Ashley Peters v Mary Joseph

Facts

The claimant, Mr Ashley Peters, is the son of the defendant, Ms Mary Joseph. The claim concerns the beneficial ownership of 1 Cicely Road, London SE15, which the parties shared as a home. On 24 June 2022 Ms Joseph gave undertakings to the court not to interfere with Mr Peters' occupation of the property and not to change its locks. After a trial before Recorder Eaton-Turner, she renewed those undertakings on 29 July 2024 pending an appeal, and Mr Peters' solicitors reminded her of them by email. On 4 October 2024 she nevertheless changed the locks and excluded him. Video evidence showed her being told that this was a breach and answering "I don't care" and "We are not safe". On 31 March 2026 Mr Justice Edwin Johnson allowed Mr Peters' appeal, and the case was to be re-tried. In a judgment of 24 April 2026, HHJ Evans-Gordon rejected Ms Joseph's defence of necessity and found her in contempt. On 14 July 2026 Mr Justice Edwin Johnson refused her oral application to be discharged from the undertakings and told her that she remained bound by them. Mr Peters was still excluded when the sentencing hearing opened. Ms Joseph agreed to readmit him only after the judge indicated that immediate imprisonment was likely. She handed over two of the three keys at court, and the third was to follow.