Application for extension of two days to service of particulars of claim. The defendants resisted saying that the court should apply sanctions against the claimant. The claimants applied for relief under rule 3.9. Held: The new rules were against a background where it was recognised that courts had been too ready to grant relief. The … Continue reading Raayan Al Iraq Co Ltd and Others v Trans Victory Marine Inc and Others: ComC 23 Aug 2013
The defendant had failed to comply in all respects with an ‘unless’ order. Held: The court gave relief under CPR 3.9 for two failures which the court described as ‘material in the sense that they were more than trivial’. They were ‘unintentional and minor failings in the course of diligently seeking to comply with the … Continue reading Wyche v Careforce Group Plc: ComC 25 Jul 2013
The defamation claimant sought relief from sanctions imposed after a failure to comply with orders requiring him to discuss budgets and budgetary assumptions. Held: The claimant had failed to deliver the required costs budget in time, and any costs in the action beyond the court fees would be disallowed. Master McLoud [2013] EWHC 2355 (QB) … Continue reading Mitchell v News Group Newspapers Ltd: QBD 1 Aug 2013
ECHR Article 10-1 Freedom of expression Award of damages against applicant who denied making the defamatory statements for which he was found liable: Article 10 applicable; violation Facts – In 2003 a municipal court found the applicant jointly and severally liable with the publisher in a civil action in damages brought by a government minister … Continue reading Stojanovic v Croatia: ECHR 19 Sep 2013
ECHR Article 8 Positive obligations Courts’ refusal to order newspaper to remove article damaging applicant’s reputation from its Internet archive: no violation Facts – The applicants are lawyers who won a libel case against two journalists working for the daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita following the publication of an article alleging that they had made a fortune … Continue reading Wegrzynowski And Smolczewski v Poland (Legal Summary): ECHR 16 Jul 2013
The parties had settled a defamation claim in the Isle of Man and sums were paid to the settle te action and costs. Before they were released, the Coroner in the Isle of Man issued Notices of Arrest to the solicitors holding the funds. The court was now asked whether the sums were held for … Continue reading Irving and Another v Darbyshire and Others: Admn 29 Jul 2013
The company sought relief after the defendant a former senior employee had left but then written to customers alleging fraud by the claimant. Held: ‘ this is as clear a case as there could possibly be that the Defendant’s denial that she published the two letters was, in the case of each, untrue and that … Continue reading Jon Richard Ltd v Gornall: QBD 16 May 2013
The court considered the duty of confidentiality owed by a banker to his client. Bankes LJ said: ‘At the present day I think it may be asserted with confidence that the duty is a legal one arising out of contract, and that the duty is not absolute but qualified. It is not possible to frame … Continue reading Tournier v National Provincial and Union Bank of England: CA 1924
ECJ On a proper construction, Article 57 of the Brussels Convention on jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments as amended means that, where a Contracting State is also a contracting party to another convention on a specific matter containing rules on jurisdiction, that specialized convention precludes the application of the provisions of the Brussels Convention … Continue reading The owners of the cargo lately laden on board the ship ‘Tatry’ v The owners of the ship ‘Maciej Rataj’: ECJ 6 Dec 1994
Claims for Collateral Purpose treated as abuse The plaintiff commenced proceedings for damages for libel and an injunction against the publishers, the editors and the main distributors of Private Eye. In addition, he issued writs against a large number of other wholesale and retail distributors of the paper for the same relief. Some of the … Continue reading Goldsmith v Sperrings Ltd: CA 1977
The defendant published an article accusing the plaintiff of theft. Not having funds to launch a claim in libel, the plaintiff obtained legal aid to claim in malicious falsehood. She now appealed against a strike out of that claim. Held: A claim in malicious falsehood was a possible and proper alternative to a libel claim. … Continue reading Joyce v Sengupta and Another: CA 31 Jul 1992
The plaintiff church sued the defendant, a Member of Parliament, for remarks made by the defendant in a television programme. He pleaded fair comment and the plaintiff replied with a plea of malice, relying on statements made in Parliament. The question arose at trial whether such reliance infringed Article 9. Held: It did. The plaintiff … Continue reading Church of Scientology of California v Johnson-Smith: QBD 1971
Mitsui sought disclosure of documents from a third party under the rules in Norwich Pharmacal. Held: Such relief was available ‘where the claimant requires the disclosure of crucial information in order to be able to bring its claim or where the claimant requires the missing piece of the jigsaw.’ and ‘The jurisdiction is only to … Continue reading Mitsui and Co Ltd v Nexen Petroleum UK Ltd: ChD 29 Apr 2005
A local authority applied for a reporting restriction order. The Italian mother when pregnant suffered mental illness. She ceased treatment to protect her unborn child and became psychotic and delusional and was detained in a mental hospital. She had had two previous births by caesarian section, and the doctors view was that a natural birth … Continue reading In re P (A Child): FD 17 Dec 2013
Although the courts possessed a jurisdiction, ‘in all but exceptional cases’, they should not issue an interlocutory injunction to restrain the publication of a libel which the defence sought to justify except where it was clear that that defence would fail. Where the defendant contends that the words complained of are true and swears that … Continue reading Bonnard v Perryman: CA 2 Jan 1891
Conditions for new evidence on appeal At the trial, the wife of the appellant’s opponent said she had forgotten certain events. After the trial she began divorce proceedings, and informed the appellant that she now remembered. He sought either to appeal admitting fresh evidence, or for a retrial. Held: The Court of Appeal refused to … Continue reading Ladd v Marshall: CA 29 Nov 1954
A negligent misrepresentation was made in a telex sent from the United States but received and acted upon in England. The judge had set aside leave to serve the document out of the jurisdiction. Held: The appeal succeeded. The transmission was a tort committed within the jurisdiction within the meaning of Order 11 rule 1(1)(h).Robert … Continue reading Cordoba Shipping Co Ltd v National State Bank, Elizabeth, New Jersey (The Albaforth): CA 1984
Applications were launched with in defamation proceedings to seek to recover damages for parties who had not previously been part of the proceedings. Held: The amendments were refused. The new claimants were now out of time, and it was clear that they had taken steps before the limitation period had expired, but chose to pursue … Continue reading Adelson and Another v Associated Newspapers Ltd: QBD 19 Dec 2007
A claim for libel was brought by an Irish priest, who was said to be an informer against disloyal and criminal classes. Held: The action was dismissed. The argument on behalf of the priest was noted to be that amongst certain classes who were either themselves criminal, or who sympathised with crime, it would expose … Continue reading Mawe v Pigott: 1869
Defamation/privacy claims against doctors failed The claimant, seeking damages for alleged defamation, now asked for the case to be anonymised. Held: The conditions for anonymisation were not met. The anonymity would be retained temporarily until any time for appeal had passed. As to the defamation allegation (contained in an email: ‘in order to satisfy the … Continue reading ZC v Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust: QBD 26 Jul 2019
The plaintiff complained of an article written in the Daily Mail which included the reporting of a report of a Parliamentary select committee. The reporting of the select committee’s report was privileged under the Parliamentary Papers Act 1840. At trial the judge held that the part of the article which reported on the proceedings in … Continue reading Dingle v Associated Newspapers: HL 1964
The claimants in a defamation case made an interlocutory appeal against an order for trial by judge alone. The parties had agreed for trial by jury, but the defendants made a late application for trial by judge alone. Held: The claimant’s appeal failed. The right to a trial by jury is a constitutional right subject … Continue reading Fiddes v Channel Four Television Corporation and Others: CA 29 Jun 2010
Rejection of Submission of No Case to Answer The defendant had faced a charge of affray. The court having rejected his submission of having no case to answer, he had made an exculpatory statement from the dock. He appealed against his conviction. Held: Lord Lane LCJ said: ‘How then should the judge approach a submission … Continue reading Regina v Galbraith: CCA 1981
Allowance of Stigma Damages The employees claimed damages, saying that the way in which their employer had behaved during their employment had led to continuing losses, ‘stigma damages’ after the termination. Held: It is an implied term of any contract of employment that the employer shall not without reasonable and proper cause conduct itself in … Continue reading Malik v Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI); Mahmud v Bank of Credit and Commerce International: HL 12 Jun 1997
Failure to plead decisive malice allegation Appeal by the claimant against an order following a judgment striking out particulars of malice pleaded in the amended reply, among other determinations. Judgment was then entered in favour of the Campaign Against Antisemitsm in respect of a claim for libel. The limited issue on the appeal for which … Continue reading Greenstein v Campaign Against Antisemitism: CA 9 Jul 2021
The defendant had requested the Isle of Man authorities to investigate the part if any taken by the plaintiff in a major fraud. No charges were brought against the plaintiff, but the documents showing suspicion came to be disclosed in the later trial of others. The plaintiff sought damages in defamation. Held: The documents which … Continue reading Taylor and Others v Director of The Serious Fraud Office and Others: HL 29 Oct 1998
The plaintiffs as representatives sought to restrain Amstrad selling equipment with two cassette decks without taking precautions which would reasonably ensure that their copyrights would not be infringed by its users. Held: Amstrad could only be liable as a joint tortfeasor. If they were not a joint tortfeasor they would be under no tortious liability. … Continue reading CBS Songs Ltd v Amstrad Consumer Electronics Plc: HL 12 May 1988
Defamation of Labour MP by Unite and Blogger The claimant now a former MP had alleged that a posting on a website supported by the first defendant was false and defamatory. The posting suggested that the claimant had acted dishonestly in applying online for a category of membership of the union. The defendants pursued defences … Continue reading Turley v Unite The Union and Another: QBD 19 Dec 2019
Immunity from disclosure of their identity should be given to those who gave information about neglect or ill treatment of children to a local authority or the NSPCC similar to that which the law allowed to police informers. Lord Simon of Glaisdale said: ‘I cannot leave this particular class of relevant evidence withheld from the … Continue reading D v National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children: HL 2 Feb 1977
The claimant, an MP, complained in defamation of the defendant’s description of his rejected expenses claim regarding an assistant’s charitable donation. The paper pleaded a Reynolds defence. The claimant said that when published the defendant knew that the article was untrue. The defendant sought summary judgment. Held: It was not possible to say there was … Continue reading Cook v Telegraph Media Group Ltd: QBD 29 Mar 2011
The appellants were mothers of two servicemen who had died whilst on active service in Iraq. They appealed refusal to grant a public inquiry. There had already been coroners inquests. They said that Article 2 had been infringed. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The right to an inquiry was procedural and depended first on the … Continue reading Gentle, Regina (on the Application of) and Another v The Prime Minister and Another: HL 9 Apr 2008
A notice had been displayed on a golf club notice board. The court considered whether this constituted publication for defamation purposes. Held: Greene LJ said: ‘Now on the substantial question of publication, publication, of course, is a question of fact, and it must depend on the circumstances in each case whether or not publication has … Continue reading Byrne v Deane: CA 1937
Adverse Comments by Judge Need not be Show of Bias In five cases, leave to appeal was sought on the basis that a party had been refused disqualification of judges on grounds of bias. The court considered the circumstances under which a fear of bias in a court may prove to be well founded: ‘The … Continue reading Locabail (UK) Ltd, Regina v Bayfield Properties Ltd: CA 17 Nov 1999
The claimant complained that the defendant had published on its internet forums comments by posters which were defamatory of it, and which were then made available by the second defendant search engine. The court was asked what responsibility a search engine might have for a defamation pointed to by its results pages. Held: As to … Continue reading Metropolitan International Schools Ltd. (T/A Skillstrain And/Or Train2Game) v Designtechnica Corp (T/A Digital Trends) and Others: QBD 16 Jul 2009
The court considered an alleged tort of maliciously procuring an arrest. The plaintiff had been arrested under a bench warrant issued as a result of evidence given by the defendant. He sued the defendant for damages for malicious arrest. Held: The action could proceed. Police officers are given a general immunity against suit, in respect … Continue reading Roy v Prior: HL 1970
The seller had obtained a summary order for specific performance of a contract for the sale of land against the buyer. Held: The breach was continuing and was still capable of being remedied by compliance with the order for specific performance. The seller was entitled, after the buyer had failed to comply with the order, … Continue reading Johnson v Agnew: HL 1979
Court of Appeal must follow Own Decisions The claimant was injured and received compensation. He then sought to recover again, alleging breach of statutory duty by his employers. Held: The Court of Appeal was in general bound to follow its own previous decisions. The court considered the circumstances in which it could depart from a … Continue reading Young v The Bristol Aeroplane Co Ltd: CA 28 Jul 1944
No Breach of Solicitor Client Confidence Allowed B was charged with the murder of a young girl. He made a confession to the police, but later changed his story, saying his stepfather had killed the girl. He was acquitted. The stepfather was then charged with the murder. At his committal for trial, B was called … Continue reading Regina v Derby Magistrates Court Ex Parte B: HL 19 Oct 1995
The claimant and appellant had been employer and employee who had fallen out, with a settlement in 2005. The appellant then began an unpleasant and obsessive personal vendetta against Mr Hayes, complaining to public bodies with allegations of tax evasion, fraud and similar. Several investigations all concluded against the appellant, and indeed disproved in 2007. … Continue reading Hayes v Willoughby: SC 20 Mar 2013
Innocent third Party May still have duty to assist The plaintiffs sought discovery from the defendants of documents received by them innocently in the exercise of their statutory functions. They sought to identify people who had been importing drugs unlawfully manufactured in breach of their patents. Held: Disclosure should be ordered. If someone, even innocently … Continue reading Norwich Pharmacal Co and others v Customs and Excise Commissioners: HL 26 Jun 1973
The claimants, organisers of the Indian Premier cricket League, met with organisations in England seeking to establish a similar league in the Northern Hemisphere. A copy of a note came to the defendant, chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board, who in turn wrote to the President of the Indian Board in terms said … Continue reading Modi and Another v Clarke: CA 29 Jul 2011
The plaintiff complained of an alleged slander spoken at a meeting of the Town Council. The council meeting was an occasion attracting qualified privilege. The judge at trial found that the councillor honestly believed that what he had said in the meeting was true but he had become so anxious to have the other councillor … Continue reading Horrocks v Lowe: HL 1974
No defamation for deceased grandfather ECHR Article 8-1 Respect for private life Dismissal of claim for defamation of applicant’s grandfather, the former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin: inadmissible Facts – The applicant is the grandson of the former Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin. In 2009 he sued the Novaya Gazeta newspaper for defamation after it published an … Continue reading Dzhugashvili v Russia (Dec) (Joseph Stalin): ECHR 9 Dec 2014
(Practice Note) The claimant brought defamation proceedings against the defendant newspaper. His solicitors had failed to file his costs budget as required, and the claimant now appealed against an order under the new Rule 3.9, restricting very substantially the costs which might be made in his favour. Held: The appeal was refused. It was inherent … Continue reading Mitchell MP v News Group Newspapers Ltd: CA 27 Nov 2013
The respondent hosted a blogs platform. One of its user’s blogs was said by the appellant to have been defamatory. On discovery the material had been removed quickly. The claimant now appealed against his claim being struck out. He argued as to: (1) whether there is an arguable case that Google Inc was a publisher … Continue reading Tamiz v Google Inc: CA 14 Feb 2013
Evidence allowed – Care Application after Abuse Children had made allegations of serious sexual abuse against their step-father. He was acquitted at trial, but the local authority went ahead with care proceedings. The parents appealed against a finding that a likely risk to the children had still been been found. Held: A care order could … Continue reading In re H and R (Minors) (Child Sexual Abuse: Standard of Proof): HL 14 Dec 1995
The claimant alleged defamation in a tweet by the defendant. The court now decided as a preliminary point, the meaning of the words: ‘Why is Lord McAlpine trending? *Innocent face*’. There had been other but widespread (mistaken) allegations against a senior Conservative of child sexual abuse. Held: The text contained an innuendo that the claimant … Continue reading McAlpine v Bercow: QBD 24 May 2013
The courts adopt an approach similar to that of the United States courts where there has been a significant contempt on the part of a party to litigation. Denning LJ said: ‘Those cases seem to me to point the way to the modern rule. It is a strong . .
The defendant newspaper published an article describing the attendance at a motor race at Dieppe. It described the antics, intending to refer to a fictitious person, of one Artemus Jones, and said of him that he was ‘with a woman who is not his . .
Appeal by the Authority against a decision by the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber) deciding, as a preliminary issue determined in accordance with Rule 5(3)(e) of the Tribunal Procedure (Upper Tribunal) Rules 2008, that the respondent to . .
The two prisoners, serving life sentences for murder, had had their appeals rejected. They continued to protest innocence, and sought to bring their campaigns to public attention through the press, having oral interviews with journalists without . .
The defendant had requested the Isle of Man authorities to investigate the part if any taken by the plaintiff in a major fraud. No charges were brought against the plaintiff, but the documents showing suspicion came to be disclosed in the later . .
A trustee has a duty to exploit any available opportunity for the trust. ‘Rules of equity have to be applied to such a great diversity of circumstances that they can be stated only in the most general terms and applied with particular attention to . .
References: (1940) 64 CLR 130, [1940] HCA 41 Links: Austlii Coram: Rich ACJ, Starke, McTiernan and Williams JJ Ratio: High Court of Australia – The claim sought to sidestep the rule giving immuity to witnesses before a court by alleging a conspiracy to give false evidence. Held: Starke J said: ‘But it does not matter … Continue reading Cabassi v Vila; 12 Dec 1940
References: 61 A Crim R 431, (1992) 66 ALJR 585, 107 ALR 635, (1992) 174 CLR 509, [1992] HCA 34 Links: Austlii Coram: Mason CJ, Brennan, Deane, Dawson, Toohey, Gaudron and McHugh JJ (High Court of Australia) Criminal Law – Abuse of process – Stay of proceedings – Action for wrongful dismissal against university – … Continue reading Williams v Spautz; 27 Jul 1992
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Action for misuse of private information and libel. Application to have set aside leave to serve out of the jurisdiction. The defendant published a newspaper in Serbian, in print in Serbia and online. Though in Serbian, the claimant said that online translations to English could be created automatically. The parties disputed the number of hits … Continue reading Ahuja v Politika Novine I Magazini Doo and Others: QBD 23 Nov 2015
There was a heated dispute between neighbours, culminating in some generous or perhaps over-generous pruning by the claimant of the defendant’s trees and shrubs on the boundaries. The defendants reported the matter to the police. Both Mr and Mrs Dalziel made oral complaints to the officer who attended upon them. He later returned and Mr … Continue reading Buckley v Dalziel: QBD 3 May 2007
Application to strike out defence claim of justification and for abuse. Judges: The Honourable Mrs Justice Collins Rice Citations: [2021] EWHC 79 (QB) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – Sivier v Riley CA 14-May-2021 Whether the defendant could rely on the defences of truth, honest opinion, and publication on matter … Continue reading Riley v Sivier: QBD 20 Jan 2021
The claimant sought damages for libel in an internal email written by her manager, accusing her of being a compulsive liar. The email had not been disclosed save in Employment Tribunal proceedings, and the claimant sought permission to use the email and to extend the limitation period saying it had been withheld. Held: There had … Continue reading McBride v The Body Shop International Plc: QBD 10 Jul 2007
The claimant, a famous writer, complained on behalf of her infant son that he had been photographed in a public street with her, and that the photograph had later been published in a national newspaper. She appealed an order striking out her claim on the basis that the child did not have a right of … Continue reading Murray v Big Pictures (UK) Ltd; Murray v Express Newspapers: CA 7 May 2008
The court was asked as to when it is appropriate to order costs on an indemnity basis. Waller LJ said: ‘The question will always be: is there something in the conduct of the action or the circumstances of the case which takes the case out of the norm in a way which justifies an order … Continue reading Excelsior Commercial and Industrial Holdings Ltd v Salisbury Hammer Aspden and Johnson (A Firm): CA 12 Jun 2002
The court discussed an appeal against a case management decision. Held: Lewison LJ said: ‘It has been said more than once in this court, it is vital for the Court of Appeal to uphold robust fair case management decisions made by first instance judges.’ Judges: Lewison, Mummery, Jackson LJJ Citations: [2012] EWCA Civ 1667 Links: … Continue reading Mannion v Ginty: CA 28 Nov 2012
The claimant had produced the Star War films which made use of props, in particular a ‘Stormtrooper’ helmet designed by the defendant. The defendant had then himself distributed models of the designs he had created. The appellant obtained judgment against the respondent in the US for punitive damages, but these had not been collected, and … Continue reading Lucasfilm Ltd and Others v Ainsworth and Another: SC 27 Jul 2011
The defendant sought to have struck out the claim for defamation based on the defendant’s ‘Homes from Hell’ TV programme. Held: The pleaded meanings failed, and an application to amend the particulars was refused. The action was struck out.In the course of the case, the claimant a litigant in person had suggested a duty on … Continue reading O’Dwyer v ITV Plc: QBD 30 Nov 2012
The parties, former partners in a limited liability partnership providing investment funds management, had been involved in protracted and bitter litigation. The appellant now challenged the award of indemnity costs. Judges: Arden, Tomlinson, Davis LJJ Citations: [2012] EWCA Civ 843, [2012] WLR (D) 183, [2013] Bus LR 186, [2013] 1 Costs LR 35, [2013] 1 … Continue reading F and C Alternative Investments (Holdings) Ltd and Others v Barthelemy and Another: CA 22 Jun 2012
The word ‘calculated’ as used in s.2 of the 1952 Act meant ‘likely’: accepting that, in that context, that meant something less than ‘more likely than not’. Judges: Tugendhat J Citations: [2010] EWHC 2572 (QB) Links: Bailii Statutes: Defamation Act 1952 2 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd … Continue reading Andre v Price: QBD 11 Oct 2010
The claimant alleged defamation by the defendant, and the court now considered the meanings of the words complained of. Another person had been held by police for seven hours after identifying the claimant as a transgendered man. Held: The judge rejected a request for his recusal. The judge’s recent involvement in a case involving transgender … Continue reading Hayden v Associated Newspapers Ltd: QBD 11 Mar 2020
The claimant sought disclosure of identities of posters to the defendant’s web-site. Held: ‘In my view, the postings are clearly one or two-liners, in effect posted anonymously by random members of the public who do not purport, either by their identity or in what they say, to have any actual knowledge of the matters in … Continue reading Clift v Clarke: QBD 18 Feb 2011
ECJ Area of freedom, security and justice – Jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters – Special jurisdiction in tort, delict or quasi-delict – Action for a negative declaration (‘negative Feststellungsklage’) – Whether a person alleged to have committed a harmful act may bring a person who might be adversely affected before the courts with jurisdiction … Continue reading Folien Fischer AG and another v Ritrama SpA: ECJ 25 Oct 2012
ECJ (Grand Chamber) Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 – Jurisdiction and the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters – Jurisdiction ‘in matters relating to tort, delict or quasi-delict’ – Directive 2000/31/EC – Publication of information on the internet – Adverse effect on personality rights – Place where the harmful event occurred or may occur … Continue reading eDate Advertising GmbH v X: ECJ 25 Oct 2011
The claimant in England sought to recover a loan made pursuant to a facility agreement; the claimant in Greece sought a declaration that the facility agreement was invalid. The defendants sought a stay of the action brought against them here. Held: The application succeeded in part. The proceedings involved the same cause of action.There was … Continue reading JP Morgan Europe Ltd v Primacom Ag and Another: ComC 5 Apr 2005
The claimant sued in defamation over postings in a review of a book on the Amazon web-site and otherwise. The court now heard interim applications. Held: Various elements of the claim were struck out as being without value or prospect of succes, leaving only a request for an injunction aainst the fourth defendant. Judges: Moloney … Continue reading McGrath and Another v Dawkins and Others: QBD 30 Mar 2012
The claimant, manufacturer of electric cars, complained of a review of its car on ‘Top Gear’. It’s pleaded meanings had been rejected, and it now sought leave to amend its pleading to add new alleged defamatory meanings. Judges: Tugendhat J Citations: [2012] EWHC 310 (QB) Links: Bailii Citing: See also – Tesla Motors Ltd and … Continue reading Tesla Motors Ltd and Another v British Broadcasting Corporation: QBD 23 Feb 2012
The claimant company manufactured electric cars. They claimed that a review of a car on the defendant’s programme ‘Top Gear’ included malicious falsehoods and was defamatory. Held: The defamatory meanings claimed could not properly be attributed to the material in the program. The claim was struck out. Judges: Tugendhat J Citations: [2011] EWHC 2760 (QB) … Continue reading Tesla Motors Ltd and Another v British Broadcasting Corporation: QBD 28 Oct 2011
The appellants challenged the compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights of the system for recovery of costs in civil litigation in England and Wales following the passing of the Access to Justice Act 1999. The parties had been involved in very substantial litigation over an alleged nuisance. The claimants’ lawyers had acted under … Continue reading Coventry and Others v Lawrence and Another: SC 22 Jul 2015
The claimant alleged defamation by the defendant in an article regarding her expenses claims as an MP. She appealed against summary judgment in favour of the defence in their pleaded defence of honest comment. Held: Laws LJ said: ‘The principle identified in Jameel consists in the need to put a stop to defamation proceedings that … Continue reading Lait v Evening Standard Ltd: CA 28 Jul 2011
The female civilian officer alleged sex discrimination against her by a police officer. Her complaint was heard at an internal disciplinary. She alleged sexual harrassment, and was further humiliated by the all male board’s treatment of her complaint. The complaint now was solely as to her treatment by the Board. Held: The body was a … Continue reading Heath v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis: CA 20 Jul 2004
The claimant brought defamation claims as to articles making allegations said to imply that the claimant had mistreated his wife. The defendant contended that, while inferences might sometimes suffice, s.1 (1) nevertheless required a claimant to prove on the balance of probabilities that he had suffered, or would be likely to suffer, serious reputational harm, … Continue reading Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd: QBD 30 Jul 2015
Warby J said: ‘ . . but as practitioners in this field are well aware, it is generally impractical for a claimant to seek out witnesses to say that they read the words complained of and thought the worse of the claimant’ Judges: Warby J Citations: [2015] EWHC 127 (QB), [2015] EMLR 13, [2015] 1 … Continue reading Ames and Another v The Spamhaus Project Ltd and Another: QBD 27 Jan 2015
The claimant MP sued the defendant in defamation after he had alleged that the MP had corruptly solicited and received payments and benefits in kind as a reward for parliamentary services rendered. Held: Parliament has protected by privilege an MP against action for defamation arising from his parliamentary activities. A defendant in an action for … Continue reading Hamilton v Al Fayed: HL 23 Mar 2000
The claimant alleged complicity by the defendant, (now former) Foreign Secretary, in his mistreatment by the US while held in Libya. He also alleged involvement in his unlawful abduction and removal to Libya, from which had had fled for political persecution. The defendants now appealed from rejection of the defendants’ claim to state immunity and … Continue reading Belhaj and Another v Straw and Others: SC 17 Jan 2017
The Revenue had challenged a decision by the FTTTx to bar it from defending an appeal as to VAT liability. It had failed first to meet procedural time limits and on the issue of an unless order had failed to comply. The Revenue challenged the ability of the FTTTx to debar it from defending. Held: … Continue reading BPP Holdings Ltd and Others v Revenue and Customs: SC 26 Jul 2017
HMRC had been debarred from further participation in the proceedings. BPP provided training courses, and the issue was as to the chargeability to VAT of books supplied between companies in the group. In the proceedings, HMRC repeatedly failed to meet deadlines and an order was made debarring them unless they complied. They did not. They … Continue reading BPP Holdings v Revenue and Customs: CA 1 Mar 2016
The defendants had failed to comply with an ‘unless’ order requiring disclosure, and had been first debarred from defending the cases as to liability. They applied to a second judge who granted relief from sanctions after new solicitors had complied with the order. The claimant challenged the right of the second judge to grant such … Continue reading Thevarajah v Riordan and Others: SC 16 Dec 2015
FTTTx HMRC directed to provide further and better particulars – unless order breached – whether HMRC should be barred – whether Mitchell applies – HMRC barred. Judges: Judge Mosedale Citations: [2014] UKFTT 644 (TC) Links: Bailii Statutes: Finance Act 2011 75 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Mitchell MP v News Group Newspapers Ltd … Continue reading BPP University College of Professional Studies v Revenue and Customs: FTTTx 1 Jul 2014
PROCEDURE – HMRC barred from further participation – FTT rule 8 – whether FTT applied correct principles – no – whether FTT’s decision outside reasonable exercise of judicial discretion – yes – decision set aside and remade – no barring order Judges: Judge Bishopp Citations: [2014] UKUT 496 (TCC), [2014] BVC 544, [2015] STC 415 … Continue reading Revenue and Customs v BPP Holdings Ltd and Others: UTTC 3 Oct 2014
The claimant journalist sought disclosure of papers acquired by the respondent in its conduct of enquiries into the charitable Mariam appeal. The Commission referred to an absolute exemption under section 32(2) of the 2000 Act, saying that the exemption continued until the papers were destroyed, or for 20 years under the 1958 Act. Held: The … Continue reading Kennedy v The Charity Commission: SC 26 Mar 2014
Claimants falsehood reduced award to nominal only. The parties disputed the original authorship of bitcoin, the claimant saying he was ‘Satoshi’ that originator. The defendant published a series of tweets denying that connection. Held: One particular publication was to be read as part of the whole series and was defamatory. The defendant knew a conversation … Continue reading Wright v McCormack: QBD 1 Aug 2022
Judges and witness, including police officers are given immunity from suit in defamation in court proceedings.Fry LJ said: ‘Why should a witness be able to avail himself of his position in the box and to make without fear of civil consequences a false statement, which in many cases is perjured, and which is malicious and … Continue reading Munster v Lamb: CA 1883
The appellant sought to restrict publication by the defendants in the Mail on Sunday of matters which he said were a breach of confidence. He had lied to a court in giving evidence, whilst at the same time being ready to trash the reputation of his opponent. The judge had refused to excise the details … Continue reading Lord Browne of Madingley v Associated Newspapers Ltd: CA 3 Apr 2007
Lord Esher MR said: ‘It could not be denied that the court had jurisdiction to grant an interim injunction before trial. It was, however, a most delicate jurisdiction to exercise, because, though Fox’s Act only applied to indictments and informations for libel, the practice under that Act had been followed in civil actions for libel, … Continue reading William Coulson and Sons v James Coulson and Co: CA 1887
Inherent High Court power may restrain Publicity The claimant child’s mother was to be tried for the murder of his brother by poisoning with salt. It was feared that the publicity which would normally attend a trial, would be damaging to S, and an application was made for reporting restrictions to be applied to avoid … Continue reading In re S (a Child) (Identification: Restrictions on Publication): HL 28 Oct 2004
The defendant appealed against an order that service of the claim form could be dispensed with.Sir Anthony Clarke MR said: ‘the whole purpose of service is to inform the defendant of the contents of the claim form and the nature of the claimant’s case: see eg Barclays Bank of Swaziland Ltd v Hahn [1989] 1 … Continue reading Olafsson v Gissurarson (No 2): CA 3 Mar 2008
The newspaper appealed an award of damages for defamation after its theatre critic’s review of an opera written by the claimant. The author said the article made him appear to sympathise with terrorism. Held: The appeal succeeded. Keene LJ said: ‘It is unusual for this court to overturn a judge who has ruled that a … Continue reading Associated Newspapers Ltd v Burstein: CA 22 Jun 2007
The claimants had been detained under the 1971 Act, after completing sentences of imprisonment pending their return to their home countries under deportations recommended by the judges at trial, or chosen by the respondent. They challenged as unlawful the respondent’s, at first unpublished, policy introduced in 2006, that by default, those awaiting deportation should be … Continue reading Lumba (WL) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 23 Mar 2011
Various parties appealed refusal and grant of extensions of time for service of claim forms. Held: The court gave detailed guidance. The three central issues were the proper construction of the rule, the question of whether the court could reconsider an application made without notice and on paper, and whether the Hashtroodi guidance was being … Continue reading Collier v Williams and others: CA 25 Jan 2006
The claimant appealed against refusal of an order restraining publication by the respondent of an article about her. She said that it was based upon an email falsely attributed to her. Held: ‘in an action for defamation a court will not impose a prior restraint on publication unless it is clear that no defence will … Continue reading Greene v Associated Newspapers Ltd: CA 5 Nov 2004
(New Zealand) (Attorney General of New Zealand intervening) The defendant MP had made a statement in Parliament which attracted parliamentary privilege. In a subsequent newspaper interview, he said ‘he did not resile from his claim’. He defended the action for defamation claiming the privilege. Held: The original statement had privilege but the repetition outside parliament … Continue reading Jennings v Buchanan: PC 14 Jul 2004
The claimant had issued proceedings in time, but then the limitation period expired before it was served, and in the meantime the limitation period had expired. The defendant appealed against an automatic extension of time for service granted to the claimant. Held: The Rules should generally be interpreted without reference to case law under the … Continue reading Hashtroodi v Hancock: CA 27 May 2004
