Case summaries

General Dynamics sought to enforce an ICC arbitration award against Libya in England. The key issue was whether service of enforcement proceedings against a foreign state must comply with section 12(1) of the State Immunity Act 1978, requiring transmission through diplomatic channels even when such service is impossible or unduly difficult.

Fiona George sued Linda Cannell for malicious falsehood after false statements were made about post-employment contractual obligations. The Supreme Court held that section 3(1) of the Defamation Act 1952 renders malicious falsehood actionable per se, but damages for mental distress cannot be awarded where no financial loss was caused.

The High Court considered whether the AI model Stable Diffusion infringed Getty Images’ intellectual property rights through the generation of images containing Getty-style watermarks and through its distribution in the UK. The court found limited trade mark infringement (in relation to certain iStock-style watermarks) but rejected most of Getty’s remaining claims.

A district judge raised concerns about court cuts and suffered alleged detriments. The Supreme Court held that whilst judges are not 'workers' under the Employment Rights Act 1996, excluding them from whistle-blowing protection breached Article 14 ECHR, requiring the statute to be read to include them.

Mrs Gill left her £1m farm to the RSPCA, disinheriting her only daughter. The Court of Appeal revoked probate, finding Mrs Gill's severe agoraphobia meant she did not know or approve of the will's contents when executed at her solicitor's office.

Mr Gillett worked devotedly for Mr Holt for nearly 40 years, relying on repeated assurances he would inherit the farming business. After a falling out, Mr Holt changed his will in favour of Mr Wood. The Court of Appeal upheld Mr Gillett's proprietary estoppel claim.

Geoffrey Gillett worked loyally for farmer Kenneth Holt for nearly 40 years, relying on repeated assurances that he would inherit Holt's farming business. When Holt changed his will in favour of David Wood and dismissed Gillett, the Court of Appeal upheld Gillett's proprietary estoppel claim.

Michael Gwilliam's four daughters successfully challenged his 2014 will, which had reduced their inheritance in favour of his sister, nephew, and companion. The High Court held the will invalid for lack of testamentary capacity due to insane delusions caused by organic brain disease.

Charterers repudiated a two-year charterparty extension of the New Flamenco. The owners sold the vessel shortly after, avoiding a significant market drop by 2009. The Supreme Court held owners need not credit the charterers with this capital benefit, as it was not caused by the breach.

Mrs Gohil sought to set aside a 2004 consent financial order on the ground of her former husband's fraudulent non-disclosure of assets. The Supreme Court held that Ladd v Marshall principles do not apply to such applications and reinstated the trial judge's order.

Goldman Sachs, as assignee of Oak Finance, sued Novo Banco in England for a loan originally made to Portuguese bank BES. The Supreme Court held that a Portuguese Central Bank decision determining the loan liability was never transferred to Novo Banco must be recognised in England under the Reorganisation Directive, defeating jurisdiction.

Goldtrail obtained judgment against Onur Air for £3.64m. Onur appealed but was ordered to pay the sum into court as a condition. Onur claimed this stifled its appeal. The Supreme Court clarified the test for assessing whether a third party's funds can be considered when determining stifling.

Two Polish nationals challenged European Arrest Warrants seeking their extradition to serve sentences in Poland, arguing the warrants failed to particularise domestic warrants and activation decisions. The Supreme Court dismissed both appeals, clarifying EAW content requirements under section 2(6) of the Extradition Act 2003.

The Good Law Project and three individuals challenged EHRC guidance issued after For Women Scotland concerning single-sex facilities. The High Court held the guidance was lawful, the Good Law Project lacked standing, and no Convention rights were breached. The claim was dismissed.

Trustees sued their solicitors for negligently drafted notices to quit which failed to terminate agricultural leases. The Supreme Court held the claim had prescribed under the five-year short negative prescription, as time ran from when the trustees incurred expenditure, not when loss was discovered.

The appellant, convicted of rape in 2002 based partly on admissions made during a police interview without legal representation, sought to have his case referred back to the High Court following Cadder. The Supreme Court upheld the Commission's refusal, finding it properly considered the interests of justice and finality.