Goodwin v News Group Newspapers Ltd

Goodwin v News Group Newspapers Ltd

The injunction was varied to permit identification of Sir Frederick Goodwin as the applicant, but prohibitions on identifying the lady and details of the relationship remain, as no evidence of public interest or breach of corporate governance was produced and affected parties had not been given notice.

Parties
Claimant: Sir Frederick Goodwin; Defendant: News Group Newspapers Ltd; Intervenor: MGN Ltd; Intervenor: Associated Newspapers Ltd
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
23 May 2011
Procedural Posture
Civil / Post Injunction Variation Hearing
Outcome
Injunction varied; prohibition on identifying claimant lifted, prohibition on identifying lady and relationship details maintained.
Legal Topics
Injunctions, Anonymity Orders, Freedom of Expression, Corporate Governance, Public Interest, Parliamentary Privilege
Privacy Law Media Law Defamation Injunctions Anonymity Orders Freedom of Expression Corporate Governance Public Interest +1 more

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Parties

Sir Frederick Goodwin

Claimant

News Group Newspapers Ltd

Defendant

MGN Ltd

Intervenor

Associated Newspapers Ltd

Intervenor

Procedural Posture

Civil / Post Injunction Variation Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the injunction prohibiting identification of the claimant and details of his relationship should be discharged or varied
  2. 2 Whether there is a public interest in publishing information about the claimant's relationship
  3. 3 Whether the anonymity of the lady involved should be lifted without notice

Ratio Decidendi

The injunction was varied to permit identification of Sir Frederick Goodwin as the applicant, but prohibitions on identifying the lady and details of the relationship remain, as no evidence of public interest or breach of corporate governance was produced and affected parties had not been given notice.

Court Disposition

Injunction varied; prohibition on identifying claimant lifted, prohibition on identifying lady and relationship details maintained.

Orders

  • Order permitting publication of the claimant's identity as applicant for the injunction.
  • Order maintaining prohibition on publication of information identifying the lady or details of the relationship, except her status as a work colleague.