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Belhaj v Straw

Hearings

20 Dec 2013 [2013] EWHC 4111 (QB); [2013] CN 2034, QBD (Simon J)

30 Oct 2014 (United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture intervening) [2014] EWCA Civ 1394; [2017] AC 964; [2015] 2 WLR 1105; [2016] 1 All ER 121; [2014] WLR (D) 459, CA (Lord Dyson MR, Lloyd Jones, Sharp LJJ)

22 Dec 2014 Permission to appeal to Supreme Court given

17 Jan 2017 (United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture intervening) [2017] UKSC 3; [2017] AC 964; [2017] 2 WLR 456; [2017] 3 All ER 337; [2017] WLR (D) 51; Case details, SC(E)

Additional names

Rahmatullah v Ministry of Defence (No 2) (United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture intervening)

Subject Matter

PRACTICE — Pleadings — Non-justiciable issue — Claimants claiming damages for unlawful detention and mistreatment in four foreign states — Whether doctrines of state immunity and act of state operating as bar to claim — Whether English court lacking jurisdiction to hear claims — Whether claims non-justiciable — CPR r 3.1(2)(l)

[2013] EWHC 4111 (QB); [2013] CN 2034, QBD

CONFLICT OF LAWS — Sovereign immunity — Act of state — Claims for damages for unlawful detention and mistreatment in various foreign states and on board United States aircraft — Claimants alleging participation of members of United Kingdom executive, intelligence services and government departments — Whether doctrines of state immunity and act of state operating as bar to claim — Whether claim falling within public policy limitation on doctrine of act of state — Whether English court lacking jurisdiction to hear claim — Whether claim non-justiciable — Whether determination of applicable law appropriate

[2014] EWCA Civ 1394; [2017] AC 964; [2015] 2 WLR 1105; [2016] 1 All ER 121; [2014] WLR (D) 459, CA

[2017] UKSC 3; [2017] AC 964; [2017] 2 WLR 456; [2017] 3 All ER 337; [2017] WLR (D) 51; Case details, SC(E)

Appellate History

Belhaj v Straw [2013] EWHC 4111 (QB); [2013] CN 2034, QBD

Decision of Simon J reversed in part

Belhaj v Straw [2014] EWCA Civ 1394; [2017] AC 964; [2015] 2 WLR 1105; [2016] 1 All ER 121; [2014] WLR (D) 459, CA

Decision of the Court of Appeal affirmed on different grounds

Belhaj v Straw [2017] UKSC 3; [2017] AC 964; [2017] 2 WLR 456; [2017] 3 All ER 337; [2017] WLR (D) 51; Case details, SC(E)

Al-Waheed v Ministry of Defence [2014] EWHC 2714 (QB); [2014] CN 1592, QBD

Decision of Leggatt J affirmed

Belhaj v Straw [2014] EWCA Civ 1394; [2017] AC 964; [2015] 2 WLR 1105; [2016] 1 All ER 121; [2014] WLR (D) 459, CA

Commentary

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

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