Griffith v P (By Her Litigation Friend the Official Solicitor)

Griffith v P (By Her Litigation Friend the Official Solicitor)

The appellant was found to have deliberately forged a court order to obtain disclosure of medical records, constituting contempt of court. The committal proceedings and sentencing were conducted with procedural fairness, and the sentence of 12 months' imprisonment was proportionate given the seriousness of the contempt and absence of remorse.

Parties
Appellant/defendant: Dahlia Griffith; Respondent/applicant: P (by her Litigation Friend the Official Solicitor)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 December 2020
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal (contempt of Court) / Appeal From Committal Order
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Committal for Contempt, Forgery of Court Order, Absence of Respondent, Sentencing for Contempt
Civil Procedure Contempt of Court Committal for Contempt Forgery of Court Order Absence of Respondent Sentencing for Contempt

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Parties

Dahlia Griffith

Appellant/defendant

P (by her Litigation Friend the Official Solicitor)

Respondent/applicant

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal (contempt of Court) / Appeal From Committal Order

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the appellant was in contempt of court for forging a court order and procuring disclosure of medical records
  2. 2 Whether the committal proceedings and sentence were properly conducted in the appellant's absence
  3. 3 Whether the sentence imposed was proportionate

Ratio Decidendi

The appellant was found to have deliberately forged a court order to obtain disclosure of medical records, constituting contempt of court. The committal proceedings and sentencing were conducted with procedural fairness, and the sentence of 12 months' imprisonment was proportionate given the seriousness of the contempt and absence of remorse.

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeal dismissed; committal order and sentence of 12 months' imprisonment upheld; time for appealing extended as an indulgence; no order for costs.