P v Griffith

P v Griffith

The court found beyond reasonable doubt that Ms Griffith forged a court order and sent it to Barts Health NHS Trust with the intention of obtaining confidential medical records of P, despite the court's repeated refusal to grant such disclosure. This constituted a serious interference with the due administration of justice, amounting to criminal contempt. The only reasonable inference from the evidence was that Ms Griffith acted deliberately and with intent to circumvent the court's decisions.

Parties
Applicant: P; Respondent: Dahlia Griffith
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
02 October 2020
Procedural Posture
Contempt of Court / Committal Application / Final Judgment and Sentencing
Outcome
Contempt proved; immediate custodial sentence imposed
Legal Topics
Forgery of Court Order, Interference With Administration of Justice, Disclosure of Medical Records, Committal Proceedings, Sentencing for Contempt
Civil Procedure Court of Protection Contempt of Court Forgery of Court Order Interference With Administration of Justice Disclosure of Medical Records Committal Proceedings Sentencing for Contempt

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Parties

P

Applicant

Dahlia Griffith

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Contempt of Court / Committal Application / Final Judgment and Sentencing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Ms Griffith falsified a court order and used it to obtain confidential medical records
  2. 2 Whether Ms Griffith's actions constituted contempt of court by interfering with the due administration of justice
  3. 3 Whether the court should proceed in the absence of the respondent

Ratio Decidendi

The court found beyond reasonable doubt that Ms Griffith forged a court order and sent it to Barts Health NHS Trust with the intention of obtaining confidential medical records of P, despite the court's repeated refusal to grant such disclosure. This constituted a serious interference with the due administration of justice, amounting to criminal contempt. The only reasonable inference from the evidence was that Ms Griffith acted deliberately and with intent to circumvent the court's decisions.

Court Disposition

Contempt proved; immediate custodial sentence imposed

Orders

  • Ms Griffith committed to prison for 12 months for contempt of court
  • A committal order to be issued and a warrant for her arrest