Ladybill Limited, R (on the application of) v Sheffield Magistrates' Court
[2024] EWHC 1851 (Admin)
Valery Sawbridge, R (on the application of) v Leeds District Magistrates Court
26 March 2024
[2024] EWHC 694 (Admin)
High Court
Someone sued a court in Leeds, but filed the case in London, claiming bias. The court found no proof of bias and moved the case back to Leeds where it should have been in the first place, because that's where the original problem was.
Key Facts
- •Judicial review claim filed in London on 8 January 2024 by Claimant residing in Pontefract.
- •Claim targets decisions of Leeds District Magistrates’ Court from 4 October 2023 (bail condition, plea entry).
- •Claim includes allegations regarding free representation and translated documents.
- •Claimant asserted bias and conflict of interest concerns, citing ongoing complaints against Leeds judiciary and court centre.
- •Administrative Court Lawyer found no record of the alleged complaints.
- •Claimant failed to provide requested evidence supporting the complaints.
- •The case concerns the appropriate venue for the judicial review.
Legal Principles
Judicial review claims should be dealt with by the regional venue most closely connected, unless there is a compelling reason otherwise.
Overriding objective and inherent practice of the Administrative Court
Outcomes
Transfer of the case to the Administrative Court in Leeds.
The court found no evidence of bias or conflict of interest justifying the claim's filing in London. The Claimant's failure to provide evidence supporting their complaints further supported the transfer. The court emphasized the importance of regional venues handling cases with the most relevant connections.
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