Richards v Devenish & Anor [2017] EWHC 37 (QB) (19 January 2017)

Richards v Devenish & Anor [2017] EWHC 37 (QB) (19 January 2017)

The petitioner failed to establish any breach of electoral law or duty by officials. The election was conducted substantially in accordance with the law, and no act or omission affected the result. Allegations of irregularity, collusion, or error were unsupported by evidence. The petition was dismissed in its entirety.

Citation
[2017] EWHC 37 (QB)
Parties
Petitioner: Mandy Richards; First Respondent: Tony Devenish; Second Respondent (returning Officer): Charlie Parker
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
19 January 2017
Procedural Posture
Election Petition / Final Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Petition dismissed
Legal Topics
Election Challenge, Representation of the People Act 1983, London Assembly Election, Electoral Process, Postal Voting, Electronic Counting, Scrutiny of Election Returns
Election Law Public Law Election Challenge Representation of the People Act 1983 London Assembly Election Electoral Process Postal Voting Electronic Counting +1 more

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Parties

Mandy Richards

Petitioner

Tony Devenish

First Respondent

Charlie Parker

Second Respondent (returning Officer)

Procedural Posture

Election Petition / Final Judgment After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the 2016 London Assembly election for West Central was conducted in accordance with the law
  2. 2 Whether any act or omission affected the election result
  3. 3 Whether there was error in adjudication, irregularities in turnout, postal voting, or ballot box handling

Ratio Decidendi

The petitioner failed to establish any breach of electoral law or duty by officials. The election was conducted substantially in accordance with the law, and no act or omission affected the result. Allegations of irregularity, collusion, or error were unsupported by evidence. The petition was dismissed in its entirety.

Court Disposition

Petition dismissed

Orders

  • All aspects of the petition are dismissed
  • No order for full scrutiny of election documents