Corbyn v Millett [2021] EWCA Civ 567 (20 April 2021)

Corbyn v Millett [2021] EWCA Civ 567 (20 April 2021)

The words complained of were statements of fact, not opinion, and conveyed a defamatory tendency at common law by alleging disruptive and abusive conduct serious enough to lower the claimant's reputation.

Citation
[2021] EWCA Civ 567
Parties
Appellant/defendant: The Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP; Respondent/claimant: Richard Millett
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 April 2021
Procedural Posture
Libel Appeal / Appeal From Trial of Preliminary Issues
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Libel, Honest Opinion Defence, Defamatory Tendency, Fact Vs Opinion, Threshold of Seriousness

Case Brief

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Parties

The Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP

Appellant/defendant

Richard Millett

Respondent/claimant

Procedural Posture

Libel Appeal / Appeal From Trial of Preliminary Issues

  1. 1 Whether the statement was a statement of fact or opinion
  2. 2 Whether the statement was defamatory at common law

Ratio Decidendi

The words complained of were statements of fact, not opinion, and conveyed a defamatory tendency at common law by alleging disruptive and abusive conduct serious enough to lower the claimant's reputation.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed; the High Court's findings on fact/opinion and defamatory tendency stand.