England and Wales Case Law

Nikoletta Read v Claudio di Giovanni & Ors

The claimant failed to meet the threshold for interim injunctive relief under s12(3) HRA for misuse of private information, libel, malicious falsehood, and harassment due to insufficient evidence of serious harm, lack of urgency, and delay. The bulk of any damage had already occurred, and there was no real risk of further harm pending trial. Therefore, the application for an interim injunction was refused.

Source excerpt

• Interim injunctions
• Libel
• Misuse of private information
• Malicious falsehood
• Harassment
• Delay

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Ogunkami v Chia

Ogunkami v Chia [2026] EWCA Civ 588 (13 May 2026)

The Court of Appeal dismissed a libel damages appeal, holding the claimant had not properly pleaded or proved foreign publication harm and refusing a late amendment.

• Assessment of damages
• Jurisdiction
• Foreign publication
• Double actionability
• Default judgment
• Amendment of pleadings

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Idowu Ogunkami v Cynthia Chia

The Court of Appeal dismissed a libel damages appeal, holding the claimant had not properly pleaded or proved foreign publication harm and that £25,000 was adequate.

• Damages assessment
• Default judgment
• Jurisdiction
• Foreign publication
• Double actionability
• Amendment of pleadings

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Kayleigh Thorne & Anor v David Protheroe-Beynon

The High Court continued interim injunctions restraining harassment by emails and TikTok posts, finding the claimants likely to succeed at trial.

• Interim injunctions
• Protection from harassment act 1997
• Freedom of expression (echr art 10)
• Family proceedings confidentiality
• Civil restraint orders
• Interim-injunctions

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Rzucek v Vinnicombe

Rzucek v Vinnicombe [2026] EWHC 946 (KB) (23 April 2026)

The High Court awarded defamation damages and an injunction over YouTube videos about the Watts case, but dismissed the harassment remedy for want of jurisdiction.

• Protection from harassment act 1997
• Defamation
• Jurisdiction
• Relief from sanctions
• Damages
• Aggravated damages

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Benjamin James Smith & Anor v Richard Copestake

The High Court refused an interim injunction in a dispute over alleged defamation, harassment, breach of confidence and unlawful interference.

• Interim injunctions
• Freedom of expression
• Misuse of private information
• Unlawful interference
• Slapp
• Disclosure procedures

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Smith & Anor v Copestake

Smith & Anor v Copestake [2026] EWHC 924 (KB) (22 April 2026)

The High Court dismissed an application for interim injunctions in a defamation, harassment and confidence claim, finding the claimants had not met the required thresholds.

• Interim injunctions
• Freedom of expression
• Misuse of private information
• Unlawful interference
• Breach of contract
• Interim-injunctions

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BAL v KNZ (Rev1)

BAL v KNZ (Rev1) [2026] EWHC 339 (KB) (18 February 2026)

High Court appeal in a harassment claim allowed because the county court failed to address material allegations relevant to a course of conduct and injunction.

• Appeals
• Fresh evidence on appeal
• Protection from harassment act 1997
• Injunctions
• Judicial error
• Course of conduct

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Read v Claudio di Giovanni & Ors

Read v Claudio di Giovanni & Ors [2026] EWHC 243 (KB) (09 February 2026)

High Court refused an interim injunction in a claim over alleged blackmail, defamation, privacy misuse and harassment, finding the threshold tests unmet and delay significant.

• Interim injunctions
• Libel
• Malicious falsehood
• Misuse of private information
• Harassment
• Threshold for injunctive relief

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CF&L Ltd & Ors v Fraser & Ors

CF&L Ltd & Ors v Fraser & Ors [2025] EWHC 3350 (KB) (19 December 2025)

The High Court refused interim injunctions sought over online reviews, alleged harassment, and private information, holding the defendant’s defences were not bound to fail.

• Interim injunctions
• Libel
• Honest opinion defence
• Serious harm
• Misuse of private information
• Protection from harassment act 1997

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