Morrison v Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police

Morrison v Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police

The appeal was dismissed because the further retirement of the jury was at the jury's own request, not due to judicial pressure, and the judge's directions did not amount to improper pressure that would render the verdict unsafe.

Parties
Claimant/respondent: Mrs Cora Rosiene Morrison; Defendant/appellant: The Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
17 February 2003
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Appeal From High Court (birmingham County Court) to Court of Appeal
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Jury Directions, Unlawful Arrest, Malicious Prosecution, Majority Verdicts
Civil Procedure Tort Jury Directions Unlawful Arrest Malicious Prosecution Majority Verdicts

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Parties

Mrs Cora Rosiene Morrison

Claimant/respondent

The Chief Constable of the West Midlands Police

Defendant/appellant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Appeal From High Court (birmingham County Court) to Court of Appeal

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the trial judge exerted improper pressure on the jury to reach a majority verdict after deadlock
  2. 2 Whether the jury's verdict was unsafe due to the judge's directions

Ratio Decidendi

The appeal was dismissed because the further retirement of the jury was at the jury's own request, not due to judicial pressure, and the judge's directions did not amount to improper pressure that would render the verdict unsafe.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appellant to pay the Respondent's costs in the sum of £4,722.60