R v Henn

Subject Matter

CRIME — Obscene libel — Obscene article — Prohibition on import — Importation from member state of European Economic Community — Whether prohibition total — Whether excluded by EEC Treaty — Whether question referable to European Court of Justice — Whether prohibition “justified” — Public morality or public policy — Customs Consolidation Act 1876, s 42 — Customs and Excise Act 1952, s 304 — EEC Treaty (Cmnd 5179—II), arts 30, 36

[1978] 1 WLR 1031

EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE — Reference to — Whether necessary — Import prohibition on indecent or obscene articles — Whether justified on grounds of public morality or public policy — Whether referable — Customs Consolidation Act 1876, s 42 — EEC Treaty (Cmnd 5179-II) arts 30, 36, 177

[1978] 1 WLR 1031

CRIME — Obscene libel — Obscene article — Prohibition on import — Importation from member state of European Economic Community — Whether total prohibition equivalent to quantitative restriction on import — Exception for prohibition based on public morality — Criteria of public morality — Exception relating to pre-existing treaty obligations — Customs Consolidation Act 1876, s 42 — Customs and Excise Act 1952, s 304 — EEC Treaty (Cmnd 5179-II), arts 30, 36, 234

[1981] AC 850; [1978] 1 WLR 1031; [1980] 2 WLR 597

Appellate History

Commentary

Blackstones Criminal Practice 2025
Defences Denying Basic Elements of Liability - Mistake of Law and Similar Defences A3.11

Blackstones Civil Practice 2023
Discretionary References - Guidelines for discretionary references - Acte clair 78.9