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20 July 2012
Issue: 7523 / Categories: Case law , Law digest , In Court
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Human rights

R (on the application of Harrow Community Support Unit) v Secretary of State for Defence [2012] All ER (D) 96 (Jul)

Applying established principles, the proposed deployment of anti-aircraft missiles on a residential building during the Olympic Games was clearly within the ambit of the secretary of state’s discretionary power and the decision had been made in good faith. There had been no statutory obligation to consult identified. If anything, the legislative scheme appeared to militate against any duty to consult. The proposed deployment fell within the scheme under the Town and Country Act 1990 for emergency development by the Crown, which disposed of the need for planning permission or consultation. Furthermore, there was no evidence that there had been a promise to consult, nor evidence of it having been past practice to consult in respect of deployment decisions, nor could it be said to be conspicuously unfair not to do so. In any event, the Ministry of Defence had voluntarily engaged with the community and residents and its consultation had been immaculate.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Cripps—Radius Law

Cripps—Radius Law

Commercial and technology practice boosted by team hire

Switalskis—Grimsby

Switalskis—Grimsby

Firm expands with new Grimsby office to serve North East Lincolnshire

Slater Heelis—Will Newman & Lucy Spilsbury

Slater Heelis—Will Newman & Lucy Spilsbury

Property team boosted by two solicitor appointments

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Recent allegations surrounding Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have reignited scrutiny of the ancient common law offence of misconduct in public office. Writing in NLJ this week, Simon Parsons, teaching fellow at Bath Spa University, asks whether their conduct could clear a notoriously high legal hurdle
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