The Good Law Project, R (on the application of) v Electoral Commission

The Good Law Project, R (on the application of) v Electoral Commission

On the proper interpretation of section 111(2) of the Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the three payments totalling £620,000 made by Vote Leave Limited to AggregateIQ Data Services Limited for advertising services purchased by Darren Grimes were referendum expenses incurred by Vote Leave Limited.

Parties
Claimant: Good Law Project; Defendant: Electoral Commission; Interested Party: Vote Leave Limited; Interested Party: Darren Grimes
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
04 October 2018
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review / Final Judgment and Consequential Orders
Outcome
Claimant succeeded on the only ground permitted; declaration made; costs awarded; permission to appeal refused.
Legal Topics
Referendum Expenses, Interpretation of Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000, Costs in Judicial Review
Election Law Administrative Law Referendum Expenses Interpretation of Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Costs in Judicial Review

Case Brief

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Parties

Good Law Project

Claimant

Electoral Commission

Defendant

Vote Leave Limited

Interested Party

Darren Grimes

Interested Party

Procedural Posture

Judicial Review / Final Judgment and Consequential Orders

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether payments made by Vote Leave Limited to AggregateIQ Data Services Limited for advertising services purchased by Darren Grimes were referendum expenses incurred by Vote Leave Limited under section 111(2) of the Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000

Ratio Decidendi

On the proper interpretation of section 111(2) of the Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the three payments totalling £620,000 made by Vote Leave Limited to AggregateIQ Data Services Limited for advertising services purchased by Darren Grimes were referendum expenses incurred by Vote Leave Limited.

Court Disposition

Claimant succeeded on the only ground permitted; declaration made; costs awarded; permission to appeal refused.

Orders

  • Declaration that the three payments totalling £620,000 made by Vote Leave Limited to AggregateIQ Data Services Limited for advertising services purchased by Darren Grimes were referendum expenses incurred by Vote Leave Limited.
  • Defendant to pay claimant £40,000 on account of costs.