The Parliamentary By-Election of Gorton and Denton, Re

The Parliamentary By-Election of Gorton and Denton, Re

The omission of the statutory imprint on the election leaflets was an illegal practice under section 110(12) of the Act, but the omission arose from inadvertence due to a production error at the printer, not from want of good faith by the Claimants, who took all reasonable steps and acted promptly upon discovery. Relief under section 167 is therefore just and appropriate.

Parties
Claimant: Matthew Goodwin; Claimant: Adam Rawlinson
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
03 November 2026
Procedural Posture
Application for Relief Under Section 167 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 / Judgment on Application for Relief
Outcome
Relief granted under section 167 of the Representation of the People Act 1983; Claimants not subject to consequences of illegal practice.
Legal Topics
Illegal Practice, Statutory Imprint Requirement, Relief From Electoral Consequences, Good Faith, Inadvertence
Election Law Illegal Practice Statutory Imprint Requirement Relief From Electoral Consequences Good Faith Inadvertence

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Parties

Matthew Goodwin

Claimant

Adam Rawlinson

Claimant

Procedural Posture

Application for Relief Under Section 167 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 / Judgment on Application for Relief

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether omission of statutory imprint on election leaflets constitutes an illegal practice under the Representation of the People Act 1983
  2. 2 Whether the omission arose from inadvertence or reasonable cause and not from want of good faith
  3. 3 Whether relief should be granted under section 167 of the Act

Ratio Decidendi

The omission of the statutory imprint on the election leaflets was an illegal practice under section 110(12) of the Act, but the omission arose from inadvertence due to a production error at the printer, not from want of good faith by the Claimants, who took all reasonable steps and acted promptly upon discovery. Relief under section 167 is therefore just and appropriate.

Court Disposition

Relief granted under section 167 of the Representation of the People Act 1983; Claimants not subject to consequences of illegal practice.

Orders

  • The act or omission is excepted from the provisions of the Act making it an illegal practice; no person shall be subject to any of the consequences under the Act of that act or omission.