The Secretary of State for Business and Trade against Garry Pettigrew (Sheriff Court Civil) [2025] SCHAM 22 (07 March 2025)

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade against Garry Pettigrew (Sheriff Court Civil) [2025] SCHAM 22 (07 March 2025)

The respondent intentionally took and disseminated photographs of witnesses in the court building in breach of posted prohibitions, accompanied by derogatory comments on social media, thereby infringing the privacy and dignity of witnesses, intimidating them, and challenging the authority of the court, which constitutes contempt of court.

Citation
[2025] SCHAM 22
Parties
Minuter and Pursuer: The Secretary of State for Business and Trade; Respondent and Defender: Garry Pettigrew
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Judgment Date
07 March 2025
Procedural Posture
Contempt of Court (civil) / Judgment on Contempt Finding; Punishment Hearing to Be Assigned
Outcome
Respondent found in contempt of court; minuter's plea upheld; respondent's pleas repelled; punishment hearing to be assigned.
Legal Topics
Witness Intimidation, Courtroom Conduct, Social Media Misuse, Privacy of Witnesses, Administration of Justice
Civil Procedure Contempt of Court Witness Intimidation Courtroom Conduct Social Media Misuse Privacy of Witnesses Administration of Justice

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Parties

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade

Minuter and Pursuer

Garry Pettigrew

Respondent and Defender

Procedural Posture

Contempt of Court (civil) / Judgment on Contempt Finding; Punishment Hearing to Be Assigned

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the respondent took and disseminated photographs of witnesses in breach of court prohibition
  2. 2 Whether the respondent's conduct amounted to contempt of court by infringing witness privacy and dignity and challenging the authority of the court

Ratio Decidendi

The respondent intentionally took and disseminated photographs of witnesses in the court building in breach of posted prohibitions, accompanied by derogatory comments on social media, thereby infringing the privacy and dignity of witnesses, intimidating them, and challenging the authority of the court, which constitutes contempt of court.

Court Disposition

Respondent found in contempt of court; minuter's plea upheld; respondent's pleas repelled; punishment hearing to be assigned.

Orders

  • Respondent found in contempt of court.
  • Sheriff Clerk directed to assign a hearing on punishment and expenses.