Turley v UNITE the Union & Anor

Turley v UNITE the Union & Anor

The defendants published an article alleging reasonable grounds to suspect the claimant acted dishonestly in joining Unite Community. The evidence established no reasonable grounds to suspect dishonesty; the claimant did not know she was ineligible. The article caused serious harm to her reputation. The truth and public interest defences failed. The claimant did not abuse process. Both defendants are liable for publication. Damages of £75,000 are awarded, including aggravation.

Parties
Claimant: Anna Turley; First Defendant: Unite the Union; Second Defendant: Stephen Walker
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
19 December 2019
Procedural Posture
Defamation, Misuse of Private Information, Breach of Confidence, Breach of Data Protection Act 1998 / Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Judgment for the claimant against both defendants.
Legal Topics
Libel, Misuse of Private Information, Breach of Confidence, Data Protection Act 1998, Public Interest Defence, Truth Defence, Serious Harm, Abuse of Process, Damages
Defamation Media Law Data Protection Privacy Employment Law Libel Misuse of Private Information Breach of Confidence +6 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Anna Turley

Claimant

Unite the Union

First Defendant

Stephen Walker

Second Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation, Misuse of Private Information, Breach of Confidence, Breach of Data Protection Act 1998 / Judgment After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Is Unite the Union liable for publication of the defamatory article?
  2. 2 Did the article cause serious harm to the claimant's reputation?
  3. 3 Is the defamatory meaning substantially true?

Ratio Decidendi

The defendants published an article alleging reasonable grounds to suspect the claimant acted dishonestly in joining Unite Community. The evidence established no reasonable grounds to suspect dishonesty; the claimant did not know she was ineligible. The article caused serious harm to her reputation. The truth and public interest defences failed. The claimant did not abuse process. Both defendants are liable for publication. Damages of £75,000 are awarded, including aggravation.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the claimant against both defendants.

Orders

  • Defendants to pay £75,000 in damages to claimant.
  • Defendants to publish a summary of the judgment on The Skwawkbox (subject to further submissions).