Bernicia Group v Matthew Leiper

Facts

The applicant, Bernicia Group, is a well known local social landlord. It brought committal proceedings against the respondent, Mr Matthew Leiper, for breach of an injunction concerning its land. The respondent did not attend the hearing of the committal application on 15 July 2026. District Judge Dodsworth decided to proceed in his absence, giving reasons in a written judgment of that date. The judge found that the respondent had not given up possession of the applicant's land by 8 April 2026 and had continued to leave vehicles on it until at least 15 July 2026. Sentencing was adjourned. On 29 July 2026 a process server instructed by the applicant personally served the respondent with the order of 15 July 2026, the written judgment and notice of the adjourned hearing. At the sentencing hearing the applicant was represented by counsel, Miss Najah, and the respondent was again neither present nor represented. He gave no reason for not attending. The court was shown recent photographs of vehicles still on the land, and counsel told the court, on instructions, that vehicles were still there on the day of the hearing. The respondent had not engaged with the applicant at any stage, either before or during the proceedings.