DOHERTY v. THE UNITED KINGDOM - 76874/11 (Judgment (Merits and Just Satisfaction) : Court (First Section)) [2016] ECHR 190 (18 February 2016)

DOHERTY v. THE UNITED KINGDOM - 76874/11 (Judgment (Merits and Just Satisfaction) : Court (First Section)) [2016] ECHR 190 (18 February 2016)

The Court found that the applicant's detention between 29 November 2001 and 7 October 2008 was not reviewed 'speedily' as required by Article 5 § 4 of the Convention. There were significant periods of delay in the review process, some attributable to the applicant but others to the authorities, and the overall delay...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2016] ECHR 190
Parties
Applicant: Christopher Doherty; Respondent: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Jurisdiction
European Union
Procedural Posture
Application to the European Court of Human Rights / Judgment After Full Hearing
Outcome
Violation of Article 5 § 4 found; no violation of Article 5 § 1; complaint otherwise inadmissible.
Legal Topics
Article 5 § 4 ECHR (right to Speedy Review of Detention), Article 5 § 1 ECHR (lawfulness of Detention), Procedural Fairness in Parole/release Proceedings, Mandatory Life Sentences, Judicial Review of Detention
Human Rights Law Criminal Law Prison Law Article 5 § 4 ECHR (right to Speedy Review of Detention) Article 5 § 1 ECHR (lawfulness of Detention) Procedural Fairness in Parole/release Proceedings Mandatory Life Sentences Judicial Review of Detention

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 29 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Christopher Doherty

Applicant

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Application to the European Court of Human Rights / Judgment After Full Hearing

  1. 1 Whether the applicant's detention was reviewed 'speedily' as required by Article 5 § 4 of the Convention
  2. 2 Whether the review of the applicant's detention was conducted fairly under Article 5 § 4
  3. 3 Whether the applicant's detention was lawful under Article 5 § 1 of the Convention

Ratio Decidendi

The Court found that the applicant's detention between 29 November 2001 and 7 October 2008 was not reviewed 'speedily' as required by Article 5 § 4 of the Convention. There were significant periods of delay in the review process, some attributable to the applicant but others to the authorities, and the overall delay was incompatible with the requirement of speediness. The review procedures were otherwise fair, as the applicant could have subpoenaed witnesses, and there was no violation regarding fairness. The applicant's complaints under Article 5 § 1 were inadmissible.

Court Disposition

Violation of Article 5 § 4 found; no violation of Article 5 § 1; complaint otherwise inadmissible.

Orders

  • The Court finds a breach of Article 5 § 4 of the Convention for the period 29 November 2001 to 7 October 2008.
  • No just satisfaction awarded beyond the finding of a violation.