Gregson v Channel Four Television Corporation [2002] EWCA Civ 941 (4 July 2002)

Gregson v Channel Four Television Corporation [2002] EWCA Civ 941 (4 July 2002)

The judge was entitled to find that the trial required a prolonged examination of documents which could not conveniently be made with a jury, and his exercise of discretion to order judge-alone trial for issues other than meaning was unimpeachable.

Citation
[2002] EWCA Civ 941
Parties
Claimant/respondent: David Gregson; Defendant/appellant: Channel Four Television Corporation
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
04 July 2002
Procedural Posture
Appeal From High Court (queen’s Bench Division) / Appeal Against Order Changing Mode of Trial
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Libel, Mode of Trial, Qualified Privilege, Malice, Damages
Media Law Defamation Civil Procedure Libel Mode of Trial Qualified Privilege Malice Damages

Case Brief

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Parties

David Gregson

Claimant/respondent

Channel Four Television Corporation

Defendant/appellant

Procedural Posture

Appeal From High Court (queen’s Bench Division) / Appeal Against Order Changing Mode of Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the trial of issues other than meaning should be by judge alone rather than judge and jury
  2. 2 Whether there would be a prolonged examination of documents making jury trial inconvenient
  3. 3 Whether the judge exercised discretion properly under section 69 of the Supreme Court Act 1981

Ratio Decidendi

The judge was entitled to find that the trial required a prolonged examination of documents which could not conveniently be made with a jury, and his exercise of discretion to order judge-alone trial for issues other than meaning was unimpeachable.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeal dismissed
  • Orders as per consent order agreed between counsel