TERM 1 - LAW
Doctrine of Judicial Precedent
The decisions that judges make create law for future judges
Example of Judicial Precedent
Shaw v DPP (1962) - The defendant published a ‘ladies directory’ which listed contact details of sex workers. He was convicted of conspiracy to corrupt public morals. Defendant appealed on the grounds that the Obscene Publications Act 1959 but the Court held by the court that what is unacceptable changes over time.
Knuller v DPP (1973) - The defendant published a progressive magazine that allowed advertisements from homosexuals to meet up for sexual relations. Charged with conspiracy to corrupt public morals.
What is an Appellate Court?
These courts only hear appeals and are the only courts that can change precedent. If you disagree with the outcome of your case, you can ask a higher court to look at the decision again (an appeal).
What is a Trial Court or Courts of First Instance?
These are courts where original trials of cases are held.
Stare decisis
‘let what has been decided stand.’ The essence of precedent.
Ratio decidendi
‘the reason for deciding’. The nub of the case. The binding part of the judgement.
Obiter dicta
‘sayings by the way’. Anything in a judgement that is not the ratio.
Stare Decisis example
Donoghue v Stevenson (1932)
The claimant found a decomposing snail in her bottle of ginger beer. The HL held that a manufacturer owed a duty of care to their neighbour (the consumer) that their products are safe (the principle).
Precedent applied in;
Grant v Australian Knitting Mills (1936)
The claimant bought some long johns but the material contained a chemical that caused dermatitis. Compensation was awarded based on the precedent (the principle of a duty of care) set by Donoghue v Stevenson.
Ratio Decidendi Example:
R v Dudley & Stephens (1884)
The two defendants were shipwrecked and ate a cabin boy to stay alive (chose him because he was the weakest and most likely to die). Convicted of murder after the court refused them the defence of necessity.
The court gave the following reasons for refusing the defence:
Christian values state that we should give up one’s own life to save another’s rather than take another’s life to save one’s own.
It is impossible to choose between the value of one person’s life and another’s.
The defence of necessity is not available for theft of food due to starvation so cannot be available for murder
Obiter Dicta Example:
Hill v Baxter (1958)
D fell asleep whilst driving and drove into some people. His conviction was upheld as he was at fault for failing to stop when he felt drowsy.
Obiter = The judge went on to give examples of someone being stung by a swarm of bees whilst driving, losing control of a car as an example of a driver not being at fault.
Moloney (1985)
D accidentally shot his stepfather during a drunken duel. Oblique intention means knowing that it will happen even if you don’t want it to happen.
Obiter = The judge gave a hypothetical example to illustrate oblique intention – where a man is trying to escape people chasing him through an airport, he gets on a plane to Manchester. He does not desire to go to Manchester but intends to go there.
Forms of Precedent:
Binding Precedent and Persuasive Precedent
Binding Precedent
A legal principle that MUST be followed (or reference to the case that it comes from)
- The Ratio Decidendi is the binding part of a decision/case
- A precedent is binding if it comes from a court higher in the hierarchy (appeal courts bind themselves) and the facts of the cases are sufficiently similar
- Higher courts bind lower courts
- Appeal Courts generally bind themselves
E.g. The court in Grant was bound by the decision in Donoghue v Stevenson
Persuasive Precedent:
Legal principles or cases that could be considered but do not have to be followed.
- Decisions may be based on this type of precedent - guidance.
Precedent is persuasive if:
Decisions from lower/inferior Courts (R v R)
Decisions from the Privy Council (Thabo Meli)
Decisions from courts in other countries
Obiter Dicta (Moloney)
Dissenting judgements (Lord Mustill in R v Brown and Others)
Example of Persuasive Precedent:
R v Howe & Bannister [1987]
Three men ages 19 & 20 were acting under orders of 35 year old man. They were ordered to murder three men. They took their victims to public bathrooms, tortured and killed them. They were told that if they did not do what the older man said the same would happen to them.
Held:
Ratio: The defence of duress is not available for murder.
Obiter dicta - The defence should not be available to one who attempts murder.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Judicial Precedent
Advantages:
Certainty
Consistency and fairness
Precision
Flexibility
Timesaving
Disadvantages
Rigidity
Complexity
Hair-splitting/ illogical distinctions
Slowness