Tort

The claimants issued proceedings for the infringements of privacy rights founded on phone hacking, private investigators and publication of articles in the defendant’s newspapers. The present eight cases were brought as part of a managed litigation to ascertain damages and give some guidance as to the damages in other cases. The Chancery Division found the claimants were entitled to compensation for more than distress. Several awards for the hacking, the blagging of personal information by the private investigators and in respect of the published articles would be appropriate, while being conscious to avoid double counting. Further, awards of aggravated damages would be appropriate.