England and Wales Case Commentaries

Rehabilitation and the “Very Compelling Circumstances” Test under s.117C(6) NIAA: Commentary on Majera v SSHD [2025] EWCA Civ 1597

Date: Dec 11, 2025

Rehabilitation and the “Very Compelling Circumstances” Test under s.117C(6) NIAA: Commentary on Majera v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWCA Civ 1597 1. Introduction This...

Real and Practical Entitlement to Possession: General Application of the Rossendale Principle in Non‑Domestic Rating – Commentary on Emeraldshaw Ltd v Sheffield Magistrates’ Court [2025] EWCA Civ 1601

Date: Dec 11, 2025

Real and Practical Entitlement to Possession: General Application of the Rossendale Principle in Non‑Domestic Rating Commentary on Emeraldshaw Ltd, R (On the Application Of) v Sheffield Magistrates'...

D (A Child) (Recusal) [2025] EWCA Civ 1570 – Recusal, Apparent Bias and the Integrity of Prior Findings

Date: Dec 11, 2025

D (A Child) (Recusal) [2025] EWCA Civ 1570 – Recusal, Apparent Bias and the Integrity of Prior Findings 1. Introduction The Court of Appeal’s decision in D (A Child) (Recusal) [2025] EWCA Civ 1570...

Global Sentencing for Multi-Victim Fraud: Guidelines Are Not Mechanistic and Harm Can Be Uplifted Where Some Victims Suffer Serious Detriment

Date: Dec 11, 2025

Global Sentencing for Multi-Victim Fraud: Guidelines Are Not Mechanistic and Harm Can Be Uplifted Where Some Victims Suffer Serious Detriment 1. Introduction R v Daim ([2025] EWCA Crim 1776)...

R v Ahmed: Admissibility of a Third Party’s Terrorism Convictions and Preparatory Conduct to Prove a Defendant’s “Knowledge or Belief” under Terrorism Act 2000 s.38B

Date: Dec 11, 2025

R v Ahmed: Admissibility of a Third Party’s Terrorism Convictions and Preparatory Conduct to Prove a Defendant’s “Knowledge or Belief” under Terrorism Act 2000 s.38B 1. Introduction R. v Ahmed [2025]...

Unduly Lenient Sentence References: Appellate Intervention Not Aimed at Marginal Differences Within the Proper Sentencing Range

Date: Dec 11, 2025

Unduly Lenient Sentence References: Appellate Intervention Not Aimed at Marginal Differences Within the Proper Sentencing Range 1. Introduction R. v Lawrie ([2025] EWCA Crim 1732) concerned an...

R v Gilder: A “High Hurdle” for Late, Wholesale New Grounds of Appeal (and Limits of Speculative Jury-Irregularity Claims)

Date: Dec 11, 2025

R v Gilder: A “High Hurdle” for Late, Wholesale New Grounds of Appeal (and Limits of Speculative Jury-Irregularity Claims) 1) Introduction This decision of the England and Wales Court of Appeal...

Restraining Orders on Conviction under Sentencing Act 2020 s.360: No “Course of Conduct” Requirement, but Necessity Requires an Evidential Basis

Date: Dec 11, 2025

Restraining Orders on Conviction under Sentencing Act 2020 s.360: No “Course of Conduct” Requirement, but Necessity Requires an Evidential Basis 1. Introduction Amoah, R. v ([2025] EWCA Crim 1770) is...

Manley, R. v — Sentencing: Imminent Intent to Kill as a Guideline-External Aggravating Factor Requiring Immediate Custody

Date: Dec 10, 2025

Manley, R. v — Sentencing: Imminent Intent to Kill as a Guideline-External Aggravating Factor Requiring Immediate Custody 1. Introduction In Manley, R. v ([2025] EWCA Crim 1731), the England and...

Extended Sentences May Properly Exceed 30+ Years Where Serial Online Child Sexual Abuse Escalates to Attempted Murder

Date: Dec 10, 2025

Extended Sentences May Properly Exceed 30+ Years Where Serial Online Child Sexual Abuse Escalates to Attempted Murder 1. Introduction Dismore, R. v ([2025] EWCA Crim 1775, 9 December 2025) concerns...

R v Ubido: When Section 30 Sentencing Act 2020 Requires a Pre-Sentence Report for a Potentially Suspendable Custodial Term Where Mental Health is Raised

Date: Dec 10, 2025

R v Ubido: When Section 30 Sentencing Act 2020 Requires a Pre-Sentence Report for a Potentially Suspendable Custodial Term Where Mental Health is Raised Citation: [2025] EWCA Crim 1816 Court: England...

Assault by Penetration: Significant Injury and Violence Beyond the Act Requires Category 2 Harm (Starting Point 6 Years)

Date: Dec 10, 2025

Assault by Penetration: Significant Injury and Violence Beyond the Act Requires Category 2 Harm (Starting Point 6 Years) 1. Introduction R. v NEL ([2025] EWCA Crim 1750) is an unduly lenient sentence...

Sentencing Conspiracy Kidnap-for-Ransom: Applying Needham Seriousness Factors and Uplifting for Concurrent Blackmail (with Correct Youth Disposal)

Date: Dec 10, 2025

Sentencing Conspiracy Kidnap-for-Ransom: Applying Needham Seriousness Factors and Uplifting for Concurrent Blackmail (with Correct Youth Disposal) 1. Introduction Rathoor & Ors, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim...

R v YDW [2025] EWCA Crim 1818 — Appellate Non‑Aggravation (s.11(3)) and No Victim Surcharge for Pre‑Commencement Sexual Offences

Date: Dec 10, 2025

R v YDW [2025] EWCA Crim 1818: Appellate Non‑Aggravation under s.11(3) and the Inapplicability of the Victim Surcharge to Pre‑Commencement Offending 1. Introduction This appeal concerned sentence...

Threats to Kill: Imminent Steps Toward Execution Justify Movement Beyond Guideline “Category” Gravity

Date: Dec 10, 2025

Threats to Kill: Imminent Steps Toward Execution Justify Movement Beyond Guideline “Category” Gravity 1. Introduction Benson, R. v ([2025] EWCA Crim 1772) concerns an applicant who pleaded guilty to...

Gibson v TSE Malta LP (t/a Betfair): Breach of Gambling Commission Licence Conditions Does Not Void Gambling Contracts

Date: Dec 9, 2025

Gibson v TSE Malta LP (t/a Betfair): Breach of Gambling Commission Licence Conditions Does Not Void Gambling Contracts Introduction The Court of Appeal in Gibson v TSE Malta LP (t/a Betfair) [2025]...

Reasonableness of Service Charge Costs Under Long‑Term Contracts: Spender & Ors v Fit Nominee Ltd & Anor [2025] EWCA Civ 1578

Date: Dec 8, 2025

Reasonableness of Service Charge Costs Under Long‑Term Contracts: Spender & Ors v Fit Nominee Ltd & Anor [2025] EWCA Civ 1578 1. Introduction This Court of Appeal decision provides an important...

Real Risk, Not Mere Possibility: Interpreting “Could” in GEN 3.1 of Appendix FM – Commentary on Secretary of State for the Home Department v Khera [2025] EWCA Civ 1571

Date: Dec 8, 2025

Real Risk, Not Mere Possibility: Interpreting “Could” in GEN 3.1 of Appendix FM Commentary on Secretary of State for the Home Department v Khera [2025] EWCA Civ 1571 1. Introduction This Court of...

Real Risk of Foreign Prosecution, Not Regulatory Confidentiality Alone, Justifies Withholding Disclosure: Commentary on Persons Identified in Schedule 1 to the RRAPC v Standard Chartered plc [2025] EWCA Civ 1581

Date: Dec 8, 2025

Real Risk of Foreign Prosecution, Not Regulatory Confidentiality Alone, Justifies Withholding Disclosure: Commentary on Persons Identified in Schedule 1 to the Re‑Re‑Amended Particulars of Claim v...

OM v Secretary of State: Opportunistic Sur Place Activity, Kurdish “Hair‑Trigger” Risk and Fact‑Sensitive Risk Assessment on Return to Iran

Date: Dec 8, 2025

OM v Secretary of State: Opportunistic Sur Place Activity, Kurdish “Hair‑Trigger” Risk and Fact‑Sensitive Risk Assessment on Return to Iran 1. Introduction The Court of Appeal’s decision in OM v...