HXZ v NMX

Facts

The claimant, who is anonymised as HXZ, brought proceedings for damages and an injunction against the defendant, NMX, for misuse of private information and harassment. The defendant counterclaimed for damages, compensation, and injunctive and declaratory relief. In March 2025 Ritchie J granted an urgent ex parte interim injunction and an anonymity order, and at the return date on 3 April 2025 Aidan Eardley KC continued the injunction and ordered the defendant to take down certain social media posts. At a Case Management Conference in April 2026 the defendant suffered a serious psychiatric episode and was taken to hospital. That day she published posts that she accepts breached the anonymity order, the injunction and the return date order. On 27 May 2026 the claimant applied to commit her for contempt. On 17 June 2026 Steyn J, on the papers, listed a directions hearing for 6 October 2026, deliberately distant so that the defendant could obtain legal representation and medical evidence, and noted that legal aid was available. The defendant remained unrepresented, but a solicitor applied for legal aid on her behalf on or about 2 October 2026. At the directions hearing she applied to adjourn, which the claimant opposed. She also had a pending application to join Meta as a party to the counterclaim.