Obstructing the Highway - A Bitesized Guide for Criminal Practitioners

Introduction

Do you handle public order or protest-related offences? Are you struggling with the complexities of Obstructing the Highway under s137 of the Highways Act?

The High Court has recently looked at the s137 Highways Act offence and given a helpful judgment on the ingredients of the offence which a prosecutor must prove.

This webinar distils the most recent, and useful caselaw into one 30-minute session, so you gain clarity and confidence without sifting through pages of rulings.

What You Will Learn

This short webinar will cover the following:

• Case law - definitions and interpretation under s137
• What is a highway?
• What is enough for obstruction?
• How do human rights impact on a trial?
• Who has to prove what?
• Prosecutor - establishing a prima facie case
• Rebutting the defence
• Defence - what do we have to prove?
• What is the burden of proof on the defendant?

This pre-recorded webinar will be available to view from Friday 28th November 2025

Alternatively, you can gain access to this webinar and 1,900+ others via the MBL Webinar Subscription. Please email webinarsubscription@mblseminars.com for more details.