Cases

Interbrew SA v Financial Times Ltd & Others

Facts

The Claimant's advisers had carried out an assessment of a possible takeover bid by the Claimant of South African Breweries (SAB). Copies of the advisers' presentation to the Claimant, including details of the takeover timetable and bid price, which the Claimant claimed were fabricated, were sent anonymously to the Defendants. Details of the document were published, with significant impact on the share prices of the Claimant and SAB. The Claimant applied for a Norwich Pharmacal order requiring the Defendants to deliver up their copies of the document in order to assist it to track down the source. The Defendants refused, since they wished to protect the identity of their source, and relied on s10, Contempt of Court Act 1981. Lightman J made the order sought, and the Defendants appealed.

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