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Judicial Precedent

The Supreme Court and the Practice Statement 1966

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

London Street Tramways, the Practice Statement that freed the highest court from its own decisions, and how sparingly it has been used — Herrington, Miliangos, Shivpuri and R v G.

What you need to know

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What was the Practice Statement 1966?

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In which case was the Practice Statement first used?

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What did London Street Tramways v London County Council [1898] decide?

Questions from this subtopic

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  1. 1

    What did London Street Tramways v London County Council [1898] decide?

    Model answer

    London Street Tramways v London County Council [1898] held that the House of Lords was bound by its own previous decisions. Certainty in the law was valued above the correction of individual errors.

  2. 2

    What was the Practice Statement 1966?

    Model answer

    The Practice Statement 1966 announced that the House of Lords would treat its former decisions as normally binding. The House would nevertheless depart from a former decision when it appeared right to do so. Lord Gardiner delivered the statement on behalf of the whole House.

  3. 3

    What cautions did the Practice Statement 1966 contain?

    Model answer

    The Practice Statement warned against disturbing settled contracts, property settlements and fiscal arrangements retrospectively. The statement also stressed the especial need for certainty in the criminal law.

  4. 4

    Does the Practice Statement apply to the Supreme Court?

    Model answer

    The Supreme Court inherited the power announced in the Practice Statement when it replaced the House of Lords. Austin v Southwark London Borough Council [2010] confirmed that the power carried across.

  5. 5

    In which case was the Practice Statement first used?

    Model answer

    Conway v Rimmer [1968] was the first significant use of the Practice Statement. The House of Lords departed from Duncan v Cammell Laird [1942] on public interest immunity. Courts could then inspect documents a minister claimed were privileged.

  6. 6

    What did Herrington v British Railways Board [1972] decide?

    Model answer

    Herrington v British Railways Board [1972] imposed a duty of common humanity towards a child trespasser injured on a railway line. The House of Lords departed from Addie v Dumbreck [1929], which had denied any such duty.

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