Pirtek (UK) Ltd v Jackson [2018] EWHC 1004 (QB) (01 May 2018)

Pirtek (UK) Ltd v Jackson [2018] EWHC 1004 (QB) (01 May 2018)

Mr Jackson was found in contempt of court for knowingly and deliberately breaching injunctions prohibiting publication of specified defamatory statements about Pirtek, after being properly served and given ample opportunity to respond. The breaches were proved to the criminal standard, and the court was satisfied that procedural and fairness requirements were met, justifying a finding of contempt in his absence.

Citation
[2018] EWHC 1004
Parties
Claimant: Pirtek (UK) Limited; Defendant: Robert Jackson
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
01 May 2018
Procedural Posture
Committal Application for Contempt of Court (civil Proceedings) / Judgment on Liability for Contempt; Penalty Adjourned
Outcome
Defendant found in contempt of court; penalty hearing adjourned to allow defendant final opportunity to engage.
Legal Topics
Committal for Contempt, Breach of Injunction, Libel, Malicious Falsehood, Service of Process, Summary Judgment, Legal Aid in Contempt Proceedings
Civil Procedure Defamation Contempt of Court Committal for Contempt Breach of Injunction Libel Malicious Falsehood Service of Process +2 more

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Parties

Pirtek (UK) Limited

Claimant

Robert Jackson

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Committal Application for Contempt of Court (civil Proceedings) / Judgment on Liability for Contempt; Penalty Adjourned

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendant breached court injunctions prohibiting publication of defamatory statements
  2. 2 Whether procedural requirements for committal for contempt were satisfied
  3. 3 Whether the hearing could proceed in the defendant's absence

Ratio Decidendi

Mr Jackson was found in contempt of court for knowingly and deliberately breaching injunctions prohibiting publication of specified defamatory statements about Pirtek, after being properly served and given ample opportunity to respond. The breaches were proved to the criminal standard, and the court was satisfied that procedural and fairness requirements were met, justifying a finding of contempt in his absence.

Court Disposition

Defendant found in contempt of court; penalty hearing adjourned to allow defendant final opportunity to engage.

Orders

  • Written judgment and order to be served on defendant.
  • Penalty to be determined at a subsequent hearing.