R v Bow Street Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate, ex parte Pinochet (No.3) [2000] 1 AC 147

Summary

House of Lords held that a former head of state does not enjoy immunity ratione materiae for acts of torture committed after the UK's ratification of the Torture Convention.

Relevance to the diaspora

Landmark authority underpinning universal jurisdiction claims against former Sri Lankan officials travelling to the UK.

Key provisions

• No immunity ratione materiae for torture
• Universal jurisdiction under s.134 CJA 1988
• Extradition of former heads of state

Primary source

Related entries

• → Universal Jurisdiction — UK Criminal Justice Act 1988 s.134 (Torture), International Criminal Court Act 2001 (UK)
• → UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) 1984 (UN)
• → Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court 1998 (ICC)