Ocado brings case against lawyer over ‘burnt’ messages
OCADO has launched contempt proceedings against a senior lawyer who allegedly said to “burn” a private messaging app following claims of corporate espionage.
Ocado alleges Raymond Mckeeve “intentionally deleted documents” after hearing the online grocer was chasing co-founder Jonathan Faiman over claims he stole confidential documents.
Ocado launched its case in the High Court yesterday, saying it would not hesitate to take “any steps necessary” to protect its intellectual property.
Mr Faiman reached a settlement with Ocado last year after the company sued him over claims he used confidential documents to bid for deals with Marks & Spencer and Waitrose.
But Ocado is still chasing Mr Faiman’s lawyer. The company alleges he tried to undermine a search order issued against his client and his company, Today Development Partners.
Court documents allege Mr Faiman and Mr Mckeeve held a series of meetings with M&S in a bid to sign up the supermarket as a client. Ocado claims Mr Faiman said he had Ocado’s confidential information while in those meetings during 2018.
Mr Faiman was issued with a search order by Ocado a year after holding talks with M&S and he quickly informed Mr Mckeeve about the court action.
Mr Mckeeve then ordered Today’s IT manager to “burn” the company’s internal messaging system.
In court documents, Ocado said: “Mr Mckeeve’s actions, as a solicitor and officer of the court, are unprecedented.
“There is no reported case of a solicitor who, in response to a search order, has intentionally deleted documents so as to prevent them from being handed over.
“Such action strikes at the very heart of the administration of justice and the rule of law, and is directly contrary to the primary duty of every solicitor to act honestly and with integrity in the proper administration of justice.”
Mr Mckeeve’s barrister Robert Weekes QC said his client accepted he had made a “serious error of judgment” but that his actions did not constitute contempt of court.
The case continues.