KB-2022-003316 - [2025] EWHC 1716 (KB)

to remove all redactions based on irrelevance and provide to the Claimants copies of the unredacted documents (“the Unredaction Application”);

to conduct a reasonable search of its electronic disclosure platform for the names “Gavin Rhodes” and “G Rhodes”, which were names used by Gavin Burrows (“the Burrows Application”);

to disclose to the Claimants records of all telephone calls (and, where available, text messages or other such communications) made or received from Associated’s telephony systems (including journalists’ work mobile phones) that connect to any of the telephone numbers or devices used by the TPIs, including landline telephone numbers and mobile telephone accounts from 2011 to 2018, save where disclosure has already been given (“the Phone Data Application”);

(i) to provide to the Claimants with a written explanation identifying the proceedings in which Katie Nicholl (one of the Pleaded Journalists) made a witness statement dated 13 June 2014 regarding the origins of a Mail on Sunday article and the exhibit to Ms Nicholl’s witness statement; and (ii) to conduct a reasonable search of call data and financial records relating to Lee Harpin and provide copies of those that meet the test for standard disclosure for the period 1998 to 2018 (“the Katie Nicholl/Lee Harpin Applications”);

to conduct a reasonable search for documents using various search terms related to Commercial & Legal Services and the name “Scott” (“the C&LS Application”);

to provide an Amended List of Documents which states, for each of the specified documents, (i) in relation to physical items: the archive facility, box-reference, file title, bundle code, or other reference; (ii) in relation to electronic items: the custodian, mailbox or shared drive, folder path, original filename, or other reference; and (iii) the name of the system or repository from which the document was collected or otherwise obtained (“the Disclosure Information Application”);

to provide one or more witness statements from an appropriate officer of Associated, addressing in detail Associated’s systems and practices for storage, retention, and destruction of documents relevant to these claims (specific information is identified) (“the Data Storage Information Application”);

to undertake further reasonable searches of the email accounts and other electronic document files and hardcopy files insofar as available of specified custodians for the period 1998 to 2018; 2011 to 2012 and 1 January 2011 to 7 August 2011, and provide copies of documents identified (“Further Custodians Search Application”); and

to undertake reasonable searches for records of all payments and/or ledger cards to specified individuals and companies and/or their aliases from 1993 to 2018, and disclose to the Claimants those records and/or ledger cards that meet the test for disclosure on a train of inquiry basis (“the Train of Inquiry Application”).

for third-party disclosure against the Metropolitan Police and the Information Commissioner (“the Third-Party Disclosure Applications”);

for various specific disclosure orders against each Claimants (the terms of the order sought by Associated against the Claimants is set out in Annex 1 to this judgment) (“Associated’s Specific Disclosure Application”); and

for permission to amend the Defences in relation to the Ward burglary allegation (“the Amendment Application”).