Exception Var Ltd & Anor v Goff & Anor [2010] EWHC 2051 (Ch) (16 July 2010)

Exception Var Ltd & Anor v Goff & Anor [2010] EWHC 2051 (Ch) (16 July 2010)

Delay in seeking interim injunctive relief does not disentitle claimants where no material prejudice is caused to the respondent; claimants have real prospects of success on enforceability of restraints and entitlement to springboard relief; interim injunctive relief granted for limited periods reflecting contractual and equitable considerations.

Citation
[2010] EWHC 2051 (Ch)
Parties
Applicant/claimant: Exception Var Limited; Applicant/claimant: Exception Var Group Limited; Respondent/defendant: Howard Goff; Respondent/defendant: Andrew Steele; Respondent/defendant: Ann Harwood; Respondent/defendant: Steve Strevens; Respondent/defendant: Christopher Nuttall; Respondent/defendant: Celine Nuttall; Respondent/defendant: Sonia Brunsdon; Respondent/defendant: Mark Sykes; Respondent/defendant: NCAB Group UK Limited; Respondent/defendant: NCAB Holdings AB; Respondent/defendant: Hans Lennart Stahl; Respondent/defendant: Anders Erik Forsen; Respondent/defendant: Helen Bicknell
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 July 2010
Procedural Posture
Interim Application for Injunctive Relief / Extemporary Judgment on Interim Application
Outcome
Interim injunctive relief granted
Legal Topics
Restrictive Covenants, Springboard Relief, Breach of Contract, Breach of Confidence, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Conspiracy, Database Rights, Delay in Seeking Injunction
Employment Law Contract Law Equity Restrictive Covenants Springboard Relief Breach of Contract Breach of Confidence Breach of Fiduciary Duty +3 more

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Parties

Exception Var Limited

Applicant/claimant

Exception Var Group Limited

Applicant/claimant

Howard Goff

Respondent/defendant

Andrew Steele

Respondent/defendant

Ann Harwood

Respondent/defendant

Steve Strevens

Respondent/defendant

Christopher Nuttall

Respondent/defendant

Celine Nuttall

Respondent/defendant

Sonia Brunsdon

Respondent/defendant

Mark Sykes

Respondent/defendant

NCAB Group UK Limited

Respondent/defendant

NCAB Holdings AB

Respondent/defendant

Hans Lennart Stahl

Respondent/defendant

Anders Erik Forsen

Respondent/defendant

Helen Bicknell

Respondent/defendant

Procedural Posture

Interim Application for Injunctive Relief / Extemporary Judgment on Interim Application

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether delay disentitles claimants to interim injunctive relief
  2. 2 Enforceability and duration of post-termination restraints in employment and investment agreements
  3. 3 Availability and scope of springboard relief

Ratio Decidendi

Delay in seeking interim injunctive relief does not disentitle claimants where no material prejudice is caused to the respondent; claimants have real prospects of success on enforceability of restraints and entitlement to springboard relief; interim injunctive relief granted for limited periods reflecting contractual and equitable considerations.

Court Disposition

Interim injunctive relief granted

Orders

  • Second claimant to be joined as co-claimant
  • Interim injunction enforcing investment agreement restraints until 29 September 2010