AAA plc & Ors v Persons Unknown [2021] EWHC 2529 (QB) (20 September 2021)

AAA plc & Ors v Persons Unknown [2021] EWHC 2529 (QB) (20 September 2021)

The court granted the interim injunction because there was compelling evidence of blackmail and unlawful means conspiracy, a real risk of further harm if publication was not restrained, and damages would not be an adequate remedy. Anonymity and a private hearing were necessary to secure the proper administration of justice and prevent the object of the application from being defeated.

Citation
[2021] EWHC 2529
Parties
Claimant: AAA plc; Claimant: BBB Limited; Claimant: CCC Limited; Claimant: DDD plc; Claimant: EEE Limited; Defendant: Persons Unknown
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 September 2021
Procedural Posture
Interim Injunction Application (without Notice) / Interim Relief Granted Pending Inter Partes Hearing
Outcome
Interim injunction granted pending inter partes hearing
Legal Topics
Interim Injunctions, Blackmail, Unlawful Means Conspiracy, Freedom of Expression, Anonymity Orders, Open Justice, Service Without Notice
Civil Procedure Tort Media Law Interim Injunctions Blackmail Unlawful Means Conspiracy Freedom of Expression Anonymity Orders +2 more

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Parties

AAA plc

Claimant

BBB Limited

Claimant

CCC Limited

Claimant

DDD plc

Claimant

EEE Limited

Claimant

Persons Unknown

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Interim Injunction Application (without Notice) / Interim Relief Granted Pending Inter Partes Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether an interim injunction should be granted to restrain publication of allegedly defamatory material and blackmail demands
  2. 2 Whether anonymity and private hearing orders are justified
  3. 3 Whether service without notice is permissible in the circumstances

Ratio Decidendi

The court granted the interim injunction because there was compelling evidence of blackmail and unlawful means conspiracy, a real risk of further harm if publication was not restrained, and damages would not be an adequate remedy. Anonymity and a private hearing were necessary to secure the proper administration of justice and prevent the object of the application from being defeated.

Court Disposition

Interim injunction granted pending inter partes hearing

Orders

  • Anonymity order for claimants
  • Private hearing order