England and Wales Case Commentaries

Riot-Context Burglary: Immediate Custody May Outweigh Strong Mental-Health Mitigation When Considering Suspension

Date: Apr 1, 2026

Riot-Context Burglary: Immediate Custody May Outweigh Strong Mental-Health Mitigation When Considering Suspension Case: Fairfield, R. v Neutral citation: [2026] EWCA Crim 567 Court: Court of Appeal...

Section 36 “Unduly Lenient” Correction Where the Error Lies in Failing to Impose an Extended Sentence for Dangerousness

Date: Apr 1, 2026

Section 36 “Unduly Lenient” Correction Where the Error Lies in Failing to Impose an Extended Sentence for Dangerousness Case: Wheatley-Taylor, R. v Neutral citation: [2026] EWCA Crim 446 Court: Court...

Unrepresented Defendants, Section 36 Advocates, and Section 23 Fresh Evidence: When Procedural Complaints Do Not Render Convictions Unsafe

Date: Apr 1, 2026

Unrepresented Defendants, Section 36 Advocates, and Section 23 Fresh Evidence: When Procedural Complaints Do Not Render Convictions Unsafe Court: England and Wales Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)...

“Particularly Serious” Multiple Sexual Offending Justifies a Notional Determinate Term Above 30 Years When Setting Life Minimum Terms

Date: Apr 1, 2026

“Particularly Serious” Multiple Sexual Offending Justifies a Notional Determinate Term Above 30 Years When Setting Life Minimum Terms 1) Introduction In R v Sala, R. [2026] EWCA Crim 482, the Court...

Third-Party Enforcement Payments: No Discharge Without Agency, and “Return” Defeats Later Ratification

Date: Apr 1, 2026

Third-Party Enforcement Payments: No Discharge Without Agency, and “Return” Defeats Later Ratification 1. Introduction In 56 Fellows Road Ltd v ABC Block Management Ltd [2026] EWCA Civ 401, the Court...

Persistent, Contextual Breaches Can Justify Harm Category 2 for Breach of a Restraining Order Despite a Limited Basis of Plea

Date: Apr 1, 2026

Persistent, Contextual Breaches Can Justify Harm Category 2 for Breach of a Restraining Order Despite a Limited Basis of Plea 1) Introduction In R v Vencatachellun [2026] EWCA Crim 478, the Court of...

Consecutive Sentences for Distinct People-Smuggling Conspiracies and Double-Figure Starting Points for High-Risk Organisers

Date: Apr 1, 2026

Consecutive Sentences for Distinct People-Smuggling Conspiracies and Double-Figure Starting Points for High-Risk Organisers 1. Introduction R v Mahmud, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 703 is a decision of the...

Late Appeals after Guilty Pleas: Section 45 MSA Requires an Evidential Nexus to the Specific Offence; NRM Conclusive Grounds Respected but Not Determinative

Date: Mar 30, 2026

Late Appeals after Guilty Pleas: Section 45 MSA Requires an Evidential Nexus to the Specific Offence; NRM Conclusive Grounds Respected but Not Determinative 1. Introduction Nguyen, R. v ([2026] EWCA...

Unsafe to Convict Two Defendants for the Same Injury Absent a Put and Directed Joint Enterprise Case

Date: Mar 30, 2026

Unsafe to Convict Two Defendants for the Same Injury Absent a Put and Directed Joint Enterprise Case: Alignment of Indictment, Route to Verdict, and Proof Case: CGA & Anor, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 385...

Inherent Jurisdiction to Restrict Abusive Court Correspondence Must Be Obeyed Unless Stayed or Set Aside

Date: Mar 30, 2026

Inherent Jurisdiction to Restrict Abusive Court Correspondence Must Be Obeyed Unless Stayed or Set Aside 1. Introduction Solicitor General for England and Wales v Seale [2026] EWCA Civ 362 is an...

M, Re (A Child: Costs) [2026] EWCA Civ 381 — Reaffirmation of the “No Order as to Costs” Principle on Children Appeals

Date: Mar 30, 2026

Resisting a Child Arrangements Appeal Is Not “Exceptional” Conduct: The Court of Appeal Reaffirms the No-Costs Norm in Children Proceedings 1. Introduction M, Re (A Child: Costs) [2026] EWCA Civ 381...

Davies v Lettington [2026] EWCA Civ 364 — Mandatory Adjournment to Secure Non‑Means‑Tested Legal Aid in County Court Committal Proceedings

Date: Mar 30, 2026

Mandatory Adjournment to Secure Non‑Means‑Tested Legal Aid in County Court Committal Proceedings Case: Davies v Lettington Citation: [2026] EWCA Civ 364 Court: England and Wales Court of Appeal...

Formula-Based Government Education Funding as Third-Party Consideration Creating a VAT “Direct Link”

Date: Mar 30, 2026

Formula-Based Government Education Funding as Third-Party Consideration Creating a VAT “Direct Link” Case: Commissioners for His Majesty's Revenue and Customs v Colchester Institute Corporation...

Section 57(4) TCPA 1990: Reverter Turns on the Statutory Counterfactual, Not “New Planning Unit” Extinguishment or Spatial Unity

Date: Mar 28, 2026

Section 57(4) TCPA 1990: Reverter Turns on the Statutory Counterfactual, Not “New Planning Unit” Extinguishment or Spatial Unity Case: Titchfield Festival Theatre Ltd v Secretary of State for...

Non-receipt of a Properly Served Improvement Notice May Constitute a “Reasonable Excuse” under Housing Act 2004 s.30

Date: Mar 28, 2026

Non-receipt of a Properly Served Improvement Notice May Constitute a “Reasonable Excuse” under Housing Act 2004 s.30 Case: Manchester City Council v Tabbasam Citation: [2026] EWCA Civ 361 Court:...

Causing Death by Dangerous Driving: Multiple Culpability A Features Require Category A and a 12-Year Starting Point (Unduly Lenient Sentence)

Date: Mar 28, 2026

Causing Death by Dangerous Driving: Multiple Culpability A Features Require Category A and a 12-Year Starting Point (Unduly Lenient Sentence) 1) Introduction This was an Attorney General’s Reference...

Res gestae remains admissible despite a proven lie: the test stays whether concoction or distortion can be disregarded

Date: Mar 28, 2026

Res gestae remains admissible despite a proven lie: the test stays whether concoction or distortion can be disregarded 1. Introduction In R v Shiel [2026] EWCA Crim 386, the Court of Appeal (Criminal...

Avoiding Double Counting of Psychological Harm and Properly Valuing Service Mitigation in Service-Court Rape Sentencing

Date: Mar 28, 2026

Avoiding Double Counting of Psychological Harm and Properly Valuing Service Mitigation in Service-Court Rape Sentencing Case: R v Ball (Court Martial Appeal Court) Neutral citation: [2026] EWCA Crim...

Article 6 Delay Findings Do Not, Without Linked Prejudice, Justify Re-opening Confiscation Appeals to Reduce Default Terms

Date: Mar 28, 2026

Article 6 Delay Findings Do Not, Without Linked Prejudice, Justify Re-opening Confiscation Appeals to Reduce Default Terms Case: Neophytou & Anor, R. v Neutral citation: [2026] EWCA Crim 489 Court:...

Section 11 Sexual Offences Act 2003: Permissible Inferences on Sexual Gratification Must Be Read in the Round with Clear Element-by-Element Directions

Date: Mar 28, 2026

Section 11 Sexual Offences Act 2003: Permissible Inferences on Sexual Gratification Must Be Read in the Round with Clear Element-by-Element Directions Case: R v NJT [2026] EWCA Crim 451 Court: Court...