Global Torch Ltd v Apex Global Management Ltd

Global Torch Ltd v Apex Global Management Ltd

The court held that the importance of the open justice principle outweighs the Applicants’ asserted rights to privacy and reputation under Article 8 ECHR. There was insufficient clear and cogent evidence to justify private hearings or restrictions on media access. The applications for private hearings and to restrict media access to documents were refused; hearings will be in public and media may obtain the requested documents.

Parties
Petitioner (no. 10609/2011) / Respondent (no. 10850/2011): Global Torch Limited; Respondent (no. 10609/2011) / Petitioner (no. 10850/2011): Apex Global Management Limited; Respondent (no. 10609/2011): Faisal Abdel Aziz Hafiz Almhairat; Respondent (no. 10609/2011) / Respondent (no. 10850/2011): Fi Call Limited; Respondent (no. 10850/2011): HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Respondent (no. 10850/2011): Emad Mahmoud Ahmed Abu-Ayshih; Respondent (no. 10850/2011): HRH Prince Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Applicant (media Intervenor): Guardian News and Media Ltd; Applicant (media Intervenor): The Financial Times Ltd
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
13 February 2013
Procedural Posture
Company/commercial (unfair Prejudice Petitions) / Interlocutory Applications Regarding Privacy, Media Access, and Open Justice
Outcome
Applications for private hearings and to restrict media access refused; hearings to be in public; media granted access to documents.
Legal Topics
Unfair Prejudice Petitions, Open Justice Principle, Privacy in Court Proceedings, Media Access to Court Documents, Article 8 ECHR (right to Private Life), Article 10 ECHR (freedom of Expression), CPR Rule 39.2, CPR Rule 5.4 C
Company Law Civil Procedure Human Rights Unfair Prejudice Petitions Open Justice Principle Privacy in Court Proceedings Media Access to Court Documents Article 8 ECHR (right to Private Life) +3 more

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Parties

Global Torch Limited

Petitioner (no. 10609/2011) / Respondent (no. 10850/2011)

Apex Global Management Limited

Respondent (no. 10609/2011) / Petitioner (no. 10850/2011)

Faisal Abdel Aziz Hafiz Almhairat

Respondent (no. 10609/2011)

Fi Call Limited

Respondent (no. 10609/2011) / Respondent (no. 10850/2011)

HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Respondent (no. 10850/2011)

Emad Mahmoud Ahmed Abu-Ayshih

Respondent (no. 10850/2011)

HRH Prince Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Respondent (no. 10850/2011)

Guardian News and Media Ltd

Applicant (media Intervenor)

The Financial Times Ltd

Applicant (media Intervenor)

Procedural Posture

Company/commercial (unfair Prejudice Petitions) / Interlocutory Applications Regarding Privacy, Media Access, and Open Justice

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether hearings and documents in unfair prejudice petitions should be held in private or restricted from media/public access due to reputational and privacy concerns under Article 8 ECHR.
  2. 2 Whether the open justice principle and media rights under Article 10 ECHR override the applicants' claims for privacy and reputational protection.
  3. 3 Whether the court should restrict non-party access to statements of case and other documents under CPR rule 5.4C.

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that the importance of the open justice principle outweighs the Applicants’ asserted rights to privacy and reputation under Article 8 ECHR. There was insufficient clear and cogent evidence to justify private hearings or restrictions on media access. The applications for private hearings and to restrict media access to documents were refused; hearings will be in public and media may obtain the requested documents.

Court Disposition

Applications for private hearings and to restrict media access refused; hearings to be in public; media granted access to documents.

Orders

  • All hearings in these proceedings to be held in public unless new material justifies otherwise.
  • Guardian News and Media Ltd and The Financial Times Ltd permitted access to statements of case and specified documents under CPR rule 5.4C(2).