UUU v BBB (Rev 1)

UUU v BBB (Rev 1)

The Defendant's threats to disclose damaging personal information to third parties unless the Claimant settled a contractual dispute constituted unwarranted demands with menaces, amounting to blackmail and harassment. The Claimant is likely to establish at trial that publication should not be allowed. Interim injunctive relief is justified and should be continued, subject to modification.

Parties
Claimant: UUU; Defendant: BBB
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
22 November 2019
Procedural Posture
Civil / Interim Injunction Application, Return Date Hearing
Outcome
Interim injunction extended pending final hearing, with modification to remove paragraphs (h) and (i) of confidential schedule 2.
Legal Topics
Interim Injunctions, Blackmail, Harassment, Privacy, Freedom of Expression
Civil Procedure Tort Law Criminal Law Human Rights Interim Injunctions Blackmail Harassment Privacy +1 more

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 7 Authorities cited 13 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

UUU

Claimant

BBB

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Interim Injunction Application, Return Date Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Defendant's conduct constituted blackmail under section 21 of the Theft Act 1968
  2. 2 Whether the Defendant's conduct amounted to harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997
  3. 3 Whether interim injunctive relief should be continued pending final hearing

Ratio Decidendi

The Defendant's threats to disclose damaging personal information to third parties unless the Claimant settled a contractual dispute constituted unwarranted demands with menaces, amounting to blackmail and harassment. The Claimant is likely to establish at trial that publication should not be allowed. Interim injunctive relief is justified and should be continued, subject to modification.

Court Disposition

Interim injunction extended pending final hearing, with modification to remove paragraphs (h) and (i) of confidential schedule 2.

Orders

  • Interim restraint granted on 9 August 2019 extended to final hearing, subject to removal of paragraphs (h) and (i) from confidential schedule 2.
  • Anonymity and private hearing maintained.