The Labour MP Jess Phillips has expressed hope that the UK’s highest court will overturn a ruling that prevents a domestic abuse survivor from suing Sussex police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for disclosing her address to her violent ex-partner. This case is set to be heard by the supreme court on Wednesday and Thursday.

Background

The court of appeal's decision has significant implications for accountability in cases of violence against women and girls. The woman, anonymized as XGY in court proceedings, had her address disclosed by a CPS lawyer during a magistrates hearing. This disclosure occurred while seeking a condition to prevent her former partner, who was accused of raping her and making threats against her life, from entering her residential area. Notably, Sussex police did not mark her address as confidential when sharing it with the CPS, forcing her to relocate for safety.

Court Ruling

The court of appeal ruled last year that XGY could not sue Sussex police and the CPS, citing a principle known as "core immunity." This ruling stated that this immunity extends beyond evidential matters to a wide range of police activities, including those related to investigations outside the courtroom.

Jess Phillips' Statement

Phillips, who has previously served as a minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, stated:

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"Hopefully the supreme court will see sense. I’ve been part of many different cases, where both the police and the CPS have been held accountable in civil remedy regarding their failures."