Simpson v MGN Ltd [2015] EWHC 77 (QB) (21 January 2015)

Simpson v MGN Ltd [2015] EWHC 77 (QB) (21 January 2015)

The articles bear the natural and ordinary defamatory meaning that by entering a romantic relationship with Tulisa Contostavlos, the claimant was unfaithful to his loyal partner Stephanie Ward, with whom he was in a long-term and committed relationship, living with their daughter as a family; he did so despite Ms Ward having sacrificed her legal career to have his children and being, as he knew, pregnant with their next child; and by doing so he callously destroyed his relationship with Ms Ward and broke up an established family unit which was soon to be joined by the child they were expecting. The defence of justification, as pleaded and as proposed to be amended, does not meet the full...

Citation
[2015] EWHC 77 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Daniel Peter Simpson; Defendant/intended Part 20 Claimant: MGN Limited; Intended Part 20 Defendant: Stephanie Ward
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
21 January 2015
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Preliminary Issues and Interlocutory Applications
Outcome
Claimant's application to try preliminary issues and strike out justification defence granted; Defendant's application to amend Defence refused; Defendant's application to join Stephanie Ward as Part 20 Defendant for contribution granted.
Legal Topics
Libel, Meaning of Defamatory Words, Justification Defence, Contribution Claims
Defamation Media Law Libel Meaning of Defamatory Words Justification Defence Contribution Claims

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 9 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Daniel Peter Simpson

Claimant

MGN Limited

Defendant/intended Part 20 Claimant

Stephanie Ward

Intended Part 20 Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Preliminary Issues and Interlocutory Applications

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of?
  2. 2 Are the words defamatory of the claimant?
  3. 3 Is the defence of justification capable of succeeding?

Ratio Decidendi

The articles bear the natural and ordinary defamatory meaning that by entering a romantic relationship with Tulisa Contostavlos, the claimant was unfaithful to his loyal partner Stephanie Ward, with whom he was in a long-term and committed relationship, living with their daughter as a family; he did so despite Ms Ward having sacrificed her legal career to have his children and being, as he knew, pregnant with their next child; and by doing so he callously destroyed his relationship with Ms Ward and broke up an established family unit which was soon to be joined by the child they were expecting. The defence of justification, as pleaded and as proposed to be amended, does not meet the full...

Court Disposition

Claimant's application to try preliminary issues and strike out justification defence granted; Defendant's application to amend Defence refused; Defendant's application to join Stephanie Ward as Part 20 Defendant for contribution granted.

Orders

  • Strike out the existing plea of justification.
  • Refuse permission to amend the Defence.