Lifestyle Equities C.V. and another (Appellants) v Ahmed and another (Respondents)

In Lifestyle Equities C.V. and another (Appellants) v Ahmed and another (Respondents), the Supreme Court considered whether directors of a company could be held liable as accessories for the company's trade mark infringements. The claimants, Lifestyle Equities, alleged that the defendants, including Mr and Ms Ahmed, who were directors of the companies Continental Shelf 128 Ltd and Hornby Street Ltd, infringed Lifestyle's trade marks by using similar logos and brand names. The lower courts found the Ahmeds liable as accessories for the companies' infringements. The Supreme Court held that directors could be held liable as accessories for a company's torts, including trade mark infringements, without needing to prove knowledge or intent. The court rejected the argument that directors should be exempt from such liability. The court also held that if directors were liable, they could only be ordered to account for profits they personally made from the infringements, not profits made by the company. Accordingly, the court dismissed Lifestyle's appeal and allowed the Ahmeds' appeal, setting aside the orders for an account of profits.