Attorney General v Miles & Anor

Attorney General v Miles & Anor

The court found that John and Bridget Miles had habitually and persistently instituted vexatious proceedings without reasonable ground, causing pointless, unproductive, and costly litigation against both private individuals and public authorities. The statutory requirements for a Civil Proceedings Order were met, and it was just to make the order sought by the Attorney General.

Parties
Claimant: Her Majesty's Attorney General; Defendant: John Miles; Defendant: Bridget Miles
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 June 2007
Procedural Posture
Application for Civil Proceedings Order Under Section 42 of the Supreme Court Act 1981 / Judgment
Outcome
Civil Proceedings Order made against John and Bridget Miles for an indefinite period; permission to appeal refused; Attorney General granted liberty to apply for a penal notice if warranted in the future.
Legal Topics
Vexatious Litigants, Civil Restraint Orders, Judicial Review, Abuse of Process
Civil Procedure Public Law Vexatious Litigants Civil Restraint Orders Judicial Review Abuse of Process

Case Brief

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Parties

Her Majesty's Attorney General

Claimant

John Miles

Defendant

Bridget Miles

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Application for Civil Proceedings Order Under Section 42 of the Supreme Court Act 1981 / Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether John and Bridget Miles have habitually and persistently instituted vexatious proceedings without reasonable ground within the meaning of section 42 of the Supreme Court Act 1981
  2. 2 Whether a Civil Proceedings Order should be made against them and if so, on what terms

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that John and Bridget Miles had habitually and persistently instituted vexatious proceedings without reasonable ground, causing pointless, unproductive, and costly litigation against both private individuals and public authorities. The statutory requirements for a Civil Proceedings Order were met, and it was just to make the order sought by the Attorney General.

Court Disposition

Civil Proceedings Order made against John and Bridget Miles for an indefinite period; permission to appeal refused; Attorney General granted liberty to apply for a penal notice if warranted in the future.

Orders

  • John and Bridget Miles are prohibited from instituting or continuing any civil proceedings without the leave of a High Court Judge.
  • No penal notice attached at this stage, but Attorney General has liberty to apply for one in the future.