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    Joyce vs. Director of Public Prosecution

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    Carina Frost
    Mr. Joyce, an American citizen who had resided in Britain for 24 years, obtained British passports by claiming British citizenship. During World War II, he broadcast Nazi propaganda from Germany. He was charged with high treason. The court ruled that as a British passport holder receiving the Crown's protection, Joyce could be convicted of treason for aiding the enemy, even while abroad. The court also asserted jurisdiction over Joyce's crimes committed outside the UK, as his broadcasts were harmful to British people and interests.

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    Joyce vs. Director of Public Prosecution

    Uploaded by

    Carina Frost
    12 views1 page
    Mr. Joyce, an American citizen who had resided in Britain for 24 years, obtained British passports by claiming British citizenship. During World War II, he broadcast Nazi propaganda from Germany. He was charged with high treason. The court ruled that as a British passport holder receiving the Crown's protection, Joyce could be convicted of treason for aiding the enemy, even while abroad. The court also asserted jurisdiction over Joyce's crimes committed outside the UK, as his broadcasts were harmful to British people and interests.

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    Mr. Joyce, an American citizen who had resided in Britain for 24 years, obtained British passports by claiming British citizenship. During World War II, he broadcast Nazi propaganda from Germany. He was charged with high treason. The court ruled that as a British passport holder receiving the Crown's protection, Joyce could be convicted of treason for aiding the enemy, even while abroad. The court also asserted jurisdiction over Joyce's crimes committed outside the UK, as his broadcasts were harmful to British people and interests.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    12 views1 page

    Joyce vs. Director of Public Prosecution

    Uploaded by

    Carina Frost
    Mr. Joyce, an American citizen who had resided in Britain for 24 years, obtained British passports by claiming British citizenship. During World War II, he broadcast Nazi propaganda from Germany. He was charged with high treason. The court ruled that as a British passport holder receiving the Crown's protection, Joyce could be convicted of treason for aiding the enemy, even while abroad. The court also asserted jurisdiction over Joyce's crimes committed outside the UK, as his broadcasts were harmful to British people and interests.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 1

    Joyce vs.

    Director of Public Prosecution, House of Lords,


    December 18, 1945

    Facts:

    Mr Joyce was an American citizen born in the United States of America, who had
    resided in British territory for about twenty-four years in 1906. On 4 July 1933, he
    applied for a British passport describing himself as a British subject by birth for
    the purpose of holiday touring in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy
    and Austria. On its expiration, he obtained renewals on September 24, 1938 and
    on August 24, 1939, granting a period of five years, again describing himself as a
    British subject. On his arrest in 1945, After the outbreak of war between Great
    Britain and Germany, before the expiration of the validity of the renewed
    passport, he was proved to have been employed by the German radio company
    and to have delivered from enemy territory broadcast talks in English hostile to
    Great Britain. The passport was not found in his possession when he was
    arrested. He was charged with High Treason by adhering to the King’s enemies
    elsewhere than in the King’s Realm contrary to the Treason Act 1351 for 3
    counts and sentenced him to death.

    It was proved by uncontradicted evidence that he had broadcast propaganda on


    behalf of the enemy. He did not give evidence but in a statement made after his
    arrest in Germany he said “In 1940 I acquired German nationality. … As, by
    reason of my opinions, I was not conscientiously disposed to fight for Britain
    against Germany, I decided to leave the country. … Realizing, however, that at
    this critical juncture I had declined to serve Britain I drew the logical conclusion
    that I should have no moral right to return to that country of my own free will and
    that it would be best to apply for German citizenship and make my home in
    Germany.” Petitioner then appeal to the court opposing his crime.

    Issue:

    Whether or not the petitioner can be convicted of his crimes even he is situated
    outside of his country

    Ruling:

    Yes. An alien abroad holding a British passport enjoys the protection of the
    Crown and if he is adherent to the King’s enemies he is guilty of treason. So long
    as has not renounced that portion. In his statement, he then renounces such
    protection as he would refuse on his own will to return to his country as well as
    renouncing his nationality. Furthermore, broadcasting Nazi propaganda from
    Germany were harmful to the people and interests of the United Kingdom hence
    the states issued a Protective Principle to obtain jurisdiction over his crimes
    abroad.

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