NEJ v Wood & Anor

NEJ v Wood & Anor

The applicant is likely to establish at trial a reasonable expectation of privacy regarding his sexual encounters and identity; there is no sufficient public interest to justify full publication of his identity or details. However, the media may publish that the respondent had a sexual relationship with a leading actor, a world famous celebrity, who is married and a father, as this is relevant to public debate on privacy injunctions. The injunction is continued with these qualifications.

Parties
Applicant: NEJ; First Respondent: Helen Wood; Second Respondent: Person Unknown; Interested Party: News Group Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
13 April 2011
Procedural Posture
Civil / Return Date Hearing for Continuation/variation of Interim Injunction
Outcome
Interim injunction continued with modifications
Legal Topics
Interim Injunctions, Anonymity Orders, Freedom of Expression, Right to Privacy, Public Interest, Open Justice
Privacy Law Media Law Human Rights Interim Injunctions Anonymity Orders Freedom of Expression Right to Privacy Public Interest +1 more

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Parties

NEJ

Applicant

Helen Wood

First Respondent

Person Unknown

Second Respondent

News Group Newspapers Limited

Interested Party

Procedural Posture

Civil / Return Date Hearing for Continuation/variation of Interim Injunction

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether to continue or vary an interim injunction restraining publication of private information about the applicant
  2. 2 Whether the applicant's identity and details of sexual encounters should remain private
  3. 3 Whether there is a public interest justifying publication of the applicant's identity and details

Ratio Decidendi

The applicant is likely to establish at trial a reasonable expectation of privacy regarding his sexual encounters and identity; there is no sufficient public interest to justify full publication of his identity or details. However, the media may publish that the respondent had a sexual relationship with a leading actor, a world famous celebrity, who is married and a father, as this is relevant to public debate on privacy injunctions. The injunction is continued with these qualifications.

Court Disposition

Interim injunction continued with modifications

Orders

  • Injunction restraining publication of applicant's identity and details of sexual encounters continued, subject to proviso allowing publication that respondent had a sexual relationship with a leading actor, world famous celebrity, married and a father.
  • Anonymity order for applicant continued.