Visit JCPCUKSC/2023/0088
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PUBLIC LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS
In the matter of an application for Judicial Review by JR123 (Appellant) (Northern Ireland)
Case summary
Case ID
UKSC/2023/0088
Parties
Appellant(s)
JR123
Respondent(s)
Department of Justice
Issue
(1) Does article 6(1) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 ("the Order") violate the appellant’s right to respect for private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights ("article 8") because it fails to provide for a review mechanism whereby a previous conviction can be treated as “spent”? (2) If article 6(1) is a violation, should the court make a declaration of incompatibility? (3) If article 6(1) is a violation, was the Court of Appeal wrong to uphold the High Court’s refusal to award the appellant damages?
Facts
When he was aged 21, the appellant (who is anonymised as JR123) was convicted of arson, possession of a petrol bomb, and two offences of burglary and theft. For these offences, he was sentenced to four concurrent terms of imprisonment of five years, four years, 12 months, and 12 months respectively. He was released from prison in 1982 and at the time of the appeal is aged 66. Under article 6(1) of the Order, the appellant’s convictions cannot become “spent” and must generally be disclosed when, among other things, applying for employment. The appellant states that this has had negative consequences for him, such as making it difficult to find employment and experiencing distress and humiliation when revealing his conviction to others. The appellant says he is a fully rehabilitated member of society and professes shame and regret for his offences. He is in a stable relationship and is a skilled tradesman. On 28 January 2020, the appellant issued proceedings in the High Court arguing that the Order is a disproportionate interference with his right to respect for private life under article 8. On 1 November 2021, the High Court found that the Order violated the appellant’s article 8 rights as it did not provide for any mechanism by which the status of his conviction as unspent could be reviewed. However, the High Court declined to award the appellant any damages, ruling that the declaration was sufficient compensation. The Department for Justice (the respondent) appealed this decision to the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland. The appellant also appealed the refusal to award him damages. On 3 May 2023, the Court of Appeal allowed the Department for Justice’s appeal and dismissed the appellant’s appeal as to damages.
Date of issue
17 July 2023
Judgment appealed
Judgment details
Judgment date
6 March 2025
Neutral citation
[2025] UKSC 8
Judgment links
Judgment summary
6 March 2025
Appeal
Justices
Hearing dates
Full hearing
Start date
23 October 2024
End date
23 October 2024
Half hearing
Start date
24 October 2024
End date
24 October 2024
Watch hearings
23 October 2024 - Morning session
23 October 2024 - Afternoon session
24 October 2024 - Morning session
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Change log
Last updated 23 October 2024