Manchester Airport Plc & Ors v Persons Unknown

Manchester Airport Plc & Ors v Persons Unknown

There is a compelling need for injunctive relief to prevent imminent and disruptive protests at airports, given the insufficiency of criminal law and byelaws to prevent such threats, and the balancing of protestors' rights under ECHR does not outweigh the need for the injunction.

Parties
Claimant: Manchester Airport PLC and Others; Defendant: Persons Unknown
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
09 February 2024
Procedural Posture
Injunction Application / Judgment
Outcome
injunction granted
Legal Topics
Injunctions Against Persons Unknown, Trespass, Public Order, Protest Rights, Airport Security
Civil Procedure Property Law Human Rights Injunctions Against Persons Unknown Trespass Public Order Protest Rights Airport Security

Case Brief

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Parties

Manchester Airport PLC and Others

Claimant

Persons Unknown

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Injunction Application / Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether there is a compelling need for an injunction against persons unknown to prevent disruptive protests at airports
  2. 2 Whether the injunction should cover all land owned by the claimants, including areas with leases and licences
  3. 3 Whether the rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (Articles 10 and 11) outweigh the need for the injunction

Ratio Decidendi

There is a compelling need for injunctive relief to prevent imminent and disruptive protests at airports, given the insufficiency of criminal law and byelaws to prevent such threats, and the balancing of protestors' rights under ECHR does not outweigh the need for the injunction.

Court Disposition

injunction granted

Orders

  • Injunction granted against persons unknown for all land identified in Plans 1, 2, and 3.
  • Definition of persons unknown amended to include organisations with websites or email addresses known to claimants.