Waste Injunction Against Persons Unknown
About the injunction
On 20 February 2026, following a High Court hearing on 13 February 2026, judgment was handed down confirming the grant of an injunction in favour of Birmingham City Council by Mr Justice Pepperall for a period of 3 months.
A copy of the judgment handed down on 20 February 2026 and the sealed Order is available in the "Order documents" section.
The injunction prohibits protesting activities by persons unknown who, in support of strikes organised by Unite the Union ("Unite") and without the council's consent:
- Enter, occupy or remain on, or block or obstruct the entering or exiting of any other individual or vehicle to and from the following locations:
- Atlas Depot, 70/72 Kings Road, Tyseley, Birmingham, B11 2AS
- Lifford Lane Depot, Ebury Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B3 3JJ
- Perry Barr Depot, Holford Drive, Birmingham B42 2TU
- Smithfield Depot, Sherlock Street, Birmingham, B5 6HX
And / or
- Block or obstruct any of the council's street management vehicles within the City of Birmingham.
Anyone breaching the injunction could be imprisoned for up to 2 years, fined, and/or have their assets seized for contempt of court. Therefore, anyone involved in or interested in the protests must take note of the terms of the injunction as set out in the "Order documents" section.
The injunction granted on 20 February 2026 does not seek to limit protesting activity that does not block or obstruct the provision of waste services in Birmingham, or to limit lawful picketing and protest activity carried out in accordance with the existing injunction granted by the High Court against Unite (dated 27 May 2025). This injunction was extended on 29 May 2025 and applied to Smithfield Depot on 25 June 2025.
The injunction will be in effect until trial or further order, but in any event for not more than an initial period of three months.
The council has now issued Particulars of Claim, which are available under the "Pleadings" section.
If you wish to defend the claim, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service by 23 February 2025, and any Defence or admission by 9 March 2026. The Response Pack is available under the "Pleadings" section.
A transcript of the hearing on 13 February 2026 and copies of the hearing documents are set out in the "Hearing documents" section. Documents relating to the council's original application are set out in the "Application documents" section.
Supporting information
Where possible, we have taken steps to make sure supporting documents comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), but some documents may not be fully accessible to users of assistive technology.
If you need help accessing a document, email MonitoringOfficer@Birmingham.gov.uk.
Application documents and evidence
View the injunction application, witness statements and exhibits.
View supporting video evidence on YouTube.
Hearing documents
View the court order and other hearing documents.
Order documents
View the court order and other documents.
Pleadings
View the pleadings submitted by the council.
Page last updated: 23 February 2026
