Court of Appeal dismisses unlawful harassment appeal

The appellant company appealed against a decision refusing to strike out a claim brought against it by the respondent for damages for unlawful harassment. The respondent used to be a customer of the company’s, but when she switched to another company, the appellant company sent her several bills which she claimed were unjustified. She received letters threatening to cut off her gas supply, to start legal proceedings against her, and to report her to credit rating agencies. The respondent claimed that the company’s course of conduct amounted to unlawful harassment contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.