Berezovsky v Russian Television & Radio Broadcasting Company & Anor

Berezovsky v Russian Television & Radio Broadcasting Company & Anor

The court found that the broadcast contained serious defamatory allegations against the Claimant, that the Second Defendant was responsible for the allegation of conspiracy to procure false evidence but not for the murder or threats, and that the defence of justification failed. Damages were awarded to vindicate the Claimant's reputation and compensate for distress and risk to refugee status.

Parties
Claimant: Boris Berezovsky; First Defendant: Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Company; Second Defendant: Vladimir Terluk
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 March 2010
Procedural Posture
Defamation / Final Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Judgment for the Claimant
Legal Topics
Libel, False Statements, Damages, Joint Tortfeasors, Justification Defence
Defamation Media Law Tort Libel False Statements Damages Joint Tortfeasors Justification Defence

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Parties

Boris Berezovsky

Claimant

Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Company

First Defendant

Vladimir Terluk

Second Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation / Final Judgment After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the broadcast contained defamatory statements about the Claimant
  2. 2 Whether the Second Defendant was responsible for the defamatory statements
  3. 3 Whether the defence of justification was made out

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the broadcast contained serious defamatory allegations against the Claimant, that the Second Defendant was responsible for the allegation of conspiracy to procure false evidence but not for the murder or threats, and that the defence of justification failed. Damages were awarded to vindicate the Claimant's reputation and compensate for distress and risk to refugee status.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the Claimant

Orders

  • Damages awarded against both Defendants jointly in the sum of £150,000