Reynolds v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [1982] EWCA Civ 7 (18 May 1982)

Reynolds v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis [1982] EWCA Civ 7 (18 May 1982)

There were no reasonable grounds for suspecting Mrs Reynolds of an arrestable offence; the judge's directions to the jury were proper; and the damages awarded, though high, were not so excessive as to warrant interference by the appellate court.

Citation
[1982] EWCA Civ 7
Parties
Plaintiff: Mrs Reynolds; Defendant/appellant: Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
18 May 1982
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Appeal Against Jury Award of Damages for False Imprisonment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
False Imprisonment, Damages, Police Powers, Exemplary Damages
Tort Law Civil Procedure False Imprisonment Damages Police Powers Exemplary Damages

Case Brief

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Parties

Mrs Reynolds

Plaintiff

Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis

Defendant/appellant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Appeal Against Jury Award of Damages for False Imprisonment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether there were reasonable grounds for suspecting Mrs Reynolds of an arrestable offence justifying her arrest
  2. 2 Whether the judge's directions to the jury on damages, including exemplary damages, were correct
  3. 3 Whether the damages awarded (£12,000) were excessive

Ratio Decidendi

There were no reasonable grounds for suspecting Mrs Reynolds of an arrestable offence; the judge's directions to the jury were proper; and the damages awarded, though high, were not so excessive as to warrant interference by the appellate court.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeal dismissed with costs