Felstead & Ors v Post Office Ltd [2021] EWCA Crim 25 (15 January 2021)

Felstead & Ors v Post Office Ltd [2021] EWCA Crim 25 (15 January 2021)

No contempt proceedings were initiated on 18 or 19 November; court's priority was to ensure appeals proceeded without distraction; procedural requirements under Criminal Procedure Rules were not triggered by respondent's conduct; further consideration of contempt issues must be adjourned until after appeals and...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2021] EWCA Crim 25
Parties
Appellant: Tracy Felstead; Appellant: Janet Skinner; Appellant: Seema Misra; Respondent: Post Office Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
15 January 2021
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Interlocutory Ruling on Contempt and Directions
Outcome
Adjournment of consideration of contempt issues; no contempt proceedings initiated; directions given for appeals and future hearings.
Legal Topics
Abuse of Process, Disclosure, Contempt of Court, Professional Conduct
Criminal Law Civil Procedure Abuse of Process Disclosure Contempt of Court Professional Conduct

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Parties

Tracy Felstead

Appellant

Janet Skinner

Appellant

Seema Misra

Appellant

Post Office Limited

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Interlocutory Ruling on Contempt and Directions

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether improper disclosure of privileged material constitutes contempt of court
  2. 2 Whether contempt proceedings were properly initiated under Criminal Procedure Rules
  3. 3 Procedural fairness in contempt allegations

Ratio Decidendi

No contempt proceedings were initiated on 18 or 19 November; court's priority was to ensure appeals proceeded without distraction; procedural requirements under Criminal Procedure Rules were not triggered by respondent's conduct; further consideration of contempt issues must be adjourned until after appeals and heard by a different constitution.

Court Disposition

Adjournment of consideration of contempt issues; no contempt proceedings initiated; directions given for appeals and future hearings.

Orders

  • Further consideration of contempt issues adjourned until after appeals concluded.
  • All further hearings on contempt to be before a different constitution.