R (Terra Services Ltd) v National Crime Agency and Others

Queen 's Bench Division (Administrative Court) [2019] EWHC 3165 (Admin), Lord Justice Irwin and Mrs Justice May, 17 October; 21 November 2019

Public Interest Immunity - Mutual legal assistance - Letters of Request - Closed material procedure - Warrant - Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, schedule 1

As a decision in respect of hearing considering preliminary issues arising in proceedings for an application for judicial review, the persuasive value of this case is limited. It is also unsurprising in its outcome: namely that the claim to PII was upheld and the confidence of the Letter of Request was maintained. The point of interest lies in the procedure adopted by the Divisional Court and its approach to considering PII material and sitting in closed session.