December 20, 2025
Christie v Leachinsky [1947] UKHL 2
Police arrested Leachinsky for 'unlawful possession' under the Liverpool Corporation Act, knowing they lacked authority to arrest without warrant on that charge. They actually suspected felony but never informed him. The House of Lords held that a person arrested must be informed of the true reason for arrest, establishing fundamental principles protecting individual liberty. Facts The respondent, Leachinsky, was arrested by Liverpool police officers (the appellants) at his warehouse on 31 August 1942. The officers arrested him on a charge of ‘unlawful possession’ of cloth under section 507 of the Liverpool Corporation Act 1921. However, the appellants knew that under
