Clarkson Plc v Person Or Persons Unknown [2018] EWHC 417 (QB) (06 March 2018)

Clarkson Plc v Person Or Persons Unknown [2018] EWHC 417 (QB) (06 March 2018)

The claimant satisfied the requirements for default judgment and final injunctive relief, having taken reasonable steps to notify the defendant(s), who failed to engage. The threatened disclosure of confidential information constituted blackmail, justifying a final injunction and continuation of derogations from open justice. The court determined a hearing was unnecessary and that open justice was preserved by a public judgment.

Citation
[2018] EWHC 417 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Clarkson Plc; Defendant(s): Person or Persons Unknown who has or have appropriated, obtained and/or may publish information unlawfully obtained from the Claimant's IT systems
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
06 March 2018
Procedural Posture
Civil Injunction/blackmail/confidentiality / Default Judgment and Final Order
Outcome
Default judgment granted. Final injunction and costs order made.
Legal Topics
Default Judgment, Non Disclosure Injunction, Open Justice Derogations, Service by Alternative Means, Blackmail, Persons Unknown as Defendants
Civil Procedure Media Law Confidentiality Information Technology Law Default Judgment Non Disclosure Injunction Open Justice Derogations Service by Alternative Means +2 more

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Parties

Clarkson Plc

Claimant

Person or Persons Unknown who has or have appropriated, obtained and/or may publish information unlawfully obtained from the Claimant's IT systems

Defendant(s)

Procedural Posture

Civil Injunction/blackmail/confidentiality / Default Judgment and Final Order

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether default judgment and final injunctive relief should be granted against persons unknown for threatened publication of unlawfully obtained confidential information
  2. 2 Whether derogations from open justice are justified in the circumstances

Ratio Decidendi

The claimant satisfied the requirements for default judgment and final injunctive relief, having taken reasonable steps to notify the defendant(s), who failed to engage. The threatened disclosure of confidential information constituted blackmail, justifying a final injunction and continuation of derogations from open justice. The court determined a hearing was unnecessary and that open justice was preserved by a public judgment.

Court Disposition

Default judgment granted. Final injunction and costs order made.

Orders

  • Final injunction prohibiting the defendant(s) from communicating, disclosing, or using the confidential information.
  • Continuation of derogations from open justice, including restrictions on access to confidential documents and hearing papers.