R v Sussex Justices, ex parte McCarthy

Facts

The clerk to the justices who retired with them was a member of the firm acting against the defendant in a civil claim arising from the same accident.

Issue

Should the conviction stand?

Held

No. It was quashed.

Principle

Lord Hewart CJ: justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.

Why it matters

The most quoted statement on apparent bias.

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