Geeks Ltd (Respondent/Claimant) v Watts (Appellant/Defendant)

Tuesday 09 June 2026 Before Lord Justice Bean, Vice President of the Court of Appeal Civil Division Lord Justice Males Lord Justice Jeremy Baker By appellant’s notice filed on 11 March 2025 the Appellant appeals an order of the County Court dated 25 February 2025, dismissing the appeal against the order of DDJ Hope dated 3 August 2023. The parties entered an employment contract on 18 March 2019, under which the claimant provided IT services through its staff, including developers and technicians. The contract included training fee clawback provisions requiring repayment for purported “training” costs. The defendant resigned on 12 November 2019. The claimant sought £8,108 under the clawback provisions. The defendant argued these provisions were an unenforceable restraint of trade. At trial on 3 August 2023, DDJ Hope held for the claimant. On appeal, the defendant argued the decision conflicted with House of Lords authority. HHJ Evans-Gordon dismissed the appeal.