Harbro Supplies Ltd v Hampton & Ors

Harbro Supplies Ltd v Hampton & Ors

Mr Hampton breached fiduciary duty by copying and using Harbro's database post-termination for springboard purposes; Mr Haines and JSL unlawfully assisted in misuse of company property; information was not confidential but was company property; counterclaims for hardware return succeed, others fail.

Parties
Claimant: Harbro Supplies Limited; Defendant: Gordon Bernard Hampton; Defendant: Jeremiah Strongarm Limited; Defendant: Stephen Haines
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
06 June 2014
Procedural Posture
Civil / Judgment on Liability and Counterclaims
Outcome
Claim against Mr Hampton, Mr Haines, and JSL established for misuse of Harbro database; counterclaim for return of hardware succeeds; other counterclaims dismissed; stock theft claim dismissed; manipulation of balance sheet not actionable.
Legal Topics
Fiduciary Duties, Breach of Confidence, Springboard Doctrine, Employee Duties, Misuse of Company Property, Counterclaims
Company Law Employment Law Equity Fiduciary Duties Breach of Confidence Springboard Doctrine Employee Duties Misuse of Company Property +1 more

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Parties

Harbro Supplies Limited

Claimant

Gordon Bernard Hampton

Defendant

Jeremiah Strongarm Limited

Defendant

Stephen Haines

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Judgment on Liability and Counterclaims

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Mr Hampton breached fiduciary duties by copying and using Harbro's database post-termination
  2. 2 Whether Mr Haines and JSL unlawfully assisted in misuse of Harbro's database
  3. 3 Whether information used was confidential or company property

Ratio Decidendi

Mr Hampton breached fiduciary duty by copying and using Harbro's database post-termination for springboard purposes; Mr Haines and JSL unlawfully assisted in misuse of company property; information was not confidential but was company property; counterclaims for hardware return succeed, others fail.

Court Disposition

Claim against Mr Hampton, Mr Haines, and JSL established for misuse of Harbro database; counterclaim for return of hardware succeeds; other counterclaims dismissed; stock theft claim dismissed; manipulation of balance sheet not actionable.

Orders

  • Mr Hampton's hardware lent to Harbro to be returned.
  • Laptop left by Mr Hampton at Harbro to be returned.