McKennitt -v- Ash: Privacy and Confidentiality Extended

First, some of the facts as set out in the judgement. The subject matter of the dispute was a book about the claimant, Ms McKennitt, a Canadian citizen, who composes and performs folk and folk-related music. She has apparently sold millions of recordings and toured the world playing live concerts based on her compositions and performance.

Ms Ash was at one time retained by Ms McKennitt to provide the services of a merchandise supervisor. There was some suggestion that, as part of that retainer, a confidentiality agreement had been signed. In any event, outside the business relationship, McKennitt and Ash had, for some years, been friends and frequently "socialised together".