‘On 20 July 2016 the Supreme Court handed down judgment in Patel v Mirza [2016] UKSC 42. The effect of the majority’s decision is to over-rule Tinsley v Milligan [1994] 1 AC 340, which for more than two decades stood as authority for the “reliance test” applicable to the illegality defence. Under that test, where a claimant is obliged to rely on his own illegal act in support of his claim – be it in contract, tort or unjust enrichment – a defence of illegality could, subject to certain exceptions, successfully be established.’
Henderson Chambers, 25th July 2016
Source: www.hendersonchambers.co.uk
