Various Claimants v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2021] EWHC 1737 (Ch) (16 June 2021)

Various Claimants v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2021] EWHC 1737 (Ch) (16 June 2021)

Further generic disclosure is only justified if necessary for a fair trial, to save costs, or to facilitate settlement. The application for disclosure relating to Cruise Pictures Ltd and Lee Brookes is refused due to insufficient evidence that they acted as private investigators or that such disclosure is necessary...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2021] EWHC 1737 (Ch)
Parties
Claimant: Various Claimants; Defendant: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 June 2021
Procedural Posture
Civil / Interlocutory Application for Disclosure
Outcome
Application granted in part and refused in part
Legal Topics
Disclosure of Documents, Unlawful Information Gathering, Voicemail Interception, Use of Private Investigators, Evidence Concealment
Civil Procedure Media Law Privacy Disclosure of Documents Unlawful Information Gathering Voicemail Interception Use of Private Investigators Evidence Concealment

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Parties

Various Claimants

Claimant

News Group Newspapers Ltd

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Interlocutory Application for Disclosure

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether further generic disclosure should be ordered at this stage of proceedings
  2. 2 Whether disclosure relating to Cruise Pictures Ltd and Lee Brookes is justified
  3. 3 Whether SAP database searches for PI aliases and associated persons are warranted

Ratio Decidendi

Further generic disclosure is only justified if necessary for a fair trial, to save costs, or to facilitate settlement. The application for disclosure relating to Cruise Pictures Ltd and Lee Brookes is refused due to insufficient evidence that they acted as private investigators or that such disclosure is necessary for a fair trial. Disclosure is granted for SAP database searches for certain PI aliases and associated entities where a sufficient factual basis exists. Disclosure of cash payments authorised by Mr Webster is ordered as necessary for a fair trial of the issues concerning his alleged involvement in unlawful information gathering.

Court Disposition

Application granted in part and refused in part

Orders

  • Disclosure relating to Cruise Pictures Ltd and Lee Brookes refused
  • Disclosure of SAP database records for certain PI aliases and associated entities granted where factual basis exists