Roberts v Bank of Scotland Plc (Rev 1)

Roberts v Bank of Scotland Plc (Rev 1)

The bank's conduct in making 547 repeated and intimidatory telephone calls to the claimant, despite her clear requests to desist, constituted harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The context, content, and frequency of the calls crossed the threshold of oppressive and unacceptable behaviour. The award of £7,500 damages was appropriate within the middle band for injury to feelings.

Parties
Claimant/respondent: Amanda Roberts; Defendant/appellant: Bank of Scotland Plc
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
11 June 2013
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Appeal Judgment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Harassment, Damages, Banking Practice, Protection From Harassment Act 1997

Case Brief

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Parties

Amanda Roberts

Claimant/respondent

Bank of Scotland Plc

Defendant/appellant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Appeal Judgment

  1. 1 Whether repeated telephone calls by a bank to a customer constitute harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997
  2. 2 Appropriate quantum of damages for harassment

Ratio Decidendi

The bank's conduct in making 547 repeated and intimidatory telephone calls to the claimant, despite her clear requests to desist, constituted harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The context, content, and frequency of the calls crossed the threshold of oppressive and unacceptable behaviour. The award of £7,500 damages was appropriate within the middle band for injury to feelings.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Bank's appeal on liability dismissed
  • Bank's appeal on quantum dismissed