AM v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Ors

AM v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Ors

The applicant demonstrated a strongly arguable case that media conduct amounted to harassment and intrusion into his home and family life, justifying an interim injunction to restrain publication and prevent further harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and ECHR Article 8.

Parties
Applicant: AM; Respondent: News Group Newspapers Ltd; Respondent: Persons Unknown
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 February 2012
Procedural Posture
Civil / Interim Injunction Hearing
Outcome
Interim injunction granted and continued; permission to amend proceedings to name News Group Newspapers Ltd as First Defendant and Persons Unknown as Respondents.
Legal Topics
Interim Injunctions, Non Disclosure Orders, Harassment, Protection of Family and Home, Anonymity
Media Law Privacy Law Civil Procedure Interim Injunctions Non Disclosure Orders Harassment Protection of Family and Home Anonymity

Case Brief

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Parties

AM

Applicant

News Group Newspapers Ltd

Respondent

Persons Unknown

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Civil / Interim Injunction Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the applicant is entitled to an interim injunction restraining publication of his name, address, and images identifying his home or family
  2. 2 Whether the conduct of media organisations amounts to harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997
  3. 3 Whether the applicant's right to respect for home and family life under ECHR Article 8 outweighs media rights under HRA s.12

Ratio Decidendi

The applicant demonstrated a strongly arguable case that media conduct amounted to harassment and intrusion into his home and family life, justifying an interim injunction to restrain publication and prevent further harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and ECHR Article 8.

Court Disposition

Interim injunction granted and continued; permission to amend proceedings to name News Group Newspapers Ltd as First Defendant and Persons Unknown as Respondents.

Orders

  • Prohibition on publishing or broadcasting the applicant's name and address.
  • Prohibition on publishing images identifying the applicant's address or showing any occupier or invitee within the house or garden.