England and Wales Case Commentaries

S (A Child): The Court of Appeal Re-Aligns the Article 13(b) Test – Cumulative Risk, Vulnerable Children and the Limits of “Immediate Harm”

Date: Aug 25, 2025

S (A Child) (Abduction: Article 13(b)) – Court of Appeal Clarifies the Correct, Holistic Test for “Grave Risk” and the Inadequacy of Abstract Protective Measures 1. Introduction In S (A Child)...

Farley v Paymaster (2025): No-Disclosure Infringement, “Well-Founded Fear” Test, and the Rejection of a Seriousness Threshold under Article 82 GDPR

Date: Aug 25, 2025

Farley & Ors v Paymaster (1836) Ltd (t/a Equiniti) [2025] EWCA Civ 1117— No Need for Third-Party Disclosure; No “Seriousness” Threshold; Compensation for “Well-Founded Fear” under GDPR 1....

Bad Character to Prove Identity and Purpose: Preference for s101(1)(d) over s101(1)(c) in Phone‑Assisted “Encouraging or Assisting” Offences — R v Doughty [2025] EWCA Crim 1225

Date: Aug 23, 2025

Bad Character to Prove Identity and Purpose: Preference for s101(1)(d) over s101(1)(c) in Phone‑Assisted “Encouraging or Assisting” Offences — R v Doughty [2025] EWCA Crim 1225 Introduction This...

R v AGP [2025] EWCA Crim 1364: Denial and victim‑blaming alone are insufficient to justify an extended sentence; sentencers must be positively satisfied of “significant risk” and consider SHPOs as alternatives

Date: Aug 23, 2025

R v AGP [2025] EWCA Crim 1364: Denial and victim‑blaming alone are insufficient to justify an extended sentence; sentencers must be positively satisfied of “significant risk” and consider SHPOs as...

R v Blackmore [2025] EWCA Crim 1365: Totality on Sequential Sentences for Overlapping Historic Sexual Offences Is a Discretionary, Not Automatic, Recalculation

Date: Aug 22, 2025

R v Blackmore [2025] EWCA Crim 1365: Totality on Sequential Sentences for Overlapping Historic Sexual Offences Is a Discretionary, Not Automatic, Recalculation Introduction This appeal from the Crown...

R v Selvage [2025] EWCA Crim 1536: The Burden of Proving “Reasonable Excuse” in Breach of Restraining Order Offences under s.363 Sentencing Act 2020

Date: Aug 21, 2025

R v Selvage [2025] EWCA Crim 1536: The Burden of Proving “Reasonable Excuse” in Breach of Restraining Order Offences under s.363 Sentencing Act 2020 1. Introduction This commentary analyses the...

R v Subeir [2025] EWCA Crim 1366: Duration of Involvement Does Not Determine “Role” Category in Class A Supply Sentencing

Date: Aug 20, 2025

R v Subeir [2025] EWCA Crim 1366: Duration of Involvement Does Not Determine “Role” Category in Class A Supply Sentencing Introduction This appeal from the England and Wales Court of Appeal (Criminal...

“Hollow” Cross-Undertakings and Operational-Control Injunctions: A Commentary on Yodel Delivery Network Ltd v Corlett & Ors [2025] EWCA Civ 1108

Date: Aug 18, 2025

“Hollow” Cross-Undertakings and Operational-Control Injunctions: A Commentary on Yodel Delivery Network Ltd v Corlett & Others [2025] EWCA Civ 1108 1. Introduction The Court of Appeal’s decision in...

Judicial Primacy over Medical Consensus in s41 Restriction Orders: Clarification in R v Gordon [2025] EWCA Crim 1194

Date: Aug 16, 2025

Judicial Primacy over Medical Consensus in s41 Restriction Orders: Clarification in R v Gordon [2025] EWCA Crim 1194 Introduction This commentary analyses the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)...

Smalling-Small v Home Office West Midlands: Clarifying Section 9 HRA Claims and the Threshold for Limited Civil Restraint Orders

Date: Aug 15, 2025

Smalling-Small v Home Office West Midlands: Clarifying Section 9 Human Rights Act Claims and the Threshold for Limited Civil Restraint Orders 1. Introduction In Smalling-Small v Home Office West...

The “Petrofac Costs Principle” – Rigorous Scrutiny and Detailed Justification for Interim Payments on Account in Restructuring-Plan Litigation

Date: Aug 15, 2025

The “Petrofac Costs Principle” – Rigorous Scrutiny and Detailed Justification for Interim Payments on Account in Restructuring-Plan Litigation 1. Introduction In Petrofac Ltd (Costs), Re ([2025] EWCA...

Binding Contracts by Mixed Digital Communications: Commentary on DAZN Ltd v Coupang Corp [2025] EWCA Civ 1083

Date: Aug 11, 2025

Binding Contracts by Mixed Digital Communications: The New Precedent from DAZN Ltd v Coupang Corp [2025] EWCA Civ 1083 1. Introduction The Court of Appeal’s decision in DAZN Ltd v Coupang Corp sets a...

Indecent‑Image Recidivism as Evidence of “Dangerousness” Justifying an Extended Determinate Sentence for a Single Contact Offence: Commentary on McGillivary [2025] EWCA Crim 1255

Date: Aug 9, 2025

Indecent‑Image Recidivism as Evidence of “Dangerousness” Justifying an Extended Determinate Sentence for a Single Contact Offence: Commentary on McGillivary [2025] EWCA Crim 1255 Introduction This...

R v Godlova [2025] EWCA Crim 1296: Reduced Culpability from Mental Disorder and Youth Must Inform the “Appropriate Punishment” Test and the Decision to Suspend

Date: Aug 9, 2025

R v Godlova [2025] EWCA Crim 1296: Reduced Culpability from Mental Disorder and Youth Must Inform the “Appropriate Punishment” Test and the Decision to Suspend Introduction In R v Godlova [2025] EWCA...

R v Foster [2025] EWCA Crim 1185: Oblique Death-Threat Communications Can Justify Immediate, Unsuspended Custody Even Without Express Citation of the Suspension Guideline; 10% Credit for a Day‑Two Plea to a Non‑Indicted Count

Date: Aug 9, 2025

R v Foster [2025] EWCA Crim 1185: Oblique Death-Threat Communications Can Justify Immediate, Unsuspended Custody Even Without Express Citation of the Suspension Guideline; 10% Credit for a Day‑Two...

Proving Sexual Motivation in Attempted Kidnapping and Upholding Extended Sentences for Dangerousness: R v Enodolomwanyi [2025] EWCA Crim 1295

Date: Aug 8, 2025

Proving Sexual Motivation in Attempted Kidnapping and Upholding Extended Sentences for Dangerousness: R v Enodolomwanyi [2025] EWCA Crim 1295 Introduction This commentary examines the Court of...

R v Taylor [2025] EWCA Crim 1186: Sequencing Special Custodial Sentences under s278 Sentencing Act 2020 — Extended Licence Periods Must Not Overlap with Custody

Date: Aug 8, 2025

R v Taylor [2025] EWCA Crim 1186: Sequencing Special Custodial Sentences under s278 Sentencing Act 2020 — Extended Licence Periods Must Not Overlap with Custody Introduction This commentary examines...

R v Gibson [2025] EWCA Crim 1256: Post‑sentence ADHD diagnosis insufficient to displace a dangerousness finding; pre‑sentence report not mandatory where unnecessary

Date: Aug 8, 2025

R v Gibson [2025] EWCA Crim 1256: Post‑sentence ADHD diagnosis insufficient to displace a dangerousness finding; pre‑sentence report not mandatory where unnecessary Court: England and Wales Court of...

R v Sohna [2025] EWCA Crim 1258: Liaison and Diversion reports may obviate the need for a PSR where immediate custody is inevitable; appellate deference to Newton findings and “significant role” based on message‑led evidence

Date: Aug 8, 2025

R v Sohna [2025] EWCA Crim 1258: Liaison and Diversion reports may obviate the need for a PSR where immediate custody is inevitable; appellate deference to Newton findings and “significant role”...

R v Asolo‑Ogugua [2025] EWCA Crim 1183: Cross‑Guideline Calibration and Category A Culpability for Prolonged Drowsy, Drug‑Impaired Driving

Date: Aug 7, 2025

Cross‑Guideline Calibration and Category A Culpability for Prolonged Drowsy, Drug‑Impaired Driving Case: R v Asolo‑Ogugua [2025] EWCA Crim 1183 Court: England and Wales Court of Appeal (Criminal...