R (Al-Saadoon) v Secretary of State for Defence

Subject Matter

HUMAN RIGHTS — Inhuman or degrading treatment — State’s duty to investigate alleged breach — Prohibition against torture — Iraqi civilians alleging breach of Convention rights by British soldiers in Iraq — Scope and content of state’s duty to investigate — Whether Convention against torture giving rise to domestically enforceable legal rights or affecting scope of investigative duty — Extent to which duty arising in respect of alleged mistreatment following handover of detainees to another state — Whether arising where no arguable substantive breach of Convention right — Human Rights Act 1998 (c 42), Sch 1, Pt I, art 3 — Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 1984 (1991) (Cm 1775), arts 2, 10, 11, 12, 13

[2015] EWHC 715 (Admin); [2017] QB 1015; [2015] 3 WLR 503; [2015] WLR (D) 168, QBD

[2016] EWCA Civ 811; [2017] QB 1015; [2017] 2 WLR 219; [2017] 2 All ER 453; [2016] WLR (D) 491, CA

HUMAN RIGHTS — Jurisdiction — Actions of British soldiers abroad — Iraqi civilian claimants alleging breach of Convention rights by British soldiers in Iraq — Whether within United Kingdom’s “jurisdiction” — Whether extraterritorial jurisdiction exceptional — Scope of state agent authority and control over individuals — Whether United Kingdom exercising public powers over individuals — Whether exercise of physical power and control by agents of state — Whether claimants having Convention rights — Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1953) (Cmd 8969), art 1

[2015] EWHC 715 (Admin); [2017] QB 1015; [2015] 3 WLR 503; [2015] WLR (D) 168, QBD

[2016] EWCA Civ 811; [2017] QB 1015; [2017] 2 WLR 219; [2017] 2 All ER 453; [2016] WLR (D) 491, CA

HUMAN RIGHTS — Liberty — State’s duty to investigate alleged breach — Iraqi civilians alleging breach of Convention rights by British soldiers in Iraq — Scope and content of state’s duty to investigate — Whether arising in all cases of detention — Human Rights Act 1998, Sch 1, Pt I, art 5

[2015] EWHC 715 (Admin); [2017] QB 1015; [2015] 3 WLR 503; [2015] WLR (D) 168, QBD

[2016] EWCA Civ 811; [2017] QB 1015; [2017] 2 WLR 219; [2017] 2 All ER 453; [2016] WLR (D) 491, CA

Appellate History