Failure to keep to time limits cost prosecution £175,000

On Thursday 27th June, the Privy Council handed down judgment in Darroch v Attorney General of Isle of Man, holding that the prosecution’s failure to abide by the time limit laid down in Manx statute law rendered the judge’s costs order against Mr Darroch invalid.

This decision overturns the earlier judgment on the point by the English Court of Appeal in Constantine and suggests that the breach of time limits in comparable cases may now block any adverse order being made.

Joel Bennathan QC acted for Mr Darroch, leading Paul Rodgers of the Isle of Man Bar, instructed by Carters Advocates. 

Judgement can be found here.