Breach Of Privacy Flashcards
Origins of the concept
Not novel
Institutional writers
Initially, contracts only in order to underpin obligation of confidentiality
Right to be let alone (Howard & Branden)
Which professionals are bound by confidentiality?
Doctor and patient, priest and penitent, solicitor and client, banker and customer (AG v Guardian Newspapers)
Will a preexisting relationship always mean that info is confidential?
Existence of mt&c is not of itself conclusive in establishing that info is confidential e.g. Husband telling his wife who won the football
Confidentiality owed by lawyers
Communications between client and agent are confidential (Munro v Fraser)
But sol can be excused for disclosing when fraud / some other illegal act (Conoco Ltd v The Commercial Law Practice)
Duty on medical professionals
Only if compelling reason to tell
No contractual basis because of NHS setup. Anonymisation - not breached if individuals can’t be identified from it.
Duty on bankers
Not to disclose to third party unless implied / express consent, public duty to disclose (Tournier)
Is disclosure ever necessary in the interests of public safety?
Protected 3rd party from death or serious injury. In some cases where grave risk to others, doesn’t matter that patient withheld consent
Tarasoff - positive duty to warn if imminent danger!
Why add non-contractual?
Historically, required betrayal of some relationship which pre-existed.
But - Artificiality of distinction between info obtained through betrayal of a confidential relationship and the underhand means used by another
Potentially even higher presumption of privacy because info not freely given.
What kind of non-contractual breaches?
Letters to lover (Cadell v Davies & Stewart)
Disclosure of medical treatment (Campbell v MGN)
Disclosure of sexual relations (Mosely v MGN)
What are the constituents for an action for breach of confidence?
Did info have necessary quality of confidence?
Was it imparted in circumstances importing an obligation of confidence?
Was that an unauthorised use of that info to the detriment of the party communicating it?
(Coco v An Clark)
When is an intrusion into privacy justified?
Info not protected if
1) entered public domain
2) trivial
3) Public interest in disclosure overrode public interest that confidences should be protected
(AG v Guardian)
Why have we shifted from Confidentiality to Privacy?
Court must now consider art 8 where individual’s home and family considered.
Individual - individual but also against businesses and public authorities
Can information ever be private but not confidential?
If already in public domain ie refers to conduct in a public place (Murray c Express newspapers)
How does the English position differ?
1) traditionally both countries req’d prior relationship. Now seems silly not to include where info taken by surreptitious means
2) 3rd parties - AG V Guardian - if you have knowledge, then applies you also. Scotland - no clear recognition. But difficult to see where 3rd parties might escape liability but would not in England
Media already in the public domain
Can exclude claim
If needs painstaking amount of research to access, not in public domain.
Private domain might be well populated (Douglas v Hello)
Even unsavoury incident on airplane (Tom Jones)
What about useless or trivial info?
Again precludes chances.
Confidences in commercial context not allowed if just tittle tattle. (Coco v AN Clark)
What about public interest in disclosure?
Legitimate interest in its disclosure of concerns proper admin of criminal and civil justice etc
High - national security concerns, working of gov etc
Medium - business impropriety
Low - intimate relationships, health matters, bereavement etc
Why are spatial and functional zones of interaction important?
Revelations of home life regarded as intrusive
Situation of embarrassment / humiliation (Campbell v MGN) (X v BBC)
Even well known figures entitled to privacy for activities that have no bearing on their public functions (von Hannover v Germany)
What effect does prior relationship with the media have?
Relevant consideration where pursuer is already well known figure.
MP’s wife had no relationship (Archer v Williams)
Considerations when balancing art 8 and 10
No need for contractual relationship
Widened scope
- neither article has precedence over the other
- intense focus in comparative importance of rights is important
- justifications in interference
What is the overall situation for privacy protection?
Good, but need better protection for other elements!
Pringles v Bremner
Action for damages relevant where pursuer alleged wrongful entry into his house by police officers and a search of his effects without valid warrant
Martin v McGuiness
Pursuer alleged that evidence inadmissible and that damages should be awarded to compensate him for his distress. Watched his home and interviewed his wife. No, there was public interest in safety under art 8(2)
Wainwright v Home Office
No tort of invasion of privacy. W and her son strip searched before visiting her other son. Appealed against decision that they had suffered a form of trespass to the person. While privacy was a value underlying c/law breach of confidence, it did not apply to the case of personal privacy.
