JQL v NTP

JQL v NTP

The defendant's Facebook post disclosed sensitive medical information about the claimant's mental health and self-harming, received in confidence, to family members and a small pool of others. The claimant had a reasonable expectation of privacy, the disclosure was not justified, and the tort was real and substantial. Damages and an injunction were warranted.

Parties
Claimant: JQL; Defendant: NTP
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
27 May 2020
Procedural Posture
Civil / Judgment
Outcome
Claim allowed
Legal Topics
Misuse of Private Information, Breach of Confidence, Damages, Injunctions, Publication on Social Media

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

JQL

Claimant

NTP

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the defendant's Facebook post constituted misuse of private information and breach of confidence
  2. 2 Whether the claimant had a reasonable expectation of privacy in the disclosed information
  3. 3 Whether the disclosure amounted to a real and substantial tort

Ratio Decidendi

The defendant's Facebook post disclosed sensitive medical information about the claimant's mental health and self-harming, received in confidence, to family members and a small pool of others. The claimant had a reasonable expectation of privacy, the disclosure was not justified, and the tort was real and substantial. Damages and an injunction were warranted.

Court Disposition

Claim allowed

Orders

  • Defendant to pay £15,000 in damages to claimant, including aggravated damages.
  • Defendant restrained by injunction from publishing or disclosing information about claimant's mental health and deliberate self-harm.