Estoppel – Res judicata. Following the quashing of search warrants in respect of the claimants' property, the defendant Director of the Serious Frauds Office (the SFO) conceded liability for trespass to land. The SFO subsequently sought to rely on defences of justification and immunity. The judge held that the principle of res judicata did not operate to exclude any defence by the SFO to the claimants' private law claim in trespass. The claimants appealed. The Court of Appeal, Civil Division, in dismissing the appeal, held that the judge had been manifestly right to find that no estoppel had operated to prevent the SFO from raising the defences.