Amy Winehouse's father ordered to pay £950,000 to friends over sale of late singer's clothing and accessories
A London High Court judge ordered Mitch Winehouse to pay nearly £1 million in damages to Naomi Parry and Catriona Gourlay after a failed lawsuit over the auction of his daughter's personal items.
The auction dispute
Mitch Winehouse had accused Naomi Parry, a former stylist to the star, and her friend Catriona Gourlay of selling about 150 items of clothing and accessories belonging to Amy Winehouse without his knowledge. The sales took place at auction in the United States between November 2021 and May 2023, fetching a total of $1.4 million. The items included handbags, shoes, a dress worn by Amy Winehouse during her final tour in June 2011, and pairs of earrings. Amy Winehouse died on 23 July 2011 at the age of 27 from alcohol poisoning, after a meteoric career that made her one of Britain's most recognisable voices.
The father alleged that the two women had acted without his consent and had profited improperly from his daughter's legacy.
Judge's decision
Judge Sarah Clarke ruled against Mitch Winehouse in April 2026 at the High Court in London, finding that neither Naomi Parry nor Catriona Gourlay had concealed the sales. The judge stated that Mitch Winehouse was aware of the auctions all along. She delivered her final costs order on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, criticising the litigation as a legally unfounded action pursued relentlessly and without restraint to the end.
They did not hide the sale, and Mitch Winehouse was aware of it.
He chose to bring a legally unfounded action, pursued relentlessly and without restraint to the end.
- Naomi Parry and Catriona Gourlay auction Amy Winehouse's clothing and accessories in the US, raising $1.4 million.
- High Court judge Sarah Clarke rules against Mitch Winehouse, finding the sales were not hidden and he was aware.
- Judge orders Mitch Winehouse to pay £569,000 to Naomi Parry and £394,000 to Catriona Gourlay within two weeks.
Financial penalty
The judge ordered Mitch Winehouse to pay 569,000 pounds to Naomi Parry and 394,000 pounds to Catriona Gourlay, totalling roughly 950,000 pounds (approximately 1.1 million euros). The sums must be paid within two weeks. The combined damages exceed the 1.4 million dollars the items fetched at auction, reflecting the harm the lawsuit caused to the women.
- Naomi Parry
- 569000 £
- Catriona Gourlay
- 394000 £
Impact on the defendants
Judge Clarke found that the serious and unfounded accusations brought against the two women had considerably damaged their reputations, their career prospects, their financial security and their health. The ruling marks the end of a legal fight that began when Mitch Winehouse filed the claim over the unauthorised sale of his daughter's belongings.
The serious and unfounded accusations have considerably damaged their reputations, their career prospects, their financial security and their health.
