Sheffield Environmental Services & Ors v Persons Unknown

Sheffield Environmental Services & Ors v Persons Unknown

The court found that the claimants had demonstrated a compelling need for protection of their civil rights due to ongoing direct action by persons unknown causing substantial and unreasonable interference with their land and contractual obligations. The acts complained of constituted private nuisance and, to a lesser extent, trespass. The claimants had taken all reasonable steps to notify the defendants and had exhausted less restrictive measures. The injunction sought was proportionate, clearly defined, and included procedural protections for affected persons. The requirements for granting an injunction against persons unknown were satisfied.

Parties
Claimant: Sheffield Environmental Services; Claimant: Veolia ES Sheffield Limited; Claimant: Veolia ES (UK) Limited; Defendant: Persons Unknown
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
13 August 2025
Procedural Posture
Injunction Application (civil) / Judgment on Application for Interim Injunction
Outcome
Injunction granted
Legal Topics
Injunctions Against Persons Unknown, Trespass, Private Nuisance, Trade Union Disputes, Protest Law, Service of Process, Proportionality of Remedies
Civil Procedure Tort Law Labour Law Human Rights Injunctions Against Persons Unknown Trespass Private Nuisance Trade Union Disputes +3 more

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 7 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 4
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Sheffield Environmental Services

Claimant

Veolia ES Sheffield Limited

Claimant

Veolia ES (UK) Limited

Claimant

Persons Unknown

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Injunction Application (civil) / Judgment on Application for Interim Injunction

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether an injunction should be granted against persons unknown engaging in direct action interfering with access to claimants' sites
  2. 2 Whether the acts complained of constitute private nuisance and/or trespass
  3. 3 Whether the injunction sought is proportionate and compliant with Articles 10 and 11 ECHR

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the claimants had demonstrated a compelling need for protection of their civil rights due to ongoing direct action by persons unknown causing substantial and unreasonable interference with their land and contractual obligations. The acts complained of constituted private nuisance and, to a lesser extent, trespass. The claimants had taken all reasonable steps to notify the defendants and had exhausted less restrictive measures. The injunction sought was proportionate, clearly defined, and included procedural protections for affected persons. The requirements for granting an injunction against persons unknown were satisfied.

Court Disposition

Injunction granted

Orders

  • Persons unknown are restrained from, without the claimants' consent, entering, occupying, or remaining on, or preventing, slowing down, or otherwise interfering with access to or from the specified sites during the period of notified industrial action.
  • The injunction is limited to the period of the current industrial action and is subject to annual review.