England and Wales Case Commentaries

Renewed Sentence Appeals: OPC Omissions, Limited Mitigation for Delay/Ill-Health, and Robust Loss of Time Orders

Date: Mar 11, 2026

Renewed Sentence Appeals: OPC Omissions, Limited Mitigation for Delay/Ill-Health, and Robust Loss of Time Orders Case: Basra, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 613 Court: England and Wales Court of Appeal...

Academic EHCP Appeals: No Appellate Determination Where No Practical Relief and No Jurisdiction for Hypothetical Declarations

Date: Mar 7, 2026

Academic EHCP Appeals: No Appellate Determination Where No Practical Relief and No Jurisdiction for Hypothetical Declarations 1) Introduction London Borough of Hillingdon v AP & Anor ([2026] EWCA Civ...

Kay v Martineau Johnson (a firm) [2026] EWCA Civ 224 — Constructive Knowledge Under s.14A Limitation Act 1980: The Proviso, Independent Advice, and the Limited Role of Impecuniosity

Date: Mar 7, 2026

Kay v Martineau Johnson (a firm) [2026] EWCA Civ 224 — Constructive Knowledge Under s.14A Limitation Act 1980: The Proviso, Independent Advice, and the Limited Role of Impecuniosity Court: England...

Siniakovich v Hassan-Soudey & Ors [2026] EWCA Civ 215 — Underpayment of Issue Fee Does Not Prevent an Action Being “Brought” for Limitation Purposes on Receipt of the Claim Form

Date: Mar 7, 2026

Underpayment of Issue Fee Does Not Prevent an Action Being “Brought” for Limitation Purposes on Receipt of the Claim Form Case: Siniakovich v Hassan-Soudey & Ors [2026] EWCA Civ 215 (CA (Civil...

Section 18(8) WIA as a Bar to Chapter II Competition Damages Where the Alleged Abuse Depends on Breach of Ofwat Licence Reporting Duties

Date: Mar 7, 2026

Section 18(8) WIA as a Bar to Chapter II Competition Damages Where the Alleged Abuse Depends on Breach of Ofwat Licence Reporting Duties 1. Introduction Roberts v Severn Trent Water Limited & Severn...

Outer-Ring Disclosure for “Crown Jewel” Supplier Lists Where Needed for Fair Conduct of Competition Proceedings

Date: Mar 7, 2026

Outer-Ring Disclosure for “Crown Jewel” Supplier Lists Where Needed for Fair Conduct of Competition Proceedings Case: Roadget Business PTE Ltd & Anor v Whaleco UK Ltd Citation: [2026] EWCA Civ 221...

Strict Hysaj-Style Discipline for UT Judicial Review and CPR 52.9 Appeals: Merits Matter Only if “Very Strong/Very Weak”, and “Serious Harm” Includes Societal Harm in Child-Sex Facilitation Offences

Date: Mar 7, 2026

Strict Hysaj-Style Discipline for UT Judicial Review and CPR 52.9 Appeals: Merits Matter Only if “Very Strong/Very Weak”, and “Serious Harm” Includes Societal Harm in Child-Sex Facilitation Offences...

Attersley v UK Insurance Ltd — Part 36.20 Fixes Costs by Reference to the Expiry of the Relevant Period, Not Later Multi-Track Allocation

Date: Mar 7, 2026

Part 36.20 Fixes Costs by Reference to the Expiry of the Relevant Period, Not Later Multi-Track Allocation 1. Introduction Attersley v UK Insurance Ltd ([2026] EWCA Civ 217, CA (Civ Div), 4 March...

CBOs require timely notice and a proven, tailored link between the offending and harassment/alarm/distress

Date: Mar 7, 2026

CBOs require timely notice and a proven, tailored link between the offending and harassment/alarm/distress Introduction In R v Simms [2026] EWCA Crim 379, the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)...

Singh, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 345 — Commentary

Date: Mar 7, 2026

Attorney-General’s Reference: Insufficient “Totality” Uplift Makes a Concurrent Sentence Unduly Lenient 1. Introduction R v Govinder Singh concerns an Attorney-General’s Reference under section 36 of...

R v Brooks [2026] EWCA Crim 410 — Section 100 CJA 2003: “Substantial Probative Value” Requires More Than General Credibility Attacks and Must Avoid Satellite Litigation

Date: Mar 7, 2026

R v Brooks [2026] EWCA Crim 410 — Section 100 CJA 2003: “Substantial Probative Value” Requires More Than General Credibility Attacks and Must Avoid Satellite Litigation 1. Introduction In Brooks, R....

Immigration Bail Is Not “Detention” for Habeas Corpus Unless Conditions Amount to a Significant Curtailment of Liberty

Date: Mar 6, 2026

Immigration Bail Is Not “Detention” for Habeas Corpus Unless Conditions Amount to a Significant Curtailment of Liberty 1. Introduction CHK, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for the Home...

Townsend v Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust: No “Clinical Decision” Carve‑Out—Life‑Sustaining Treatment for Incapacitous Adults Must Be Determined Under MCA Best Interests, with Court of Protection Resolution Where Disputed

Date: Mar 6, 2026

Townsend v Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust: No “Clinical Decision” Carve‑Out—Life‑Sustaining Treatment for Incapacitous Adults Must Be Determined Under MCA Best Interests, with...

Hadsh, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 365 — Appellate Restraint on Unduly Lenient Sentence References Where the Judge Remains Within the Guideline Range

Date: Mar 6, 2026

Appellate Restraint on Unduly Lenient Sentence References Where the Judge Remains Within the Guideline Range (Category 2B Sexual Assault) 1. Introduction R v Hadsh concerned an application by His...

When Intoxication Directions Are Unnecessary: Admissions of Intent Can Neutralise the Sheehan and Moore/Aidid Requirement

Date: Mar 6, 2026

When Intoxication Directions Are Unnecessary: Admissions of Intent Can Neutralise the Sheehan and Moore/Aidid Requirement Case: R EX - v - MATTEO BOTTARELLI Citation: [2026] EWCA Crim 383 Court:...

Closing Speeches Are Not Evidence: No Duty to Rehearse Defence Submissions When Jury Requests Copies

Date: Mar 6, 2026

Closing Speeches Are Not Evidence: No Duty to Rehearse Defence Submissions When Jury Requests Copies 1) Introduction Case: Mohammed, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 340 (CA (Crim Div)) Date: 5 March 2026...

Johnston, R. v — Sentencing Limits: No “Production” Basis Where Creation Pre-dated Criminalisation and Conviction Is for Possession

Date: Mar 5, 2026

Sentencing Limits: No “Production” Basis Where Creation Pre-dated Criminalisation and Conviction Is for Possession 1) Introduction R v Johnston ([2026] EWCA Crim 341) concerned an application for...

R v Mallinson & Brown [2026] EWCA Crim 358 — Requirement to Address Suspension Factors Where Custodial Term Is Two Years or Less

Date: Mar 5, 2026

R v Mallinson & Brown [2026] EWCA Crim 358 — Requirement to Address Suspension Factors Where Custodial Term Is Two Years or Less (and When Serious Breach of Trust Still Demands Immediate Custody) 1....

R v EGC [2026] EWCA Crim 342 — Mandatory doli incapax direction where the alleged offence may pre-date 30 September 1998

Date: Mar 4, 2026

R v EGC [2026] EWCA Crim 342 — Mandatory doli incapax direction where the alleged offence may pre-date 30 September 1998 1. Introduction This application for leave to appeal (referred by the...

Totality on Attorney-General References: Overall Sentence Controls the “Unduly Lenient” Assessment Even Where One Component Is Heavily Discounted

Date: Mar 4, 2026

Totality on Attorney-General References: Overall Sentence Controls the “Unduly Lenient” Assessment Even Where One Component Is Heavily Discounted Case: Mohammed & Anor, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 389...