Chaudhry & Anor v Qureshi [2025] EWHC 1912 (KB) (25 July 2025)

Chaudhry & Anor v Qureshi [2025] EWHC 1912 (KB) (25 July 2025)

The court found that the defendant's publications bore highly defamatory meanings imputing serious criminal conduct to the claimants, that the publications caused or were likely to cause serious harm to their reputations, and that the defendant did not have a reasonable belief that publication was in the public interest. The public interest defence failed. The claimants were entitled to damages, injunctive relief, and an order for publication of a summary judgment.

Citation
[2025] EWHC 1912 (KB)
Parties
Claimant: Mohammed Yasin Chaudhry; Claimant: Amar Yasin; Defendant: Abrar Qureshi
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
25 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Libel/defamation / Final Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Claim allowed for both claimants. Defendant found liable for libel.
Legal Topics
Libel, Serious Harm, Public Interest Defence, Damages, Injunctions
Defamation Media Law Tort Libel Serious Harm Public Interest Defence Damages Injunctions

Case Brief

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Parties

Mohammed Yasin Chaudhry

Claimant

Amar Yasin

Claimant

Abrar Qureshi

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel/defamation / Final Judgment After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of?
  2. 2 Are the words statements of fact or opinion?
  3. 3 Are the words defamatory at common law?

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the defendant's publications bore highly defamatory meanings imputing serious criminal conduct to the claimants, that the publications caused or were likely to cause serious harm to their reputations, and that the defendant did not have a reasonable belief that publication was in the public interest. The public interest defence failed. The claimants were entitled to damages, injunctive relief, and an order for publication of a summary judgment.

Court Disposition

Claim allowed for both claimants. Defendant found liable for libel.

Orders

  • Defendant to pay general and aggravated damages to each claimant.
  • Defendant restrained by injunction from repeating the defamatory statements or similar allegations.