North Warwickshire Borough Council v Reding & Anor [2022] EWHC 1483 (QB) (10 May 2022)

North Warwickshire Borough Council v Reding & Anor [2022] EWHC 1483 (QB) (10 May 2022)

Both defendants deliberately breached the interim injunction by protesting within the buffer zone and obstructing the entrance to the Kingsbury Oil Terminal. The breach was admitted at the first opportunity, entitling each to a one-third reduction in penalty. Given the limited means of both defendants and the low harm caused, a fine of £400 each, payable by instalments, is appropriate.

Citation
[2022] EWHC 1483
Parties
Claimant: North Warwickshire Borough Council; Defendant: Simon Reding; Defendant: Catherine Rennie-Nash
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 May 2022
Procedural Posture
Contempt of Court (breach of Interim Injunction) / Sentencing/penalty Determination After Admission of Breach
Outcome
Defendants found in contempt of court for admitted breach of interim injunction; each fined £400.
Legal Topics
Contempt of Court, Interim Injunctions, Protest Law, Sentencing for Breach of Injunction
Civil Procedure Environmental Law Public Order Contempt of Court Interim Injunctions Protest Law Sentencing for Breach of Injunction

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Parties

North Warwickshire Borough Council

Claimant

Simon Reding

Defendant

Catherine Rennie-Nash

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Contempt of Court (breach of Interim Injunction) / Sentencing/penalty Determination After Admission of Breach

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendants breached the interim injunction order of 14 April 2022
  2. 2 Appropriate penalty for admitted breach of injunction

Ratio Decidendi

Both defendants deliberately breached the interim injunction by protesting within the buffer zone and obstructing the entrance to the Kingsbury Oil Terminal. The breach was admitted at the first opportunity, entitling each to a one-third reduction in penalty. Given the limited means of both defendants and the low harm caused, a fine of £400 each, payable by instalments, is appropriate.

Court Disposition

Defendants found in contempt of court for admitted breach of interim injunction; each fined £400.

Orders

  • Simon Reding to pay a fine of £400, by instalments of £20 per month, first payment due by 4pm on 1 June 2022.
  • Catherine Rennie-Nash to pay a fine of £400, by instalments of £20 per month, first payment due by 4pm on 1 June 2022.