Oxford University v Webb [2006] EWHC 2490 (QB) (13 October 2006)

Oxford University v Webb [2006] EWHC 2490 (QB) (13 October 2006)

The ALF, ALF Supporters Group, Arkangel, and the press office constitute a sufficiently coherent organisation to be sued as an unincorporated association via representative action under CPR 19.6, with Robin Webb as a suitable representative defendant. The ALF can remain a party to the action, and injunctive relief can be granted against it through representative proceedings.

Citation
[2006] EWHC 2490 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Oxford University; Defendant: Mr Robin Webb (10th Defendant)
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
13 October 2006
Procedural Posture
Civil / Interlocutory Application to Strike Out/representative Action Determination
Outcome
Application to strike out the claim against Robin Webb as representative of the ALF is refused; ALF remains a defendant via representative action; Robin Webb remains a defendant in a representative capacity.
Legal Topics
Representative Actions, Unincorporated Associations, Interim Injunctions, Liability for Protest Actions, Animal Rights Activism
Civil Procedure Injunctions Tort Law Representative Actions Unincorporated Associations Interim Injunctions Liability for Protest Actions Animal Rights Activism

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Parties

Oxford University

Claimant

Mr Robin Webb (10th Defendant)

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Interlocutory Application to Strike Out/representative Action Determination

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) can be sued as an unincorporated association via a representative action under CPR 19.6
  2. 2 Whether Robin Webb can properly be a representative defendant for the ALF
  3. 3 Whether the ALF can be a party to proceedings without a representative individual

Ratio Decidendi

The ALF, ALF Supporters Group, Arkangel, and the press office constitute a sufficiently coherent organisation to be sued as an unincorporated association via representative action under CPR 19.6, with Robin Webb as a suitable representative defendant. The ALF can remain a party to the action, and injunctive relief can be granted against it through representative proceedings.

Court Disposition

Application to strike out the claim against Robin Webb as representative of the ALF is refused; ALF remains a defendant via representative action; Robin Webb remains a defendant in a representative capacity.

Orders

  • ALF to remain as defendant via representative action under CPR 19.6
  • Robin Webb to remain as representative defendant