ADP Marine & Modular Proprietary Limited v Rocher and Others (5701/2022) [2025] ZAWCHC 281 (9 July 2025)

ADP Marine & Modular Proprietary Limited v Rocher and Others (5701/2022) [2025] ZAWCHC 281 (9 July 2025)

The court found that the applicant failed to demonstrate any necessity or urgency for repeated preservation relief, as the Anton Pillar order of 25 July 2023 already secured the preservation of the seized information and documentation in the custody of the Sheriff. No evidence of threat or interference was...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2025] ZAWCHC 281
Parties
Applicant: ADP Marine & Modular Proprietary Limited; Respondent: Emile Vivian Rocher; Respondent: Westarcor Engineering Proprietary Limited; Respondent: Hammer Tool Trading Proprietary Limited; Respondent: Hammer Tool Tech CC
Court
Western Cape High Court, Cape Town
Jurisdiction
South Africa
Case Number
5701/2022
Procedural Posture
Urgent Application / Final Determination of Application for Preservation and Use of Seized Information
Outcome
Application dismissed with costs, including costs of two counsel where employed.
Judges
Sipunzi
Legal Topics
Anton Pillar Order, Preservation of Evidence, Copyright Infringement, Confidential Information, Discovery Procedure, Criminal Complaint Utilisation
Civil Procedure Commercial and Corporate Intellectual Property Anton Pillar Order Preservation of Evidence Copyright Infringement Confidential Information Discovery Procedure +1 more

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Downloadable case file Legal principles 5 Authorities cited 11 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

ADP Marine & Modular Proprietary Limited

Applicant

Emile Vivian Rocher

Respondent

Westarcor Engineering Proprietary Limited

Respondent

Hammer Tool Trading Proprietary Limited

Respondent

Hammer Tool Tech CC

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Urgent Application / Final Determination of Application for Preservation and Use of Seized Information

  1. 1 Whether the applicant demonstrated necessity for repeated preservation relief already granted by prior Anton Pillar order.
  2. 2 Whether the applicant should be granted leave to use seized information and documentation to pursue criminal charges with SAPS.
  3. 3 Whether granting such relief would infringe respondents' right to a fair trial.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the applicant failed to demonstrate any necessity or urgency for repeated preservation relief, as the Anton Pillar order of 25 July 2023 already secured the preservation of the seized information and documentation in the custody of the Sheriff. No evidence of threat or interference was presented. Regarding the request to use the seized material for criminal complaints, the court held that the SAPS has sufficient statutory mechanisms to obtain evidence for criminal investigations, and it is not the role of the civil court to dictate or facilitate the use of such material in criminal proceedings. The court further found that the applicant's reliance on the implied...

Court Disposition

Application dismissed with costs, including costs of two counsel where employed.

Orders

  • The application is dismissed.
  • The applicant is ordered to pay the costs, including the costs of two counsel where so employed, on scale C for senior counsel and scale B for junior counsel.