England and Wales Case Law

Birmingham City Council v Persons Unknown who participate or

There have been no material changes in fact or law since the last review to justify discharge or variation of the injunction and power of arrest. The orders have had a deterrent effect but the risk of street cruising persists. The procedural and substantive requirements for continuation are met, with minor amendments for clarity and reinstatement of signage requirements.

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• Injunctions
• Persons unknown
• Anti-social behaviour
• Contempt of court
• Alternative service
• Power of arrest

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Gable Insurance AG (Incorporated in Liechtenstein) (In Liquidation) v William Dewsall & Ors

Costs orders must reflect both the outcome of the trial and the conduct of the parties in interim applications. Where a party is successful at trial, they are generally entitled to their costs unless conduct justifies a reduction. Indemnity costs are justified only where conduct is outside the norm. For interim applications, costs may be reserved to trial and determined in light of the overall outcome and conduct. Where interim relief is obtained but the claim fails, or vice versa, the court must balance justice and proportionality in allocating costs, including reductions for partial success…

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• Costs
• Freezing orders
• Search orders
• Disclosure
• Contempt of court
• Indemnity costs

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Edward Williams v The Attorney General's Office

The Tribunal refused to certify the Attorney General’s Office for contempt, holding its fresh FOIA response did not clearly breach the substituted decision notice.

• Freedom of information act
• Contempt of court
• Tribunal procedure
• Decision notice compliance
• Freedom-of-information
• Tribunal-contempt

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Bargain Busting Limited v Shenzhen SKE Technology Company Limited & Ors

The High Court ordered the claimant in contempt proceedings to pay indemnity costs, ordered £215,000 on account, and refused permission to appeal.

• Costs
• Indemnity costs
• Abuse of process
• Contempt of court
• Permission to appeal
• Indemnity-costs

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Deutsche Bank AG v Vik

Deutsche Bank AG v Vik [2026] EWCA Civ 581 (12 May 2026)

The Court of Appeal held that a further Part 71 examination order could be made to enforce compliance with an earlier, properly served order despite non-compliance.

• Inherent jurisdiction
• Cpr part 71
• Enforcement against corporate judgment debtors
• Contempt of court
• Ancillary orders
• Jurisdiction over officers of judgment debtors

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Peter Cleasby v University of Exeter & Anor

The Upper Tribunal found the University of Exeter in contempt for 14 months of non-compliance with a disclosure order and imposed a £15,000 fine plus publication.

• Contempt of court
• Freedom of information
• Sanctions for non-compliance
• Tribunal orders
• Contempt-of-court
• Freedom-of-information

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Martin Clements v Potto Parish Council

The Tribunal certified Potto Parish Council’s failure to comply with a substituted decision notice and directions for possible contempt under FOIA section 61.

• Freedom of information act compliance
• Contempt of court
• Tribunal enforcement powers
• Freedom-of-information-act
• Contempt-of-court
• Tribunal-enforcement-powers

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Tewkesbury Borough Council v Billy-Joe Roper & Ors

Deliberate and/or reckless breaches of the injunction over two years, with high culpability and lack of early admission, cross the threshold for a custodial sentence. Mitigation and substantial compliance justify suspension of the sentence for two years, conditional on further compliance.

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• Contempt of court
• Injunction enforcement
• Sanctions for breach
• Planning control

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Lee Feldman & Anor v Gambling Commission

Permission to appeal was refused as the grounds did not meet the threshold of real prospect of success or compelling reason. A reporting restriction order was granted only in respect of specific findings in the judgment that posed a substantial risk of prejudice to the administration of justice in pending criminal proceedings, but not for the entire judgment, balancing open justice against the risk of prejudice.

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• Reporting restrictions
• Open justice
• Contempt of court
• Right to fair trial
• Freedom of expression

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Sevenoaks District Council v Delaney & Ors

Sevenoaks District Council v Delaney & Ors [2026] EWHC 977 (KB) (22 April 2026)

The High Court found the defendants liable for contempt of court for breaching interim injunctions by occupying and developing land at Seasons Farm without planning permission.

• Injunctions
• Contempt of court
• Planning permission
• Traveller rights
• Service of court orders
• Standard of proof

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