Al-Malki v Reyes (Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs intervening)

Subject Matter

CONFLICT OF LAWS — Sovereign immunity — Diplomatic immunity — Employment — Employees performing domestic work for diplomat and wife at diplomatic residence — Claims of race discrimination served on employers’ solicitors — Whether claims validly served — Employers claiming diplomatic immunity — Whether claimants’ employment outside diplomat’s “official functions” — Whether immunity disproportionate interference with claimants’ right to fair hearing — Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964, Sch 1, art 31(1) — Human Rights Act 1998, s 3, Sch 1, arts 4, 6

UKEAT/403/12; [2014] ICR 135, EAT

CONFLICT OF LAWS — Sovereign immunity — Diplomatic immunity — Employment — Claimants employed to perform domestic work for diplomat at diplomatic residence — Claimants bringing claim against employer for race discrimination and failure to pay minimum wage — Employer claiming diplomatic immunity — Whether claimants’ employment outside diplomat’s “official functions” — Whether allegation that claimants had been trafficked affecting immunity — Whether immunity disproportionate interference with claimants’ right to fair hearing — Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964, Sch 1, arts 22, 29, 31(1) — Human Rights Act 1998, Sch 1, Pt I, arts 4, 6

[2015] EWCA Civ 32; [2016] 1 WLR 1785; [2015] ICR 931; [2016] 2 All ER 136; [2015] WLR (D) 75, CA

PRACTICE — Claim form — Service — Claimants performing domestic work for diplomat at diplomatic residence — Claimants bringing claim against diplomat for race discrimination and failure to pay minimum wage — Claim form sent by post to diplomat’s residence — Whether validly served

[2015] EWCA Civ 32; [2016] 1 WLR 1785; [2015] ICR 931; [2016] 2 All ER 136; [2015] WLR (D) 75, CA

CONFLICT OF LAWS — Sovereign immunity — Diplomatic immunity — Employment — Claimant employed to perform domestic work for diplomat at diplomatic residence — Claims of race discrimination and failure to pay minimum wage — Employer claiming diplomatic immunity — Whether claimant’s employment “commercial activity” outside diplomat’s official functions — Whether allegation claimant trafficked affecting immunity — Whether any immunity once diplomat’s posting ended — Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964 (c 81), Sch 1, arts 31(1), 39(2)

[2017] UKSC 61; [2019] AC 735; [2017] 3 WLR 923; [2017] ICR 1417; [2018] 1 All ER 629; [2017] WLR(D) 692; Case details, SC(E)

PRACTICE — Claim form — Service — Claimant performing domestic work for diplomat at diplomatic residence — Claims against diplomat of race discrimination and failure to pay minimum wage — Claim form sent to diplomat’s residence — Whether diplomat immune from service — Whether claim validly served — Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964 (c 81), Sch 1, arts 29, 30(1)

[2017] UKSC 61; [2019] AC 735; [2017] 3 WLR 923; [2017] ICR 1417; [2018] 1 All ER 629; [2017] WLR(D) 692; Case details, SC(E)

Appellate History

Commentary

UK Supreme Court Blog
New Judgment: Reyes v Al-Malki & Anor [2017] UKSC 61 UKSC Blog

Blackstones Criminal Practice 2025
Jurisdictional Immunities - Diplomatic Immunity A8.25

Blackstones Civil Practice 2023
Foreign States and Diplomats - Foreign States 14.45