ZAM v CFW & Anor [2013] EWHC 662 (QB) (26 March 2013)

ZAM v CFW & Anor [2013] EWHC 662 (QB) (26 March 2013)

The court awarded substantial general and aggravated damages for slander, libel, and harassment, finding the allegations entirely false, malicious, and part of a campaign of blackmail. The court granted a permanent anonymity order to prevent further harm and extortion, and a permanent injunction restraining further publication. The defendant's conduct, including internet publications in breach of injunctions, aggravated the damages. The court followed established principles on damages, injunctions, and anonymity in blackmail-related defamation cases.

Citation
[2013] EWHC 662
Parties
Claimant: ZAM; First Defendant: CFW; Second Defendant: TFW
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
26 March 2013
Procedural Posture
Civil Defamation and Harassment / Assessment of Damages Following Summary Judgment on Liability
Outcome
Judgment for the claimant against the second defendant; damages assessed; permanent injunction and anonymity order granted.
Legal Topics
Slander, Libel, Aggravated Damages, Anonymity Orders, Blackmail, Freedom of Expression, Permanent Injunctions
Defamation Harassment Civil Procedure Human Rights Slander Libel Aggravated Damages Anonymity Orders +3 more

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Parties

ZAM

Claimant

CFW

First Defendant

TFW

Second Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Defamation and Harassment / Assessment of Damages Following Summary Judgment on Liability

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Assessment of damages for slander, libel, and harassment
  2. 2 Appropriateness of permanent anonymity order for claimant
  3. 3 Entitlement to permanent injunctions post-judgment

Ratio Decidendi

The court awarded substantial general and aggravated damages for slander, libel, and harassment, finding the allegations entirely false, malicious, and part of a campaign of blackmail. The court granted a permanent anonymity order to prevent further harm and extortion, and a permanent injunction restraining further publication. The defendant's conduct, including internet publications in breach of injunctions, aggravated the damages. The court followed established principles on damages, injunctions, and anonymity in blackmail-related defamation cases.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the claimant against the second defendant; damages assessed; permanent injunction and anonymity order granted.

Orders

  • Second defendant to pay general and aggravated damages for slander, libel, and harassment
  • Permanent injunction restraining further publication of the allegations