UK · EWHCCourt order
High Court judge admonishes litigant for breaching judgment embargo and tells lawyers to explain the rules more fully
HHJ Paul Matthews, sitting in Bristol as a High Court judge, admonished Car-Wizard Ltd boss Oliver Birrell for telling his accountant that the company had won its claim the day before judgment was handed down. The judge said lawyers must explain embargoes to clients even more clearly and fully, and should not share draft judgments with clients who do not think they can comply.
Key points
- Birrell said he told his accountant because he needed advice for submissions on the assessment of damages.Legal Futures
- His solicitor, Richard Darbinian of Bristol firm Wards, had repeatedly warned him not to share the draft and reported the breach through counsel.Legal Futures
- The judge found the breach caused no actual damage but called it still a serious matter.Legal Futures
- He considered contempt proceedings but decided an admonishment was enough, warning that another court may not be so merciful.Legal Futures