Reviewed case brief
R v Bow Street Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrate ex parte Pinochet Ugarte (No 3)
[1999] 2 All ER 97
## Summary
- Court
- House of Lords
- Year
- 1999
- Subjects
- Public International Law
- Reviewed
- 2026-06-18
Rule established
Former heads of state enjoy immunity only for acts performed in their official capacity; systematic torture cannot constitute an official function, so no immunity attaches to international crimes.
Facts
Issues
Held
Ratio decidendi
How to use it in an exam
Editorial source
[1999] 2 All ER 97; verified via House of Lords reports
Educational summary only. Read the reported judgment or an authorised law report before relying on the case professionally.