Steven Ellis & Ors v John Benson Limited

Steven Ellis & Ors v John Benson Limited

Mr Benson, on behalf of the Defendant, breached the embargo by communicating the outcome of the draft judgment to witnesses, who are not parties. The breach was due to a mistaken but unreasonable belief. Prompt mitigating steps were taken, including obtaining undertakings and providing an immediate explanation and apology. In the circumstances, the court determined that it was not appropriate to initiate committal proceedings.

Parties
Claimant: Steven Ellis; Claimant: Stephen Hayward; Claimant: Wayne Monk; Claimant: Kevin Patterson; Claimant: Adrian Robins; Claimant: Janine Rusted; Claimant: John Stubbings; Claimant: Susanna Summers; Claimant: Robert Szatkowski; Claimant: Adam Chapman; Claimant: Amanda Cherry; Claimant: Tomasz Dzierzanowski; Claimant: Michele George; Claimant: Patrick Mackintosh; Claimant: Paul Maples; Claimant: Joanne Newman; Claimant: Helen Patmore; Claimant: Andrew Tanfield; Claimant: Sinead Thornton; Claimant: Claire Freeman; Defendant: John Benson Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
08 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil / Judgment on Breach of Embargo
Outcome
No further action taken; no committal proceedings initiated.
Legal Topics
Breach of Embargo, Contempt of Court, Confidentiality of Draft Judgments
Civil Procedure Breach of Embargo Contempt of Court Confidentiality of Draft Judgments

Case Brief

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Parties

Steven Ellis

Claimant

Stephen Hayward

Claimant

Wayne Monk

Claimant

Kevin Patterson

Claimant

Adrian Robins

Claimant

Janine Rusted

Claimant

John Stubbings

Claimant

Susanna Summers

Claimant

Robert Szatkowski

Claimant

Adam Chapman

Claimant

Amanda Cherry

Claimant

Tomasz Dzierzanowski

Claimant

Michele George

Claimant

Patrick Mackintosh

Claimant

Paul Maples

Claimant

Joanne Newman

Claimant

Helen Patmore

Claimant

Andrew Tanfield

Claimant

Sinead Thornton

Claimant

Claire Freeman

Claimant

John Benson Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Judgment on Breach of Embargo

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether there was a breach of the embargo on the draft judgment
  2. 2 Whether the breach warrants committal proceedings
  3. 3 Who is entitled to receive the draft judgment under the embargo

Ratio Decidendi

Mr Benson, on behalf of the Defendant, breached the embargo by communicating the outcome of the draft judgment to witnesses, who are not parties. The breach was due to a mistaken but unreasonable belief. Prompt mitigating steps were taken, including obtaining undertakings and providing an immediate explanation and apology. In the circumstances, the court determined that it was not appropriate to initiate committal proceedings.

Court Disposition

No further action taken; no committal proceedings initiated.