The position of Bristows
13.I will deal first with the actions of Bristows as the Defendants’ solicitors and I will say, immediately, that I am fully satisfied that no criticism attaches to their conduct in this matter. 14.On 12th April, having received the draft judgment but before forwarding a copy to his client, Mr Blum telephoned Mr Younas. In this call, he made it very clear that Mr Younas should not tell anyone about the outcome of the case without discussing it first with Mr Blum. This was because the draft judgment and the outcome of the case were confidential and on a “need to know” basis, otherwise there was a risk of contempt of court. 15.Later that same day, Mr Blum sent the draft judgment to Mr Younas. His covering email was as follows:“Hi Shaz,
- Nicholas Caddick Q.C. (sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge):
- The law
- The present case
- IN CONFIDENCE
- ], by 4pm on 19 April 2022 so that changes can be incorporated, if the judge accepts them, in the handed down judgment.
- April 2022.
- The position of Bristows
- No action is to be taken (other than internally) in response to the draft before judgment has been formally pronounced. A breach of any of these obligations may be treated as a contempt of court.
- The position of the Defendants
- PLEASE DO NOT TELL ANYONE YET OR DO ANYTHING WITH THIS JUDGMENT…
- Conclusion