England and Wales Case Commentaries

MCK (R v) [2025] EWCA Crim 1371: Age and Lack of Previous Convictions Not a Bar to a Dangerousness Finding; Extended Determinate Sentence Upheld

Date: Oct 4, 2025

MCK (R v) [2025] EWCA Crim 1371: Age and Lack of Previous Convictions Not a Bar to a Dangerousness Finding; Extended Determinate Sentence Upheld Introduction This commentary examines the decision in...

R v McNair [2025] EWCA Crim 1376: Testing the Reliability of Deceased Complainant ABE Hearsay Under s116 CJA 2003 Despite Loss of Supporting Witnesses

Date: Oct 4, 2025

R v McNair [2025] EWCA Crim 1376: Testing the Reliability of Deceased Complainant ABE Hearsay Under s116 CJA 2003 Despite Loss of Supporting Witnesses Introduction This decision of the England and...

Affirmation Keeps All Obligations Alive: Cumulative Delivery and Net Availability under EXW Instalment Sales — Commentary on Advanced Multi‑Technology (t/a Hitex) & Ors v Uniserve Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 1212

Date: Oct 3, 2025

Affirmation Keeps All Obligations Alive: Cumulative Delivery and Net Availability under EXW Instalment Sales Commentary on Advanced Multi-Technology for Medical Industry (t/a Hitex) & Ors v Uniserve...

No Mitigation Without Nexus: Fresh Psychiatric Evidence on CCRC Reference must Demonstrably Link to the Offending (R v Brogan [2025] EWCA Crim 1208)

Date: Oct 1, 2025

No Mitigation Without Nexus: Fresh Psychiatric Evidence on CCRC Reference must Demonstrably Link to the Offending (R v Brogan [2025] EWCA Crim 1208) Introduction In R v Brogan [2025] EWCA Crim 1208,...

No Agency Signature under s.53(1)(b): Corporate Execution Required, and Non‑Compliant Self‑Declared Trusts Cannot Defeat s.423 Transactions-at-Undervalue

Date: Oct 1, 2025

No Agency Signature under s.53(1)(b): Corporate Execution Required, and Non‑Compliant Self‑Declared Trusts Cannot Defeat s.423 Transactions-at-Undervalue Introduction In National Iranian Oil Company...

Baniulyte v R: No Routine Anonymity for Adult Trafficking Victims in Criminal Appeals; Convictions Unsafe Where s45 MSA Defence Was Not Put Despite Clear Indicators

Date: Sep 30, 2025

Baniulyte v R: No Routine Anonymity for Adult Trafficking Victims in Criminal Appeals; Convictions Unsafe Where s45 MSA Defence Was Not Put Despite Clear Indicators Introduction In Baniulyte v R...

Kapp: Section 117B public‑interest factors apply to revocation of deportation orders, requiring a forward‑looking assessment of financial independence

Date: Sep 30, 2025

Kapp: Section 117B public‑interest factors apply to revocation of deportation orders, requiring a forward‑looking assessment of financial independence Introduction In Secretary of State for the Home...

Deemed transfer clauses require a notice to remedy and repudiatory breaches can be “capable of remedy”: Commentary on Kulkarni v Gwent Holdings Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 1206

Date: Sep 30, 2025

Deemed transfer clauses require a notice to remedy and repudiatory breaches can be “capable of remedy” Commentary on Kulkarni v Gwent Holdings Ltd & Anor [2025] EWCA Civ 1206 (CA) Introduction The...

Full One-Third Plea Credit Preserved When Plea Is Delayed Only for Fitness-to-Plead Assessment and Intention Is Recorded: R v Muhammad [2025] EWCA Crim 1316

Date: Sep 27, 2025

Full One-Third Plea Credit Preserved When Plea Is Delayed Only for Fitness-to-Plead Assessment and Intention Is Recorded Case: Muhammad, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1316 Court: England and Wales Court of...

Cromwell (R v) [2025]: Caring Responsibilities Do Not Compel Suspension Where Offending Is Not on the Cusp; 100‑Metre Restraining Orders Upheld

Date: Sep 26, 2025

Cromwell (R v) [2025]: Caring Responsibilities Do Not Compel Suspension Where Offending Is Not on the Cusp; 100‑Metre Restraining Orders Upheld Introduction This commentary analyses the judgment of...

R v Gates [2025] EWCA Crim 1313: Prison Conditions as a “Soft Factor” in Decisions to Suspend Short Custodial Sentences

Date: Sep 26, 2025

R v Gates [2025] EWCA Crim 1313: Prison Conditions as a “Soft Factor” in Decisions to Suspend Short Custodial Sentences Introduction This commentary examines the decision of the England and Wales...

Fuller, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1318 – Commentary

Date: Sep 26, 2025

Sentencing Appeals: Failure to Spell Out “Totality” or Each Suspension Factor Will Not Reduce Sentence Unless the Overall Term Is Manifestly Excessive 1) Introduction R v Fuller concerns an appeal...

“Peace of mind” is not enough: Necessity and future-risk as the touchstones for restraining orders under s.360 Sentencing Act 2020 — R v Amri [2025] EWCA Crim 1314

Date: Sep 26, 2025

“Peace of mind” is not enough: Necessity and future-risk as the touchstones for restraining orders under s.360 Sentencing Act 2020 — R v Amri [2025] EWCA Crim 1314 Court: England and Wales Court of...

R v Grizzle [2025] EWCA Crim 1298: Category 1 harm in ABH can be proved by substantial psychological impact without psychiatric diagnosis; consecutive sentences for in‑custody assaults on prison officers upheld despite delay

Date: Sep 24, 2025

R v Grizzle [2025] EWCA Crim 1298: Category 1 harm in ABH can be proved by substantial psychological impact without psychiatric diagnosis; consecutive sentences for in‑custody assaults on prison...

No “Condition Precedent”: Defects in Section 189A Assessments Do Not Invalidate Lawful Suitability Reviews under Section 202 in Prevention Duty Cases — Fatolahzadeh v London Borough of Barnet [2025] EWCA Civ 1174

Date: Sep 23, 2025

No “Condition Precedent”: Defects in Section 189A Assessments Do Not Invalidate Lawful Suitability Reviews under Section 202 in Prevention Duty Cases — Fatolahzadeh v London Borough of Barnet [2025]...

Pre‑Action Injunction Applications Are “Proceedings”: Court of Appeal Confirms Costs/Damages Jurisdiction and Permits CPR 3.10 to Cure Wrong Form — Commentary on Gotti v Perrett [2025] EWCA Civ 1168

Date: Sep 23, 2025

Pre‑Action Injunction Applications Are “Proceedings”: Court of Appeal Confirms Costs/Damages Jurisdiction and Permits CPR 3.10 to Cure Wrong Form Case: Gotti v Perrett [2025] EWCA Civ 1168 (Court of...

R v HBF [2025] EWCA Crim 1282: Court of Appeal endorses adult‑equivalent cross‑check and permits a sub‑half youth benchmark where custody is inevitable

Date: Sep 20, 2025

R v HBF [2025] EWCA Crim 1282: Court of Appeal endorses adult‑equivalent cross‑check and permits a sub‑half youth benchmark where custody is inevitable Court: England and Wales Court of Appeal...

Minimal Privett Reduction and the Unsuspendable Floor for Category 1A Incitement in Decoy Cases: Commentary on R v Robson‑Durrance [2025] EWCA Crim 1280

Date: Sep 20, 2025

Minimal Privett Reduction and the Unsuspendable Floor for Category 1A Incitement in Decoy Cases: Commentary on R v Robson‑Durrance [2025] EWCA Crim 1280 Introduction In R v Robson‑Durrance [2025]...

Mahmood: Whole‑Course Culpability Governs Causing Death by Dangerous Driving; Category A Starting Points Apply Even to Pre‑2022 Offences, and Disqualification Must Be Recalibrated on Appeal

Date: Sep 19, 2025

Mahmood: Whole‑Course Culpability Governs Causing Death by Dangerous Driving; Category A Starting Points Apply Even to Pre‑2022 Offences, and Disqualification Must Be Recalibrated on Appeal Case: R v...

Decoupling the Statutory Minimum in Firearms Cases: R v Barrett [2025] EWCA Crim 1275

Date: Sep 19, 2025

Decoupling the Statutory Minimum in Firearms Cases: R v Barrett [2025] EWCA Crim 1275 and the Duty to Discount Guideline Starting Points Where Exceptional Circumstances Apply 1. Introduction The...