NIPC Law

Author  Satoshi Nakamoto P ublic Domain Source Wikimedia Commons Jane Lambert Chancery Division (Mr Justice Mellor) Crypto Open Patent Alliance v Wrigh t   [2025] EWHC 1139 (Ch) (12 May 2025) This was an application by Crypto Open Patent Alliance ("COPA") and SquaredUp Europe Ltd ("SquaredUp") for a General Civil Restraint Order ("GCRO") or, alternatively. an Extended Civil Restraint Order ("ECRO") against Dr Craig Steven Wright ("Dr Wright").  Para 4.2 (1(b) and (c)  of Practice Direction 3C - Civil Restraint Orders provides that a GCRO made by a High Court judge restrains the party against whom it is made from issuing any claim or making any application without first obtaining the permission of the judge identified in the order.   Para 3.2 (1) (b) and (c) of that practice direction provides that an ECRO made by a High Court judge restrains the party against whom it is made from issuing claims or making applications in the High Court...

CPR 3.11 provides: "A practice direction may set out – (a) the circumstances in which the court has the power to make a civil restraint order against a party to proceedings; (b) the procedure where a party applies for a civil restraint order against another party; and (c) the consequences of the court making a civil restraint order." Neither the rule nor the glossary defines "civil restraint orders" but para 1 of Practice Direction 3C - Civil Restraint Orders refers to limited civil restraint orders, extended civil restraint orders and general civil restraint orders. Those orders restrict the proceedings that can be issued, and the applications that can be made, by the person against whom they are issued without the permission of the court. Para 3.2 (1) of the Practice Direction provides: "Unless the court otherwise orders, where the court makes an extended civil restraint order, the party against whom the order is made – (1) w...