although the general rule is that UK courts will not consider academic questions which do not affect the parties there can be a "public interest exception" if a question of public law involving a public authority arises. A practical example would be a case in which "a discrete point of statutory construction arises which does not involve detailed consideration of facts and where a large number of similar cases exist or are anticipated so that the issue will most likely need to be resolved in the near future".

For main relevant general notes see Employment Appeal Tribunal/jurisdiction/a general overview .