ABSTRACT
The Crown may claim that it is against the public interest to disclose some documents and may under the privilege of the royal prerogative issue a Public Interest Immunity Certificate. Some criminal laws relating to licensing and drugs abuse place an absolute liability on such people as licensees and the owners of property. In civil law an example of absolute liability is the duty placed on employers to ensure the safety of employees at their place of work. For officers seconded to other common service duties, the Home Secretary has vicarious liability. In some cases of negligent actions, as with intentional actions, even though the employer expressly forbids a particular action, this might not exonerate him from liability. The pre-trial procedures in civil cases differ from those of the criminal courts. There is a variation between High Court and county court procedures but the principles are the same.
