header-logo header-logo

Human rights—Sark—Right to free elections

10 December 2009
Issue: 7397 / Categories: Case law , Law reports
printer mail-detail

R (on the application of Barclay and others) v Secretary of State for Justice and the Lord Chancellor and others [2009] UKSC 9, [2009] All ER (D) 15 (Dec)

Supreme Court, Lord Hope DP, Lord Scott, Lord Brown, Lord Collins SCJJ and Lord Neuberger MR, 1 December 2009

There is no narrow focus on one particular element of democracy under Art 3 of the First Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights. The electoral rules have to be looked at in the round, and in the light of historical and political factors. Moreover, the rights under that article belong to citizens and not to aliens, and therefore a prohibition on aliens standing for the legislature is not a breach thereof.

David Pannick QC, James Michael Dingemans QC and Jessica Simor (instructed by Withers LLP (UK) and Ozannes (Guernsey)) for the first two claimants. The third claimant appeared in person. Jonathan Crow QC and Ben Hooper (instructed by the Treasury Solicitors) for the defendants.

Sark was a Channel Island populated by about 600. Its

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
back-to-top-scroll