Judges: Sir Terence Etherton Ch, Rix, Lewison LJJ Citations: [2013] EWCA Civ 149 Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Iqbal v Dean Manson Solicitors CA 15-Feb-2011 The claimant sought protection under the Act from his former employers’ behaviour in making repeated allegations against him. He … Continue reading Iqbal v Dean Manson Solicitors and Others (No 2): CA 5 Mar 2013
Parties to litigation had made without prejudice disclosures. One party sought to give evidence contradicting the dsclosure, and the other now applied for leave to amend based upon the without prejudice statements to be admitted to demonstrate the perjury. Held: The court had to balance the competing needs of fairness and expedition. There was nothing … Continue reading Savings and Investment Bank Ltd (In Liquidation) v Fincken: CA 14 Nov 2003
Application for leave to appeal against sentence – granted. Judges: David Clarke J, Lloyd-Jones J Citations: [2010] EWCA Crim 1075 Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Criminal Sentencing Updated: 25 August 2022; Ref: scu.424859
Judges: Sweeney J Citations: [2009] EWHC 2716 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection against Harassment Act 1997 83 Citing: Cited – Handyside v The United Kingdom ECHR 7-Dec-1976 Freedom of Expression is Fundamental to SocietyThe appellant had published a ‘Little Red Schoolbook’. He was convicted under the 1959 and 1964 Acts on the basis that the … Continue reading Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd and Others v Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (‘SHAC’) and Others: QBD 30 Oct 2009
The claimant’s daughter had made a complaint of rape. She alleged that she was sexually harassed by the investigating police officer, and sought damages also from the defendant, his employer. The officer denied that anything improper or non-consensual had taken place. Held: The taking of the statements was a course of conduct and was plainly … Continue reading KD v Chief Constable of Hampshire: QBD 23 Nov 2005
Applications for injunction. Judges: Owen J Citations: [2003] EWHC 2337 (QB), [2004] 1 WLR 1503 Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection Against Harassment Act 19973 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Litigation Practice Updated: 07 July 2022; Ref: scu.263158
The claimant and her son sought to visit her other son in Leeds Prison. He was suspected of involvement in drugs, and therefore she was subjected to strip searches. There was no statutory support for the search. The son’s penis had been touched which was a battery. Held: The policy considerations which limit the heads … Continue reading Wainwright and another v Home Office: HL 16 Oct 2003
The bank appealed against a finding that it had harassed the claimant customer by its repeated telephone calls. Held: The appeal failed as to liability and quantum.Harassment can occur even if the conduct in question is, at first sight, commonplace or unremarkable. Judges: Arden, Jackson, McCombe LJJ Citations: [2013] EWCA Civ 882 Links: Bailii Statutes: … Continue reading Roberts v Bank of Scotland Plc: CA 11 Jun 2013
Identification of Company’s Directing Mind In a prosecution under the 1968 Act, the court discussed how to identify the directing mind and will of a company, and whether employees remained liable when proper instructions had been given to those in charge of a local store. Held: ‘In the expression ‘act or default’ in section 23 … Continue reading Tesco Supermarkets Ltd v Nattrass: HL 31 Mar 1971
The court struck out a claim for damages against an employer for harassment under the 1997 Act. Judges: Gray J Citations: [2003] EWHC 1230 Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1977 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Majrowski v Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust CA 16-Mar-2005 The claimant had sought damages against his … Continue reading Sharma v Wells and Medico-Legal Investigations Ltd: QBD 2003
The claimants sought injunctions and orders under the act against the respondent in respect of acts of harrassment intended variously to dissuade the companies form engaging in activities disapproved by the respondents. Held: The Act was not available to protect companies. Orders were granted for the individuals employed by them who had been affected, but … Continue reading Daiichi UK Ltd and others v Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty and Others; Asahi Glass UK ltd and others v Same; Eisaai Ltd v Same; Yam,anouchi Pharma UK Ltd and others v Same; Sankyo Pharma UK Ltd and others v Same: QBD 13 Oct 2003
Appeal by a bank against an order made against it in proceedings for unlawful harassment. Held: Appeal dismissed. Lloyd, Jackson, Beatson LJJ [2013] EWCA Civ 982 Bailii Protection from Harassment Act 1997 England and Wales Torts – Other, Banking Updated: 19 November 2021; Ref: scu.514390
The absence of any other explanation for the unfair dismissal of a black worker, does not of itself and inescapably lead to finding of race bias, or racial discrimination. He had been dismissed following complaints of sexual harassment, later found to be unsupported. The tribunal reasoned that the dismissal was to be presumed to be … Continue reading Strathclyde Regional Council v Zafar; Zafar v Glasgow City Council: HL 16 Oct 1997
The defendant sought to appeal against a ‘stand-alone’ anti-social behaviour order. The parties disputed whether an appeal lay. The act created an appeal against the making of an order but in this case it was a renewed order. Held: In the county court there is a right of appeal against an ASBO and its variation … Continue reading Langley v Preston Crown Court and others: CACD 30 Oct 2008
Harassment Occurs on the Result, not the Intention The claimant said that over several years, the respondent had pursued him in many ways challenging his management of a company’s affairs. Complaints had been investigated by the insolvency service and by the police who had discovered nothing to support futher action. The respondent said that his … Continue reading Hayes v Willoughby: CA 13 Dec 2011
The defendant had been acquitted of having a bladed article in a public pace, and now appealed against the making of a restraining order against him under the 1977 Act. Held: The appeal succeeded: ‘the requirements of the making of a restraining order under section 5A were not made out in this case. The test … Continue reading Jose, Regina v: CACD 23 May 2013
The claimant and appellant had been employer and employee who had fallen out, with a settlement in 2005. The appellant then began an unpleasant and obsessive personal vendetta against Mr Hayes, complaining to public bodies with allegations of tax evasion, fraud and similar. Several investigations all concluded against the appellant, and indeed disproved in 2007. … Continue reading Hayes v Willoughby: SC 20 Mar 2013
The claimant, in a representative action complained that the works involved in the erection of the Canary Wharf tower constituted a nuisance in that the works created substantial clouds of dust and the building blocked her TV signals, so as to limit her enjoyment of her land. Held: The interference with TV reception by an … Continue reading Hunter and Others v Canary Wharf Ltd: HL 25 Apr 1997
Nine police officers claimed damages for alleged harassment under the 1997 Act by a senior officer in having bullied them and ordered them to carry out unlawful procedures. Amendments were sought which were alleged to be out of time and to have arisen from different facts. Held: Amendments were allowed where they arose from the … Continue reading Dowson and Others v Northumbria Police: QBD 30 Apr 2009
The claimant appealed against the striking out of his claim of harassment against the Authority who had contacted him in an intended review of pensions mis-selling. They had contacted him once by letter, once by telephone and once by e-mail. Held: The judge had failed properly to make an assessment of the case, but even … Continue reading Calland v Financial Conduct Authority: CA 13 Mar 2015
The respondent had been sentenced to two months imprisonment for breaches of orders under the Act. The wife appealed, seeking to increase the sentence. The maximum sentence was two years.
Held: The court had to consider such cases in the light . .
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Judges: Field J Citations: [2004] EWHC 194 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection Against Harassment Act 1997 3 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Torts – Other Updated: 30 June 2022; Ref: scu.431905
The claimant applied to the Council for accommodation, claiming to be homeless and in priority need. The council housed him in a hotel owned by Mr Manek in Tooting Bec . He had a room, a separate bathroom and lavatory, and shared use of a kitchen. After three days the council completed their investigations. Though … Continue reading Mohamed v Manek and Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea: CA 28 Apr 1995
The appellant was receiving care and support from social services. He was found to have abused and threatened the team leader in telephone calls to her. He appealed against a conviction under the 1997 Act, saying that his calls did not amount to a course of conduct because on two of the three occasions, she … Continue reading James v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 4 Nov 2009
The claimants ran a guinea pig farm. They and their neighbours applied for injunctions and an exclusion zone to keep away the defendants who campaigned against the breeding of animals for research. Held: The claimants had been subjected to a long and sustained campaign of harassment by the defendant organisation and its associates. The court … Continue reading Hall and others v Save Newchurch Guinea Pigs (Campaign) and others: QBD 17 Mar 2005
The court addressed the principles upon which a Court will grant interlocutory injunctive relief in harassment cases. Held: Both the High Court and the County Court had jurisdiction under the 1981 and 1984 Acts to grant interlocutory injunctions in wide terms to restrain conduct that was not in itself tortuous or otherwise unlawful, if such … Continue reading Burris v Azadani: CA 27 Jul 1995
Appeal from conviction of acting in breach of a restraining order, contrary to section 5(5) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (count 1) and making threats to kill, contrary to section 16 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 (count 2). Judges: Goose J Citations: [2019] EWCA Crim 853 Links: Bailii Statutes: Offences … Continue reading Dillion, Regina v: CACD 11 Apr 2019
The claimant child sought damages and an injunction from and against the defendant newspapers, alleging harassment and breach of her privacy. At times there had been as many as ten reporters encamped outside her house. Judges: Nicola Davies J Citations: [2012] EWHC 2103 (QB), [2013] EMLR 2 Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997, … Continue reading AAA v Associated Newspapers Ltd: QBD 25 Jul 2012
The defendant appealed against his sentence of 12 months’ imprisonment for putting a person in fear of violence, together with a restraining order for 5 years under the 1997 Act. Held: The parties had been in a domestic relationship. The offender had a history of violence, but nothing recent. It is clear that the complainant … Continue reading Regina v Taylor: CACD 11 Jun 2010
The several defendants were said to have conducted against the claimants, protesting at their involvement in arms design and manufacture. The claimant sought orders under the 1997 Act to restrain them thus protecting its staff. Held: The orders were made. The test of purpose under the 1997 Act was subjective. Judges: Walker J Citations: [2005] … Continue reading EDO MBM v Axworthy: QBD 4 Nov 2005
The court had granted an injunction to restrain the defendant from flying aircraft trailing banners abusive of the claimant. He now said that this infringed his right to free speech, and that his actions were permitted by virtue of section 1(3). Held: Eady J drew from Hansard the proposition that the sub-section was framed with … Continue reading Howlett v Holding: QBD 25 Jan 2006
The defendant environmental protesters had been convicted of obstructing a railway. They now appealed against the terms of a restraining order made under the 1997 Act. They said that an order could not be made to protect a limited company. Held: The appeal was allowed. Although the case law did allow such an order in … Continue reading Buxton and Others, Regina v: CACD 1 Dec 2010
The defendant appealed against his conviction for harassment. He was said to have used an imitation firearm to put a person in fear of violence. The prosecution had used texts received to the defendant’s mobile phone as ‘bad character’ evidence. The judge had ruled that they were not statements and therefore not hearsay and were … Continue reading Regina v Chrysostomou: CACD 24 Jun 2010
(Scotland) The respondent was to be extradited to Taiwan to serve the balance of a prison term. His appeal succeeded and the order quashed on the basis that his treatment in the Taiwanese prison system would infringe his human rights. The Lord Advocate now appealed. Held: The question was a devolution issue, being ‘a question … Continue reading Lord Advocate (Representing The Taiwanese Judicial Authorities) v Dean: SC 28 Jun 2017
Grant of injunction to restrain animal rights protesters. Judges: The Honourable Mr Justice Nicklin Citations: [2022] EWHC 1715 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – MBR Acres Ltd and Others v Free The MBR Beagles and Others QBD 31-Mar-2022 . . Cited – Birmingham City … Continue reading MBR Acres Limited and Others v Free The MBR Beagles and Others: QBD 20 Jun 2022
Reason for grant of injunction to restrain demonstrations outside a school. Judges: Warby J Citations: [2019] EWHC 1619 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Birmingham City Council v Afsar and Others QBD 18-Jun-2019 The Council sought an interim order restraining a protest outside one … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v Afsar and Others: QBD 25 Jun 2019
The defendant was an animal rights protester who had been convicted under section 2(2) of the 1997 Act of engaging in a course of conduct amounting to harassment of the employees of a company. The District Judge hearing the case made a restraining order against him. Held: The court rejected the appellant’s primary ground (the … Continue reading Director Of Public Prosecutions v Dziurzynski: Admn 28 Jun 2002
GlaxoSmithKline sought an injunction to restrain unlawful conduct by way of trespass and harassment by animal rights activists done with the aim of preventing the use of animals in medical research. Held: The court discussed whether an order was available under the 1997 Act to protect a company. It did.Jack J said: ‘By section 5 … Continue reading Smithkline Beecham Plc and Others v Avery and Others (Representing Stop Huntingdon Cruelty (‘SHAC’): QBD 26 Jun 2009
The claimant sought an interim injunction to restrain the defendants in anticipation of a final hearing of their request for a permanent injunction under the 1997 Act. Judges: Gross J Citations: [2005] EWHC 837 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Cited by: See Also – EDO MBM v Axworthy QBD 4-Nov-2005 The … Continue reading EDO Mbm Technology Ltd v Campaign To Smash EDO and Others: QBD 29 Apr 2005
The claimant appealed against a strike out of his claim for harrassment after being subjected to five sets of possession proceedings by the defendant, each of which relied upon the same bad point. Held: The Court refused to strike out a claim for harassment by a tenant who (in the circumstances set out in the … Continue reading Allen v London Borough of Southwark: CA 12 Nov 2008
Harassment to Criminal Level needed to Convict The claimant had been a customer of the defendant, but had moved to another supplier. She was then subjected to a constant stream of threatening letters which she could not stop despite re-assurances and complaints. The defendant now appealed against a refusal to strike out the claim of … Continue reading Ferguson v British Gas Trading Ltd: CA 10 Feb 2009
Appeal against an order dismissing his without notice application for an anti-harassment injunction against the Respondent. The Judge dismissed the Application on the single ground that she did not have jurisdiction to make the order sought. The Judge appeared to have failed to consider whether she had jurisdiction by reference to section 37(1) of the … Continue reading Cant v Seton: CA 29 Jul 2020
Renewed application for leave to appeal against sentence for three offences of administering a poison or noxious substance so as to endanger life, contrary to section 23 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 (counts 1-3), and for child cruelty, contrary to section 1 (1) of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (count … Continue reading AD, Regina v: CACD 26 Jul 2019
Inherent High Court power may restrain Publicity The claimant child’s mother was to be tried for the murder of his brother by poisoning with salt. It was feared that the publicity which would normally attend a trial, would be damaging to S, and an application was made for reporting restrictions to be applied to avoid … Continue reading In re S (a Child) (Identification: Restrictions on Publication): HL 28 Oct 2004
Appeal against conviction and sentence for harassment. Judges: Otton LJ, Hidden J, Sir Richard Tucker Citations: [2000] EWCA Crim 93 Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Crime Updated: 12 July 2022; Ref: scu.263620
The claimant, now aged four and the son of a famous author, was photographed by use of a long lens, but in a public street. He now sought removal of the photograph from the defendant’s catalogue, and damages for breach of confidence. Held: The claim was struck out. In effect this was an application for … Continue reading Murray v Express Newspapers Plc and Another: ChD 7 Aug 2007
The claimant appealed denial of her claim for damages for psychological injury. She complained that her employer had failed to prevent her and other female employees being bullied by a co-worker, and they committed a breach of statutory duty in failing to prevent harassment under the 1997 Act. Held: There was insufficient evidence to say … Continue reading Banks v Ablex Ltd: CA 24 Feb 2005
The defendant appealed by case stated against his conviction for harassment. He was said to have played loud music late at night in contravention of a restraining order. He said that the prosecution had failed to prove the existence of the order. The magistrates argued that since that court had made the order, no certified … Continue reading Barber v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 25 Oct 2004
The claimant appealed against rejection of her claim for damages after harassment by the defendant’s officers. Citations: [2018] EWHC 2988 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Police, Torts – Other, Human Rights Updated: 13 June 2022; Ref: scu.628907
The claimant had sued her former employer for post-traumatic stress resulting from alleged harassment at her place of work. The claimant appealed against an order refusing damages. The court had held that outside the 1997 Act which was not in force at the time, there was no tort of harassment. The question was the extent … Continue reading Wong v Parkside Health NHS Trust and Another: CA 16 Nov 2001
A policewoman, having made a complaint of serious sexual assault against a fellow officer complained again that the Commissioner had failed to protect her against retaliatory assaults. Her claim was struck out, but restored on appeal. Held: Her claim was arguable. It was possible that the Commissioner owed to her a similar duty as would … Continue reading Waters v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis: HL 27 Jul 2000
The respondent appealed against an order for possession made on the grounds that he had been convicted of breach of an order under the 1997 Act in harassing his daughter who lived nearby the premises. The tenant argued that the agreement had incorporated a version of the Housing Act before its amendment to allow possession … Continue reading North British Housing Association Ltd v Sheridan: CA 29 Jul 1999
The claimants, a solicitor and his wife, sought damages in harassment and data protection, against a party to proceedings in which he was acting professionally, and against the investigative firm instructed by them. The defendants now requested the claims to be struck out. Held: The claim of harassment could not be struck out merely because … Continue reading Gerrard and Another v Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation Ltd and Another: QBD 27 Nov 2020
The appellant appealed by case stated against the dismissal of his appeal against his conviction by the magistrates’ court of harassment contrary to section 2 of the PHA. The appellant and the victim were neighbours, and there was a history of civil litigation between them which included boundary disputes. The victim was an employee of … Continue reading Kellett v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 2001
Moses LJ said: ‘The Crown Court was undoubtedly correct to follow the guidance of the Court of Appeal in R v Haque. The three requirements identified include as a second requirement the conduct must be calculated to produce the consequences described in section 7 and thus the defendant must have intended to alarm the complainant … Continue reading Plavelil v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 2014
Reasons for allowing of appeal from conviction of offence of putting someone in fear. Held: ‘The emphasis in the summing up was not on what amounts to harassment but what amounts to assault. Further direction was required as to what can be a course of conduct amounting to harassment. Description of a number of acts … Continue reading Widdows, Regina v: CACD 21 Jun 2011
The defendant appealed against his conviction under the 1977 Act. He and the complainant had been in a volatile relationship. Both were police constables. He said that though there had been incidents, they had not amounted to a course of conduct within the Act. Held: The issue is whether, on the evidence, the appellant had … Continue reading Regina v Curtis: CACD 9 Feb 2010
The defendant appealed against conviction under section 4(1) of the 1997 Act. It was not disputed that the prosecution had to prove (1) that there had been a course of conduct on the part of the appellant, (2) that the course of conduct had caused the complainant to fear on at least two occasions that … Continue reading Regina v Haque: CACD 26 Jul 2011
The second claimant was wife to a businessman involved in football. It was said that the defendant, manager of Leeds United, together with the club and a radio station had harassed the first claimant. She was affected but not the intended victim. She appealed dismissal of her claim. Held: The 1997 Act did not require … Continue reading Levi and Another v Bates and Others: CA 12 Mar 2015
Six officers sought damages under the 1997 Act alleging harassment by a senior officer of the defendant. Held: Simon J set out what a claimant must prove in an harassment claim: ‘(1) There must be conduct which occurs on at least two occasions, (2) which is targeted at the claimant, (3) which is calculated in … Continue reading Dowson and Others v Chief Constable of Northumbria Police: QBD 20 Oct 2010
The claimant said that he had been harassed by the respondent through an employee. Held: Under the 1997 Act, the behaviour had to go beyond the regrettable to the unacceptable, and would be of such gravity as would sustain criminal liability under section 1.Buxton LJ said: ‘Crucial to that [the type of conduct that crosses … Continue reading Conn v Sunderland: CA 7 Nov 2007
The claimant had sought damages against his employer, saying that they had failed in their duty to him under the 1997 Act in failing to prevent harassment by a manager. He appealed a strike out of his claim. Held: The appeal succeeded. The issue is whether an employer may be vicariously liable under section 3 … Continue reading Majrowski v Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust: CA 16 Mar 2005
The claimant sought protection under the Act from his former employers’ behaviour in making repeated allegations against him. He appealed against the striking out of his claim. Held: The appeal suceeded. The matter should go to trial. The defendants had written three letters and ‘these three letters, particularly when viewed in the light of each … Continue reading Iqbal v Dean Manson Solicitors: CA 15 Feb 2011
The publication of articles in a newspaper describing how a ‘black clerk’ had complained about the allegedly racist comments of two policemen was said to have caused the claimant to receive racist hate mail. Held: The court considered the type of conduct which had to be proved to bring the case within the statute. Publication … Continue reading Thomas v News Group Newspapers Ltd: CA 18 Jul 2001
A civilian police worker had reported officers for racist remarks. The newspaper repeatedly printed articles and encouraged correspondence which was racially motivated, to the acute distress of the complainant. Held: Repeated newspaper stories which were known to create distress, could amount to harassment under the Act. The freedom of the press could be set aside … Continue reading Thomas v News Group Newspapers Ltd and Simon Hughes: CA 18 Jul 2001
The defendant appealed against his convictions for harassment. He said that since he suffered from schizophrenia, the test for whether his actions had been reasonable should be relaxed. Held: The test of whether actions constituted harassment under the Act was an objective one – would a reasonable person think it amounted to harassment? Accordingly the … Continue reading Regina v Colohan: CACD 17 May 2001
Citations: [2001] EWHC Admin 483 Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Regina v Haque CACD 26-Jul-2011 The defendant appealed against conviction under section 4(1) of the 1997 Act. It was not disputed that the prosecution had to prove (1) that there had been a course of conduct … Continue reading Pratt v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 2001
The defendant having pleaded guilty to an offence under the Act, involving repeated calls to the staff of a residential home, and having been sentenced, was also made subject to a restraining order that he should not ‘contact or communicate with any member of staff’. Held: The Act did not permit such an order, and … Continue reading Regina v Mann: CACD 6 Apr 2000
The appellant had been convicted by the magistrates of an offence under section 2 of the Act. He had made three abusive telephone calls within a few minutes of one another to the victim’s mobile, in the middle of the night. The victim did not receive the calls at that time and they were recorded … Continue reading Kelly v Director of Public Prosecutions: Admn 2001
When attaching a power of arrest on a non-molestation order the court should consider attaching it only to that element which restricts violence or proximity rather than to any part relating to harassment. When considering sentence for a breach, the court should consider the full circumstances, including any mitigation, and its full range of powers, … Continue reading Hale v Tanner: CA 22 Aug 2000
The defendant appealed against the making against him of an order under the 1977 Act on his acquittal for a different substantive offence. Held: The judge is required to identify the factual basis for imposing an order and that it must not be overlooked that, absent a conviction, it may not be possible to determine … Continue reading Regina v Lawrence: CACD 2012
The claimants said that they had been tortured by Saudi police when arrested on false charges. They sought damages, and appealed against an order denying jurisdiction over the defendants. They said that the allegation of torture allowed an exception to state immunity. Held: The Kingdom’s appeal succeeded. The protection of state immunity was essentially a … Continue reading Jones v Ministry of Interior for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and others: HL 14 Jun 2006
The appellant, an Indian teacher had applied unsuccessfully for the post of head of history at Holloway School. He complained of race discrimination. Held: Browne-Wilkinson P said: ‘As has been pointed out many times, a person complaining that he has been unlawfully discriminated against faces great difficulties. There is normally not available to him any … Continue reading Chattopadhyay v Headmaster of Holloway School: EAT 1981
The respondent was employed as a shot firer in a quarry, and was to test the electric wiring connecting explosive charges. Contrary to instructions that testing must be done from a shelter, the respondent and another shot firer carried out a test in the open and they were both injured. Held: The employer’s appeal succeeded. … Continue reading Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd v Shatwell: HL 6 Jul 1964
Appeal by the defendant housing association against a judgment holding that the Association had unlawfully harassed two of its tenants contrary to s1 of the 1997 At. Judges: Kitchin LJ, Rose J Citations: [2018] EWCA Civ 1125 Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 1 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing, Torts – Other Updated: … Continue reading Worthington and Another v Metropolitan Housing Trust Ltd: CA 17 May 2018
The defendant having been found not guilty of two charges of harassment appealed against an order nevertheless preventing him from contacting the complainant, his estranged wife. Judges: Levesaon LJ, Williams, Davies JJ Citations: [2011] EWCA Crim 1843, (2011) 175 JP 378, [2011] Crim LR 890 Links: Bailii Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 5A Jurisdiction: … Continue reading Regina v Kapotra: CACD 26 Jul 2011
An harassment claim was being considered. It was suggested that a defendant sought revenge against the claimant. Judges: Eady J Citations: [2004] EWHC 2554 (QB). Statutes: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: See Also – Merelie v Newcastle Primary Care Trust QBD 21-Feb-2006 . .See Also – Merelie v Newcastle … Continue reading Merelie v Newcastle Primary Care Trust: QBD 11 Nov 2004
The claimant had been made bankrupt, and sought an order against his trustee under the 1997 Act. The trustee now requested that the claim be struck out. Held: The application was struck out, but the matter referred to the County Court for trial. Judges: Nugee J Citations: [2014] EWHC 4557 (Ch), [2015] BPIR 287, [2015] … Continue reading Hayes v Butters and Others: ChD 10 Dec 2014
Liability in Damages on Statute Breach to be Clear Damages were to be awarded against a Local Authority for breach of statutory duty in a care case only if the statute was clear that damages were capable of being awarded. in the ordinary case a breach of statutory duty does not, by itself, give rise … Continue reading X (Minors) v Bedfordshire County Council; M (A Minor) and Another v Newham London Borough Council; Etc: HL 29 Jun 1995
The appellant appealed against the refusal of the Leeds Magistrates to vary or discharge a restraining order under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. The recorder at the crown court ruled the court did not have jurisdiction to hear the appeal. Because section 5(4) was silent as to any right of appeal it was accepted … Continue reading Lee v Leeds Crown Court: 2006
The defendant appealed against his conviction for stalking under the 1977 Act, saying that the complainant had been put in fear on only one occasion. Held: The appeal failed: ‘a plain and natural reading of the wording of section 4A (1)(b) (i) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 reveals that the section is wide … Continue reading Qosja, Regina v: CACD 22 Sep 2016
The defendant appealed against his convictions under the 1977 Act. Held: Under section 1(2) the deprivation of occupation for one day was insufficient. To constitute an offence, the deprivation had to take the character of an eviction. However, the appeal against the offence under section 1(3) failed. It was sufficient to establish that the acts, … Continue reading Regina v Yuthiwattana: CACD 1984
The claimants, two solicitors and their employer firm sought damages alleging trespass and malicious procurement by police officers in obtaining and executing search warrants against the firm in 2007 when they were investigating suspected offences of money laundering. Clients of the firm had been arrested and convicted of drug dealing related offences. The firm was … Continue reading Fitzpatrick and Others v The Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: QBD 11 Jan 2012
Claim for injunctions requiring the Defendant, the publisher of the ‘Solicitors from Hell’ website (‘the Website’), to cease publication of the Website in its entirety and to restrain him from publishing any similar website. Tugendhat J [2011] EWHC 3185 (QB) Bailii Protection from Harassment Act 1997, Data Protection Act 1998 England and Wales Cited by: … Continue reading Law Society and others v Kordowski: QBD 7 Dec 2011
Police Data Retention Justifiable The appellants challenged the collection of data by the police, alleging that its retention interfered with their Article 8 rights. C complained of the retention of records of his lawful activities attending political demonstrations, and T complained of the retention of an harassment warning issued against him. The Commissioner now appealed … Continue reading Catt and T, Regina (on The Applications of) v Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: SC 4 Mar 2015
The applicant having been discharged of offences under the 1988 Act, the Court nevertheless imposed an order on him in his absence under the 1997 Act prohibiting him from contacting the complainant for a period of 10 years. He sought to appeal from that order. Held: The procedure had indeed been unfair: ‘ The decision … Continue reading Khan, Regina v: CACD 21 Oct 2021
The appellant had been charged with an offence of putting a person in fear of violence through harassment, contrary to section 4 of the 1997 Act. She was acquitted of count 1, but the jury could not agree on its verdict on the alternative offence of harassment contrary to section 2 of the Act and … Continue reading Major, Regina v: CACD 1 Dec 2010
This appeal raises the issue of whether a post acquittal restraining order made under section 5A of the 1997 Act was properly made against the Appellant after he had been acquitted of offences of making threats to kill, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, theft and criminal damage. Held: this is an order which is imposed … Continue reading Baldwin, Regina v: CACD 14 May 2021
The claimant sought permanent worldwide injunctions against the defendants to restrain them from harrassing their staff. The companies were involved in medical research involving animal experiments. Held: On the written evidence put before the court the test for summary judgment in CPR 24.2 was satisfied. McGowan J [2014] EWHC 3429 (QB) Bailii Protection from Harassment … Continue reading Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd and Others v Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty and Others: QBD 27 Oct 2014
The court gave its reasons for granting an interim injunction to prevent the defendants publshing materials on their web-sites which were said to harrass the claimants. Held: Whilst it was important to protect the identity of the claimants, the need for open justice was also real and the two could be reconciled by anonymisation of … Continue reading QRS v Beach and Another: QBD 26 Sep 2014
The parties had divorced but acrimony continued. H now complained of his arrests after allegations from his former wife that he had breached two orders. He had been released and no charges followed. The court had ruled that W’s complaints were protected by immunity. Held: H’s appeals failed. ‘The policy of the immunity rule applies … Continue reading Crawford v Jenkins: CA 24 Jul 2014
The claimant sought damages from her former employers, asserting that workplace bullying and harassment had caused injury to her health. She had had a long term history of depression after being abused as a child, and the evidence was conflicting, but she said that the renewed depression arose after many low level acts of exclusion … Continue reading Helen Green v DB Group Services (UK) Ltd: QBD 1 Aug 2006
The plaintiffs had been indicted on counts alleging conspiracy to import drugs and conspiracy to forge traveller’s cheques. During the criminal trial it emerged that there had been such inadequate disclosure by the police that the proceedings were stayed as an abuse of process. The plaintiffs then instituted civil proceedings alleging conspiracy to injure and … Continue reading Darker v Chief Constable of The West Midlands Police: HL 1 Aug 2000
The claimant sought judicial review of the defendant’s refusal to discontinue the prosecution of the claimant. The judge had suggested that the defendant could submit to a restraining order without a finding of guilt. The CPS had concluded that no such agreement could be reached after an acquittal on the offer of no evidence, but … Continue reading Smith, Regina (on The Application of) v Crown Prosecution Service: Admn 24 Nov 2010
The claimants, the daughter and former partner of a well known actor, sought an injunction under the 1997 Act against unknown persons to prevent them taking and publishing images taken in public places. The actor had taken a stand against media intrusion, and the claimant had received anonymous instructions to tell him to cease. This … Continue reading Ting Lan Hong and KLM (A Child) v XYZ and Others: QBD 18 Nov 2011
The claimant had obtained an interim injunction to restrain the defendant publishing what he said was private information about a sexual encounter. He also sought an injunction under the 1997 Act. Held: The claim succeeded: ‘there have been threats by the defendant to disclose private information concerning the claimants and harassment of them. As to … Continue reading McClaren v News Group Newspapers Ltd: QBD 5 Sep 2012
The claimant appealed against an order which had rejected his claim against the defendant under the 1997 Act on the basis that a company could not commit the offence. Held: The appeal was allowed. Under the 1978 Act, a ‘person’ included a body corporate unless the contrary was shown. The restriction created by section 7(5) … Continue reading Kosar v Bank of Scotland Plc (T/A Halifax): Admn 18 Jan 2011
Employer can be liable for Managers Harassment The claimant employee sought damages, saying that he had been bullied by his manager and that bullying amounting to harassment under the 1997 Act. The employer now appealed a finding that it was responsible for a tort committed by a manager, saying that the intention of the Act … Continue reading Majrowski v Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust: HL 12 Jul 2006
The plaintiff sought damages from his employer after suffering injury when a co-worker fired a shot in the colliery, acting in breach of the regulations. Held: There was no vicarious liability duty in law on the managers to ensure compliance by their workers to the regulations. Lord MacDermott (obiter) said: ‘The fireman in doing his … Continue reading Harrison v National Coal Board: HL 1951
