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Boddington v British Transport Police

Hearings

05 Jul 1996 [1997] COD 3, DC (Auld LJ, Ebsworth J)

02 Apr 1998 [1998] UKHL 13; [1999] 2 AC 143; [1998] 2 WLR 639; [1998] 2 All ER 203, HL(E) (Lord Irvine of Lairg LC, Lord Browne-Wilkinson, Lord Slynn of Hadley, Lord Steyn and Lord Hoffmann)

Subject Matter

RAILWAYS — Byelaws — Validity — Byelaw banning smoking on trains — Prosecution for contravention of byelaw — Whether criminal court having jurisdiction to determine validity of byelaw in course of proceedings — Whether distinction to be drawn between substantive and procedural invalidity — Transport Act 1962, s 67 (as amended by Railways Act 1993, s 129(5)(6)(i)) — British Railways Board Railways Byelaws 1965, byelaw 20

[1998] UKHL 13; [1999] 2 AC 143; [1998] 2 WLR 639; [1998] 2 All ER 203, HL(E)

Appellate History

Boddington v British Transport Police [1997] COD 3, DC

Decision of the Divisional Court of the Queen's Bench Division affirmed on different grounds

Boddington v British Transport Police [1998] UKHL 13; [1999] 2 AC 143; [1998] 2 WLR 639; [1998] 2 All ER 203, HL(E)

Commentary

ICLR Blog
A voyage round Mr Boddington Case comment

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

Substantive Criminal Law A7.21

Blackstones Civil Practice 2023
Decisions Open to Judicial Review - Procedural exclusivity 77.6

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