Committal for Contempt of Court in open court in London: Ocado Group PLC and Ocado Central Services Limited -v- McKeeve
Business and Property CourtsBusiness ListHigh CourtCommittal for Contempt of Court
Neutral Citation Number: [2022] EWHC 2478 (Ch)
Case No: BL-2019-001768
In the High Court of Justice
Business and Property Courts of England and Wales
Business List (ChD)
5 October 2022
Before:
Mr Justice Adam Johnson
Between:
Ocado Group PLC and Ocado Central Services Limited
-v-
McKeeve
Note Pursuant to Practice Direction (Committal for Contempt of Court: Open Court) [2015] 1 WLR 2195
In relation to Claim No. BL-2019-001768 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London Mr Justice Adam Johnson has handed down Judgment dealing with the issues of sanction and costs, following his finding of contempt against Mr McKeeve is his earlier Judgment of 3 August 2022.
In light of that finding, and having heard submissions as to sanction, the Court has imposed punishment in the form of a fine on Mr McKeeve for his contempt of Court. That contempt consisted of Mr McKeeve intentionally interfering with the due administration of justice. It involved Mr McKeeve having frustrated one of the purposes of a Search Order made by the Court dated 3 July 2019 through his act in causing the destruction of a data source known as the 3CX App or 3CX System, including the materials contained therein. The Court has imposed a fine in the amount of £25,000.
The Court has also made costs orders against Mr McKeeve, requiring him to pay 60% of the Claimants’ costs down to trial, and the whole of the Claimants’ costs of the hearing to deal with consequential matters, such costs to be assessed (if not agreed) on the indemnity basis.