Case summaries

Mr Dean, a UK citizen convicted in Taiwan of drink-driving manslaughter, fled to Scotland. The Supreme Court allowed the Lord Advocate's appeal, holding that Taiwan's assurances about prison conditions provided reasonable protection against article 3 ECHR breaches, permitting his extradition.

The Stewart brothers received heavily discounted life sentences for murder after agreeing to assist prosecutors under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. After acquittals at trial, the specified prosecutor declined to refer their sentences back for review. The Supreme Court upheld that decision, rejecting a 'change of circumstances' test.

Lambeth Council unlawfully evicted Mr Loveridge, a secure tenant, believing he had died whilst abroad. The Supreme Court held that damages under section 28 of the Housing Act 1988 must be assessed assuming the tenant retained his secure tenancy rights, awarding £90,500.

Swynson lent £15m to EMSL based on negligent due diligence by HMT accountants. Mr Hunt later personally funded EMSL's repayment of the loan. The Supreme Court held HMT escaped liability as Swynson's loss was extinguished by repayment, rejecting arguments based on res inter alios acta, transferred loss, and unjust enrichment.

The Supreme Court considered the extent of a prescriptive exclusive right to take cockles and mussels on the Wash foreshore. It held the seaward boundary fluctuates with the lowest astronomical tide, but previously separated sandbanks do not automatically become part of the fishery upon attachment.

Four Afghan unaccompanied minors challenged the rejection of their asylum claims, arguing that section 83 NIAA breached the right to an effective remedy and that the Home Secretary's failure to trace their families vitiated the decisions. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeals.

Grampian, an insolvent company, sold its principal property to Carnbroe for £550,000, well below its open market value of £800,000+. The Supreme Court held this was not adequate consideration under section 242 of the Insolvency Act 1986 but remitted to consider a flexible remedy protecting the bona fide purchaser.

Macklin was convicted of firearms offences based largely on police dock identifications. Years later, undisclosed witness statements and fingerprint evidence emerged. The Supreme Court dismissed his appeal, confirming the High Court had correctly applied the McInnes disclosure test and that the Supreme Court's jurisdiction was limited.

MSIL's liquidators sued former directors and Mrs Kohn over payments made by the London subsidiary of Bernard Madoff's business. The court dismissed all claims, finding directors acted honestly and reasonably, payments were funded by BLMIS making them cash neutral, and Mrs Kohn was not dishonest in receiving payments for legitimate services.

Dispute over control of Venezuelan Central Bank assets in England between boards appointed by rival claimants to Venezuela's presidency. The Supreme Court held that HMG's recognition of Guaidó as interim President was conclusive under the one voice principle, and that foreign act of state doctrine prevented questioning executive appointments, subject to consideration of Venezuelan Supreme Court judgments.

Two grandsons challenged their grandmother's 2016 and 2017 codicils, which revoked an earlier gift of her Devon farm to them and restored equal division between her daughters. They also claimed proprietary estoppel. The High Court dismissed both claims and granted possession to the executrix.

A Tunisian national convicted of grievous bodily harm challenged his deportation from the UK, arguing insufficient consideration of his two children's best interests under article 8 ECHR. The Supreme Court dismissed his appeal, finding the Secretary of State had adequate information and no further enquiries were required.

Two innocent BCCI employees, dismissed on redundancy after the bank's corrupt collapse, claimed stigma damages for impaired job prospects. The House of Lords held the bank breached the implied term of mutual trust and confidence, allowing recovery of foreseeable financial loss.

A building society sued its auditors for negligently advising that hedge accounting could be used for interest rate swaps. When the error was discovered, the society had to close out swaps at significant cost. The Supreme Court held the loss fell within the scope of the auditor's duty of care, clarifying the SAAMCO principle on professional advisers' liability.

Mr Pinnock's secure tenancy was demoted following anti-social behaviour by his family. Manchester City Council later sought possession. The Supreme Court held that courts must be able to assess proportionality under article 8 before making possession orders, but dismissed his appeal on the facts.

Mr Mandalia, an Indian student, applied to extend his UK visa but submitted a bank statement covering only 22 of the required 28 days. The Supreme Court held the Home Office acted unlawfully by refusing his application without first inviting him to supply the missing statements, contrary to its own evidential flexibility policy.

A Sikh boy was refused admission to a private school because he would not remove his turban to comply with uniform rules. The House of Lords held that Sikhs constitute an 'ethnic group' under the Race Relations Act 1976, and the school's rule amounted to unlawful indirect discrimination.