Darchem Engineering Ltd v Richardson [2025] EWHC 2113 (KB) (30 June 2025)

Darchem Engineering Ltd v Richardson [2025] EWHC 2113 (KB) (30 June 2025)

A privacy order for the entire hearing is necessary as the confidential material is central to the application and partial measures would not be practicable. An imaging order is justified but only in reduced terms, excluding certain personal and business systems, with further disclosure to proceed in the ordinary way.

Citation
[2025] EWHC 2113 (KB)
Parties
Claimant/applicant: Darchem Engineering Limited; Defendant/respondent: Andrew Richardson
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
30 June 2025
Procedural Posture
Application for Imaging and Ancillary Orders / Interlocutory Hearing
Outcome
Imaging order granted in reduced terms; privacy order for hearing granted; interim injunction falls away by undertakings; further disclosure to proceed in ordinary course.
Legal Topics
Trade Secrets, Confidential Information, Interim Orders, Privacy Orders
Commercial Law Employment Law Trade Secrets Confidential Information Interim Orders Privacy Orders

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Parties

Darchem Engineering Limited

Claimant/applicant

Andrew Richardson

Defendant/respondent

Procedural Posture

Application for Imaging and Ancillary Orders / Interlocutory Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendant improperly obtained and retained trade secrets and confidential information
  2. 2 Whether a privacy order for the hearing is necessary
  3. 3 Whether to grant an imaging order and ancillary relief

Ratio Decidendi

A privacy order for the entire hearing is necessary as the confidential material is central to the application and partial measures would not be practicable. An imaging order is justified but only in reduced terms, excluding certain personal and business systems, with further disclosure to proceed in the ordinary way.

Court Disposition

Imaging order granted in reduced terms; privacy order for hearing granted; interim injunction falls away by undertakings; further disclosure to proceed in ordinary course.

Orders

  • Imaging order to take effect on specified date, limited to personal items and excluding certain systems.
  • Privacy order for the entire hearing.