Outcome at a glance
Morrisons won its appeal. It was not vicariously liable for an employee’s wrongful disclosure of payroll data in the circumstances of this case.
Allegations & issues
Affected employees sought to hold Morrisons liable for breaches involving their personal information after another employee disclosed payroll data.
Key rulings & findings
The disclosure was insufficiently connected with the employee’s authorised work. He was pursuing a personal vendetta; employment giving him the opportunity did not itself establish employer liability.
Admissions
The outcome rests on a court determination, not a settlement admission.
Disposition
Morrisons’ appeal unanimously allowed on 1 April 2020.
Penalties, damages & redress
No damages liability was imposed on Morrisons by this appeal.
Restrictions & obligations
The appeal concerned civil employer liability, not a trading restriction.
THE UNDERLYING RECORD
Primary sources
Read the full documents for their precise wording and context. Regulator summaries are identified separately from court records.
Court record · supremecourt.uk01 · Supreme Court · Case record and judgment ↗Court record · supremecourt.uk02 · Supreme Court · Press summary, 1 April 2020 ↗