Paul Williamson and Wayne Sidell, from Atlantic Corporate Relocation (ACRL) in Walton on Thames have successfully challenged an injunction from Cartus that would have precluded them from publishing alleged defamatory statements about the organisation. The action has, however, been stayed for two years.

The hearing was held on 16 July at the High Court of Justice in London: Mr. Justice Nicol presiding.

The case related to the Acadia bidding system that Cartus used to allow companies to make competing bids for services.   ACRL was a provider to Cartus, from 2001 to 2012 via Acadia. Following the company’s suspension in 2012 for alleged accounting discrepancies Williamson and Sidell claimed that the bidding system was flawed and offered assistance to rectify the system, but this was refused. Frustrated, they produced a document ‘The Ugly Truth’ to highlight the alleged flaws.  Cartus took out the injunction in March this year to prevent the document and its covering letter from being published.

However at the 16 July hearing Judge Nicol said that he was not satisfied that Williamson and Sidell had intended to publish ‘The Ugly Truth’ and, therefore, Cartus was not entitled to an injunction.  The case was, however, stayed for two years and, if no application is made during that time, the case should be “consigned to history”.

As a result of the case Paul Williamson and Wayne Sidell say that they have developed an in-depth knowledge and expertise regarding the Acadia bidding system and will be making themselves available to all corporations that have contacted them seeking advice regarding Acadia.  They also intend to assist many relocation and third-party companies that have made contact with them directly.

ACRL was put into voluntary liquidation in January 2014.

Court Judgement here: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2014/2492.html