Royal Mail Group Ltd v Communication Workers Union

Royal Mail Group Ltd v Communication Workers Union

The application for summary judgment is refused because there are disputed issues of fact regarding whether the defendant induced the breach of contract, and the case is not suitable for summary determination without a full trial.

Parties
Claimant: Royal Mail Group Limited; Defendant: Communication Workers Union
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
08 April 2020
Procedural Posture
Civil / Summary Judgment Application
Outcome
Application for summary judgment refused
Legal Topics
Inducement to Breach of Contract, Industrial Action, Summary Judgment, Trade Union Liability
Employment Law Labour Law Civil Procedure Inducement to Breach of Contract Industrial Action Summary Judgment Trade Union Liability

Case Brief

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Parties

Royal Mail Group Limited

Claimant

Communication Workers Union

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Summary Judgment Application

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendant induced a breach of contract by encouraging unballoted industrial action
  2. 2 Whether summary judgment should be granted on the inducement to breach of contract claim

Ratio Decidendi

The application for summary judgment is refused because there are disputed issues of fact regarding whether the defendant induced the breach of contract, and the case is not suitable for summary determination without a full trial.

Court Disposition

Application for summary judgment refused

Orders

  • The claim for summary judgment on inducement to breach of contract is dismissed; the matter will proceed to trial.