CEF Holdings Ltd & Anor v City Electrical Factors Ltd & Ors [2012] EWHC 1524 (QB) (01 June 2012)

CEF Holdings Ltd & Anor v City Electrical Factors Ltd & Ors [2012] EWHC 1524 (QB) (01 June 2012)

The employee recruitment and non-competition covenants are unenforceable as drafted due to excessive width, lack of clarity, and absence of reasonable necessity; interim injunctions are refused.

Citation
[2012] EWHC 1524 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: CEF Holdings Limited; Claimant: City Electrical Factors Limited; Defendant: Brian Mundey; Defendant: Richard Kay; Defendant: Neil Davison; Defendant: Robert Shaw; Defendant: Steven Whitely; Defendant: Mark Abbey; Defendant: Richard Butterfield; Defendant: Mark Nolan; Defendant: Kevin Mallinson; Defendant: Robin Moorey; Defendant: Colin Stirrat; Defendant: Steven Kay; Defendant: Anthony Pidcock; Defendant: Chris Pidcock; Defendant: Gerry Brown; Defendant: Colin Middleton; Defendant: Dave Evans; Defendant: Adrian O'Donohue; Defendant: Craig Copland; Defendant: Complete Electric Solutions Ltd; Defendant: All Electric Solutions Limited; Defendant: Ashley Mackie; Defendant: Adam Mackie; Defendant: Andrew Singleton
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
01 June 2012
Procedural Posture
Interim Application for Injunctive Relief / Post Hearing Judgment
Outcome
Interim injunctions refused; restrictive covenants held unenforceable.
Legal Topics
Restrictive Covenants, Restraint of Trade, Springboard Relief, Jurisdiction, Interim Injunctions

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 5 Authorities cited 11 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 7
Sign in to unlock

Parties

CEF Holdings Limited

Claimant

City Electrical Factors Limited

Claimant

Brian Mundey

Defendant

Richard Kay

Defendant

Neil Davison

Defendant

Robert Shaw

Defendant

Steven Whitely

Defendant

Mark Abbey

Defendant

Richard Butterfield

Defendant

Mark Nolan

Defendant

Kevin Mallinson

Defendant

Robin Moorey

Defendant

Colin Stirrat

Defendant

Steven Kay

Defendant

Anthony Pidcock

Defendant

Chris Pidcock

Defendant

Gerry Brown

Defendant

Colin Middleton

Defendant

Dave Evans

Defendant

Adrian O'Donohue

Defendant

Craig Copland

Defendant

Complete Electric Solutions Ltd

Defendant

All Electric Solutions Limited

Defendant

Ashley Mackie

Defendant

Adam Mackie

Defendant

Andrew Singleton

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Interim Application for Injunctive Relief / Post Hearing Judgment

  1. 1 Are the employee recruitment and non-competition covenants enforceable?
  2. 2 Should interim injunctions be granted?
  3. 3 Is springboard relief available?

Ratio Decidendi

The employee recruitment and non-competition covenants are unenforceable as drafted due to excessive width, lack of clarity, and absence of reasonable necessity; interim injunctions are refused.

Court Disposition

Interim injunctions refused; restrictive covenants held unenforceable.

Orders

  • Order of Collins J discharged.
  • No injunctive relief granted against defendants.