Judge orders Amy Winehouse’s father to pay nearly £1m to her friends

A London high court judge has ordered Mitch Winehouse to pay nearly £950,000 in legal costs to two friends of his late daughter, Amy Winehouse. This order follows an unsuccessful lawsuit brought by Mr. Winehouse against former stylist Naomi Parry and friend Catriona Gourlay. The dispute centered on the sale of 155 items belonging to the singer, which included clothing, handbags, and accessories auctioned between 2021 and 2023.

Mitch Winehouse had claimed the two women acted dishonestly by auctioning the possessions, which he argued were part of the singer's estate. However, the court found that the items were either given or lent to the friends during Amy’s lifetime. The judge determined that the women acted in good faith and that Mr. Winehouse was aware of the planned auctions before they occurred.

In her ruling, Judge Sarah Clarke described the claim as inherently weak and noted that the legal action caused significant harm to the reputations and financial security of the two women. The judge specifically criticized Mr. Winehouse for pursuing the case aggressively despite knowing the friends had stood by the singer throughout her life. The court record highlights that Amy Winehouse was known for her generosity toward her inner circle, making the items rightfully theirs to dispose of as they saw fit.

The final judgment concludes a lengthy legal battle regarding the singer’s memorabilia. The costs awarded to the defendants cover their defense against the serious allegations brought forward during the trial. This decision marks a definitive end to the attempt to reclaim the items sold by Parry and Gourlay, affirming the court's view on the legitimacy of the friends' possession of the singer's property.