Herrington Carmichael secures High Court win for Hattons of London in employee competition dispute

July 8, 2026

Herrington Carmichael has successfully represented Hattons of London Ltd in High Court proceedings against a number of its former employees and associated parties, securing a strong judgment in Hattons of Londons’ favour.

The case was heard over five days in February 2026, with Judgment handed down on 19 June 2026 by Bruce Carr KC (sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge) in Hattons of London Ltd v The Knightsbridge Collection Ltd & others [2026].

Hattons of London is a boutique dealer specialising in rare and exclusive coins, with a loyal client base built through long-standing relationships managed by its account managers. The dispute arose in early 2025, when a group of Hattons of London’s account managers, whilst still employed by Hattons of Londons’ set up a competing business unlawfully using Hattons of Londons’ confidential information in that business.

By 1 May 2025, Hattons of London had received reports from its customers that another company, The Knightsbridge Collection Ltd, had contacted them directly with a view to selling coins and, in many cases, had awareness of purchases they had made from Hattons of London.

Investigations later confirmed that the individuals had accessed Hattons of Londons’ customer database and were actively working for the competing business. All of the individuals subsequently resigned and submitted a collective grievance on 30 April 2025 (which the Court later held to be contrived).

Herrington Carmichael was instructed in July 2025 to take urgent action. A team led by Partner Matthew Jenkin, supported by Senior Solicitor Samuel Gray, together with Daniel Northall KC of Littleton Chambers, successfully obtained an interim injunction. This prevented the Defendants from further misusing Hattons of Londons’ confidential information and from continuing to compete. Following the injunction, The Knightsbridge Collection Ltd entered voluntary liquidation and was wound up on 11 August 2025.

At trial, Hattons relied on compelling digital evidence obtained through the liquidators of The Knightsbridge Collection Ltd. This evidence showed that the Defendants were active participants in the Knightsbridge business and had accessed and used Hattons’ customer database. Of the 176 sales made by Knightsbridge before its liquidation, 172 involved former Hattons of Londons’ customers (the remaining were relatives of the Defendants).

However, in the face of the stark evidence they were faced with, all of the Defendants continued to deny any wrongdoing. Some suggested that they were only providing informal help to a friend or had attended the Knightsbridge Collection Ltd’s offices as a convenient meeting place to discuss the collective grievance. However, irrespective of the version of events the Defendant’s advanced at court, the Deputy Judge rejected the finding, each and every one implausible.

In his Judgment, Deputy High Court Judge Bruce Carr KC made clear findings against the Defendants, describing their conduct as “dishonest and reprehensible” and the evidence against the Defendants being “overwhelming.” The Court found that the Defendants had breached their confidentiality obligations, unlawfully conspired against Hattons of London, and were liable for breaches of the Copyright and Rights Databases Regulations 1997. The Judge further granted a further 18-month springboard relief preventing the Defendants’ from working in competition with Hattons of London until December 2027.

Matt Jenkin, Partner at Herrington Carmichael commented, “We were extremely pleased with the judgment which was overwhelmingly in Hattons of London’s favour. Through the combined hard work of our client, Daniel Northall KC and the team at Herrington Carmichael we were able to demonstrate and stop the unlawful actions of the defendants.”

The outcome reflects both the strength of Hatton of Londons’ case and the coordinated efforts of Herrington Carmichael and Daniel Northall KC in bringing the matter to a successful conclusion. It represents a clear and significant victory for Hattons of London, Herrington Carmichael and Daniel Northall KC.

Matt Jenkin
Partner, Employment
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