Case Summaries

RTI Ltd v MUR Shipping BV [2024] UKSC 18

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

MUR Shipping invoked a force majeure clause when US sanctions impeded contractual payment in US dollars. RTI offered to pay in euros instead. The Supreme Court held that reasonable endeavours in force majeure clauses do not require the affected party to accept non-contractual performance, absent clear wording. Background MUR Shipping BV (shipowner) and RTI Ltd […]…

Lifestyle Equities CV and another v Ahmed and another [2024] UKSC 17

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

Trade mark owners sued company directors as accessories for the company’s trade mark infringements. The Supreme Court held that accessory liability requires knowledge of facts making the acts infringing, even for strict liability torts. Directors are not subject to special rules but were not liable here as no such knowledge was found. Background The appellants, […]…

Argentum Exploration Ltd v Republic of South Africa [2024] UKSC 16

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

Argentum salvaged silver bars from a shipwreck belonging to South Africa and claimed salvage. The Supreme Court held South Africa was immune from the in rem claim under the State Immunity Act 1978, as the silver was intended for the non-commercial sovereign purpose of minting coinage, not in use for commercial purposes. Background In November […]…

Davies v Bridgend County Borough Council [2024] UKSC 15

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

A homeowner claimed damages for residual diminution in property value caused by Japanese Knotweed encroaching from council land. The Supreme Court held the diminution predated the council’s breach of duty (2013–2018) and was not caused by it, applying the ‘but for’ causation test. The appeal was allowed and no damages awarded. Background The respondent, Marc […]…

Sharp Corp Ltd v Viterra BV [2024] UKSC 14

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

A dispute over damages for buyer’s default under GAFTA contracts for pulses sold C&FFO Mundra. The Supreme Court held the Court of Appeal exceeded its jurisdiction under section 69 of the Arbitration Act 1996 by deciding unraised questions and making factual findings, but allowed the cross-appeal on the correct basis for assessing damages. Background This […]…

R (on the application of AM (Belarus) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2024] UKSC 13

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

A Belarusian foreign criminal deliberately thwarted his deportation by lying to Belarusian authorities, creating prolonged ‘limbo’ status in the UK without leave to remain. The Supreme Court held that refusing leave to remain did not violate Article 8 ECHR, overturning lower courts and clarifying the proportionality framework for self-induced immigration limbo cases. Background The respondent, […]…

Secretary of State for Business and Trade v Mercer [2024] UKSC 12

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

A UNISON representative was suspended for participating in lawful strike action. The Supreme Court held that section 146 of TULRCA, which provides no protection against detriment short of dismissal for lawful industrial action, is incompatible with Article 11 ECHR. A declaration of incompatibility was made. Background Fiona Mercer was employed as a support worker by […]…

Hassam and another v Rabot and another [2024] UKSC 11

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

The Supreme Court determined how damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity should be assessed when a claimant suffers both whiplash and non-whiplash injuries in the same road traffic accident. The Court upheld the ‘Sadler’ step-back approach, adding the statutory tariff for whiplash to common law damages for non-whiplash injuries, then making a rough […]…

Merticariu v Judecatoria Arad, Romania [2024] UKSC 10

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

The Supreme Court held that section 20(5) of the Extradition Act 2003 requires a requested person to have an entitlement to a retrial, not merely a right to apply for one. A retrial right contingent on a foreign court’s factual finding about deliberate absence is insufficient. The appellant’s extradition order was quashed and his discharge […]…

Bertino v Public Prosecutor’s Office, Italy [2024] UKSC 9

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

An Italian national convicted in absentia of a sexual offence challenged his extradition to Italy. The UK Supreme Court held he had not deliberately absented himself from trial, as he was never informed of criminal proceedings or the trial date, and had not unequivocally waived his right to be present. His extradition was quashed. Background […]…

Lifestyle Equities CV and another v Amazon UK Services Ltd and others [2024] UKSC 8

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

Lifestyle Equities owned UK/EU trade marks for ‘Beverly Hills Polo Club’. Amazon marketed identically branded US goods on its USA website to UK consumers. The Supreme Court held Amazon’s USA website targeted UK consumers, constituting trade mark infringement, dismissing Amazon’s appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision. Background The respondents, Lifestyle Equities CV and Lifestyle […]…

In the matter of an application by RM (a person under disability) by SM, his father and next friend (AP) for Judicial Review [2024] UKSC 7

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

A restricted patient detained under the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 challenged his continued detention when his treatment plan involved community-based leave of absence. The Supreme Court held that leave of absence under article 15 is not inconsistent with continued detention for hospital treatment, restoring the review tribunal’s decision. Background RM is a restricted […]…

Armstead v Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company Ltd [2024] UKSC 6

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

A hire car was damaged in a collision caused by the other driver’s negligence. The hirer claimed £1,560 owed to the hire company under a contractual loss-of-use clause. The Supreme Court held this consequential loss was recoverable, as the insurer failed to prove the clause was an unreasonable pre-estimate of loss. Background The appellant, Lorna […]…

Jersey Choice Ltd v His Majesty’s Treasury [2024] UKSC 5

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

Jersey Choice Ltd, a Jersey horticultural company, claimed Francovich damages against HM Treasury for removing VAT low value consignment relief on mail order goods from the Channel Islands. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, holding the charge was a fiscal measure, not a customs duty, and Jersey was a third territory to which the EU […]…

In the matter of an application by Stephen Hilland for Judicial Review [2024] UKSC 4

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

A determinate custodial sentence prisoner challenged the Department of Justice's practice of applying a 'risk of harm' test for licence revocation and recall, rather than the 'risk of serious harm' test applied to indeterminate and extended custodial sentence prisoners, alleging unjustifiable discrimination under Article 14 ECHR read with Article 5. The Supreme Court dismissed the […]…

Potanina v Potanin [2024] UKSC 3

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

The Supreme Court considered whether a respondent to a without-notice grant of leave under section 13 of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 has an unrestricted right to apply to set aside that order. The Court held (3-2) that the ‘knock-out blow’ test was wrong in law, and the respondent is entitled to a […]…

Herculito Maritime Ltd and others v Gunvor International BV and others [2024] UKSC 2 (17 January 2024)

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

The vessel MT POLAR was seized by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The shipowner claimed general average contribution from cargo interests for the ransom paid. Cargo interests argued charter insurance provisions created an 'insurance code' precluding such claims. The Supreme Court held no insurance code existed and cargo interests must contribute. Background On […]…

Paul and another v Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust [2024] UKSC 1 (11 January 2024)

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

Three families claimed damages for psychiatric illness caused by witnessing relatives die from conditions negligently left undiagnosed by doctors. The Supreme Court held that secondary victim claims require witnessing an accident, not a medical crisis from disease, and dismissed all appeals by a 6-1 majority. Background Three conjoined appeals arose from claims by close relatives […]…

Secretary of State for the Home Department v Kolicaj [2025] UKSC 49

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

The UKSC considered whether procedural fairness required the Secretary of State to offer to reconsider a citizenship deprivation decision on the merits after making it without prior representations. The Court held no fairness gap existed because the statutory appeal to the FTT provided a full merits-based remedy, not merely judicial review. Background Mr Gjelosh Kolicaj, […]…

Evans v Barclays Bank Plc and others [2025] UKSC 48

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

The Supreme Court considered whether FX trading competition law claims should proceed as opt-out collective proceedings. The Court allowed the appeal, finding the Competition Appeal Tribunal was entitled to refuse opt-out certification given the weakness of the claims on causation and the practicability of opt-in proceedings for substantial claimants. Background This appeal concerned the collective […]…

In the matter of an application by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for Judicial Review [2025] UKSC 47

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

The Secretary of State challenged a coroner’s decision to disclose gists of PII-protected information in an inquest into a 1994 Troubles-related murder. The Supreme Court held that reviewing courts must independently assess the public interest balance under PII principles, not merely apply ordinary judicial review standards, and allowed the appeal preventing disclosure. Background This appeal […]…

Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs v Hotel La Tour Ltd [2025] UKSC 46

Example case summary. Last modified: March 17, 2026

Hotel La Tour Ltd sold shares in its subsidiary to fund a new hotel project and sought to deduct VAT on professional fees incurred for the sale. The Supreme Court held the input VAT was not deductible because the fees were directly and immediately linked to the exempt share sale, not to HLT’s general taxable […]…

Veale and others v Scottish Power UK Plc [2025] UKSC 45

Example case summary. Last modified: March 15, 2026

The family of Robert Crozier, who died of mesothelioma after previously settling an asbestos claim, sought damages under the Damages (Scotland) Act 2011. The Supreme Court held that section 5 applied regardless of whether the deceased had mesothelioma at the time liability was discharged, dismissing Scottish Power’s appeal. Background Robert Crozier was employed by Scottish […]…

X (Appellant) v The Lord Advocate (Respondent) [2025] UKSC 44

Example case summary. Last modified: March 15, 2026

A legal practitioner alleged sexual assault and harassment by a Scottish sheriff and sought to hold the Crown vicariously liable. The Supreme Court held the Crown was not vicariously liable because the relationship between a sheriff and the Scottish Government is not akin to employment, given judicial independence and lack of governmental control. Background The […]…

Mitchell & anor v Sheikh Mohamed Bin Issa Al Jaber [2025] UKSC 43

Example case summary. Last modified: March 15, 2026

Liquidators of a BVI company sued its director, Sheikh Al Jaber, for dishonestly transferring 891,761 shares to a related company after the company entered liquidation. The Supreme Court held the Sheikh breached fiduciary duty by purporting to act as director, and restored the trial judge’s award of €67.1 million in equitable compensation. Full case ref: […]…

Simkova v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2025] UKSC 41

Example case summary. Last modified: March 15, 2026

A Slovakian national resident in the UK claimed the child element of universal credit for her son living in Slovakia, arguing it was an exportable ‘family benefit’ under the EU Coordination Regulation. The Supreme Court held that the child element is not a separate benefit but an integrated component of UC, which as a whole […]…

Application by JR87 and another for Judicial Review (Appellant) [2025] UKSC 40

Example case summary. Last modified: March 15, 2026

A humanist father and his young daughter challenged Christian religious education and collective worship at a Northern Ireland primary school as breaching Article 2 Protocol 1 ECHR. The Supreme Court held the parental right of withdrawal was insufficient to prevent a breach, as it was capable of placing an undue burden on parents and risking […]…

King Crude Carriers SA and others v Ridgebury November LLC and others [2025] UKSC 39

Example case summary. Last modified: March 14, 2026

Buyers of three vessels failed to provide documentation needed to open escrow accounts for 10% deposits under Norwegian Saleform contracts. The Supreme Court held there is no ‘Mackay v Dick’ principle of deemed fulfilment of conditions precedent in English law, so sellers could only claim damages, not the deposits as debts. Background Between 28 and […]…

Daly v His Majesty’s Advocate [2025] UKSC 38

Example case summary. Last modified: March 21, 2026

Mr Daly appealed his conviction for sexual offences against two complainers, arguing his Article 6 fair trial rights were infringed because he could not cross-examine a complainer on an uncharged allegation to challenge her credibility, and that his defence counsel’s failure to apply under section 275 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 constituted defective […]…

Barnett v Chelsea and Kensington Hospital [1968] 2 WLR 422

Example case summary. Last modified: March 13, 2026

Three night-watchmen attended hospital after vomiting from arsenic-laced tea. The casualty officer refused to examine them, sending them home. Mr Barnett died of arsenic poisoning. His widow’s negligence claim failed because even proper treatment would not have saved him, establishing a key ‘but for’ causation precedent. Background On 1 January 1966, three night-watchmen from the […]…

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust v Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs [2025] UKSC 37

Example case summary. Last modified: March 13, 2026

An NHS Trust claimed it was not liable for VAT on hospital car parking charges, arguing it acted as a public authority under a special legal regime. The Supreme Court held that mere guidance and public law duties to follow it did not constitute a special legal regime, and allowed HMRC’s appeal. Background Northumbria Healthcare […]…

Process & Industrial Developments Limited v The Federal Republic of Nigeria [2025] UKSC 36

Example case summary. Last modified: March 13, 2026

P&ID sought costs awarded in Nigerian naira rather than sterling following Nigeria’s successful challenge to fraudulently obtained arbitration awards. The Supreme Court held that costs orders should be made in the currency in which the solicitor billed and the client paid, not the currency reflecting the receiving party’s underlying loss. Background This appeal arose from […]…

C G Fry & Son Limited v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2025] UKSC 35

Example case summary. Last modified: March 12, 2026

A developer with outline planning permission for 650 dwellings challenged whether phosphate impacts on a Ramsar site could block discharge of conditions. The Supreme Court held that regulation 63 of the Habitats Regulations requires appropriate assessment at later planning stages, but national planning policy (NPPF) cannot override rights conferred by an existing outline planning permission. […]…

The Prudential Assurance Company Ltd v Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs [2025] UKSC 34

Example case summary. Last modified: March 12, 2026

Prudential challenged VAT on success fees paid to Silverfleet for fund management services performed when both were in the same VAT group, but invoiced years after Silverfleet left the group. The Supreme Court held VAT was payable because the time of supply rules and Article 64 of the PVD treated the contingent success fees as […]…

Hopcraft v Close Brothers Ltd [2025] UKSC 33

Example case summary. Last modified: March 12, 2026

Car customers claimed undisclosed commissions paid by finance lenders to motor dealers constituted bribes or breaches of fiduciary duty. The Supreme Court held dealers owed no fiduciary duty to customers when arranging finance, as they remained arm’s length sellers throughout. Bribery and equity claims failed, but one customer’s unfair relationship claim under the Consumer Credit […]…

Wathen-Fayed v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities [2025] UKSC 32

Example case summary. Last modified: March 12, 2026

The Supreme Court considered whether the definition of ‘crematorium’ under section 2 of the Cremation Act 1902 includes areas for the disposal or storage of ashes, for the purpose of the 200-yard radius clause prohibition in section 5 restricting siting near dwelling houses. Background Horizon Cremation Limited (‘Horizon’) sought planning permission from Tandridge District Council […]…

D.E.L.T.A. Merseyside Ltd v Uber Britannia Ltd [2025] UKSC 31

Example case summary. Last modified: March 12, 2026

Uber sought a declaration that the 1976 Act required all private hire vehicle operators outside London to accept bookings only by contracting as principal to provide the journey. The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the appeal, holding the Act imposed no such requirement, and operators could lawfully use agency or intermediary booking models. Background The appeal […]…

Shvidler v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs [2025] UKSC 30

Example case summary. Last modified: March 12, 2026

A British citizen (Shvidler) and a yacht owner (Dalston Projects) challenged UK sanctions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Supreme Court upheld both sanctions as proportionate, finding rational connections to the legitimate aim of pressuring Russia, though Lord Leggatt dissented on Shvidler’s designation as unjust and disproportionate. Background These conjoined appeals concerned challenges to […]…

R v Hayes; R v Palombo [2025] UKSC 29

Example case summary. Last modified: March 12, 2026

Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo were convicted of conspiracy to defraud for attempting to manipulate LIBOR and EURIBOR benchmark interest rates. The Supreme Court quashed both convictions, holding that trial judges wrongly directed juries that taking account of trading advantage automatically meant submissions were not genuine — a question of fact for the jury, not […]…

Stevens v Hotel Portfolio II UK Ltd [2025] UKSC 28

Example case summary. Last modified: March 12, 2026

HPII’s director secretly bought company hotels, made £102m profit held on constructive trust for HPII, then dissipated it. Stevens dishonestly assisted both the profit-making and dissipation. The Supreme Court held Stevens liable to compensate HPII for the lost trust property despite the profit-making causing HPII no original loss. Background Hotel Portfolio II UK Ltd (‘HPII’) […]…

Department for Business and Trade v The Information Commissioner [2025] UKSC 27

Example case summary. Last modified: March 12, 2026

The Supreme Court considered whether, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, where multiple qualified exemptions apply to requested information, the public interest factors favouring non-disclosure can be assessed cumulatively across exemptions rather than independently for each. By a 3-2 majority, the Court held the cumulative approach is correct. Background In November 2017, journalist Brendan […]…

Standish v Standish [2025] UKSC 26

Example case summary. Last modified: March 12, 2026

In divorce proceedings, a husband transferred £80 million to his wife for inheritance tax planning purposes, intending she would place assets in trusts for their children. The Supreme Court held this transfer did not ‘matrimonialise’ the husband’s pre-marital assets, clarifying that the sharing principle applies only to matrimonial property. Background The appellant wife and respondent […]…

Iconix Luxembourg Holdings SARL v Dream Pairs Europe Inc [2025] UKSC 25

Example case summary. Last modified: March 12, 2026

Iconix (UMBRO brand owner) sued Dream Pairs for trade mark infringement, alleging their DP Sign on football boots was confusingly similar to UMBRO Trade Marks. The Supreme Court allowed Dream Pairs’ appeal, restoring the trial judge’s finding of no infringement, holding the Court of Appeal had no proper basis to substitute its own multi-factorial assessment. […]…

Commissioners for HMRC v Dolphin Drilling Ltd [2025] UKSC 24

Example case summary. Last modified: March 11, 2026

Dolphin Drilling leased a tender support vessel (the Borgsten) to provide drilling support and accommodation at an oil platform. The Supreme Court held that providing accommodation to offshore workers was an independent use, not ‘incidental to’ drilling support services, and therefore the statutory hire cap on connected-party lease deductions applied. Background Dolphin Drilling Ltd (‘Dolphin’) […]…

Andrysiewicz v Circuit Court in Lodz, Poland [2025] UKSC 23

Example case summary. Last modified: March 11, 2026

The Supreme Court resolved conflicting approaches to whether English courts assessing Article 8 ECHR proportionality in extradition cases should evaluate the likelihood of early release under Polish law. The Court held that only the bare possibility of early release should be acknowledged, carrying little weight, and courts should not predict outcomes of Polish early release […]…

Waller-Edwards v One Savings Bank Plc [2025] UKSC 22

Example case summary. Last modified: March 11, 2026

A wife’s home was remortgaged partly to discharge her partner’s personal debts. The Supreme Court held that a lender is put on inquiry of possible undue influence in any non-commercial hybrid loan transaction containing a more than de minimis suretyship element, rejecting the Court of Appeal’s ‘fact and degree’ test in favour of a bright […]…

URS Corporation Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd [2025] UKSC 21

Example case summary. Last modified: March 11, 2026

Developer BDW sued structural engineer URS for costs of remedying safety defects in residential buildings discovered post-Grenfell. The Supreme Court held that voluntarily incurred repair costs are not irrecoverable as a matter of law, that the Building Safety Act 2022 retrospectively extends limitation periods to related negligence and contribution claims, that developers are owed duties […]…

Darwall v Dartmoor National Park Authority [2025] UKSC 20

Example case summary. Last modified: March 11, 2026

Landowners sought a declaration that the public had no right to wild camp on Dartmoor Commons under section 10(1) of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985. The Supreme Court held that ‘open-air recreation’ includes camping, and the words ‘on foot and on horseback’ describe the means of access, not the permitted activities. The appeal was dismissed. […]…

U3 v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] UKSC 19

Example case summary. Last modified: March 11, 2026

A British citizen deprived of citizenship for alleged ISIL alignment challenged SIAC’s approach to national security assessments. The Supreme Court held SIAC reviews the rationality of the Secretary of State’s risk assessment using administrative law principles, not by making its own factual findings on the balance of probabilities. Appeal dismissed. Background The appellant, designated U3, […]…

Bilta (UK) Ltd v Tradition Financial Services Ltd [2025] UKSC 18

Example case summary. Last modified: March 11, 2026

The Supreme Court held that section 213 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (fraudulent trading) is not limited to company insiders but extends to outsiders who knowingly participate in a company’s fraudulent business. The Court also held that two dissolved-then-restored companies failed to prove entitlement to postponement of limitation under section 32 of the Limitation Act […]…