Financial Penalty Imposed on Protestor in Breach of Injunction

James represented KD in committal proceedings in the High Court for breach of an injunction.

The Craig-yr-Hesg quarry in Glyncoch produces blue pennant stone that has important uses in large infrastructure projects. In March 2024, local residents in what is one of the most deprived areas of Wales protested at the site of a quarry which had recently been given permission to expand. The local community had various concerns surrounding the loss of local amenity and the potential harm to the health of local residents.

The company operating the quarry applied for an injunction to prohibit unlawful protest. In May and June 2025 two protests took place in contravention of that injunction.

James was instructed to represent KD, a woman who attended the June 2025 protest. Ritchie J made findings that she had been properly served as a person unknown, and she admitted that she had breached the terms of the order. Following submissions, Ritchie J accepted an undertaking from KD and imposed a sanction of a £50 fine, notwithstanding his assessment that contempt of this type typically attracts a custodial penalty.

James was instructed by Dennis Clarke of Clarke Kiernan LLP.