Spedding v Nationwide News Pty Ltd [2018] NSWSC 844

Spedding v Nationwide News Pty Ltd [2018] NSWSC 844

The ordinary reasonable reader could reasonably understand the matters complained of to convey the imputation that Mr Spedding is a paedophile, based on the combination of features in the articles, including photographs, the depiction of the plaintiff and his van, and the juxtaposition of facts. Therefore, the imputations specified in [9] and [13] of the statement of claim will go to the jury.

Parties
Plaintiff: William Spedding; Defendant: Nationwide News Pty Ltd
Jurisdiction
Australia
Judgment Date
18 May 2018
Procedural Posture
Defamation / Separate Question on Legal Issue of Capacity at First Listing
Outcome
Imputations to go to the jury
Legal Topics
Imputations, Reasonable Capability, Juxtaposition of Facts, Inference From Media Publications
Defamation Imputations Reasonable Capability Juxtaposition of Facts Inference From Media Publications

Case Brief

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Parties

William Spedding

Plaintiff

Nationwide News Pty Ltd

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation / Separate Question on Legal Issue of Capacity at First Listing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the imputations specified by the plaintiff are reasonably capable of being conveyed by the articles complained of

Ratio Decidendi

The ordinary reasonable reader could reasonably understand the matters complained of to convey the imputation that Mr Spedding is a paedophile, based on the combination of features in the articles, including photographs, the depiction of the plaintiff and his van, and the juxtaposition of facts. Therefore, the imputations specified in [9] and [13] of the statement of claim will go to the jury.

Court Disposition

Imputations to go to the jury

Orders

  • The plaintiff's imputations specified in [9] and [13] of the statement of claim will go to the jury