Woodward v Grice [2017] EWHC 1292 (QB) (07 June 2017)

Woodward v Grice [2017] EWHC 1292 (QB) (07 June 2017)

The defendant published a serious and false libel alleging the claimant was a struck off solicitor, causing injury to reputation and distress. The publication and its foreseeable repetition justified substantial damages. The defendant's reckless publication, persistence in the allegation, and pursuit of further slurs aggravated the injury, warranting aggravated damages. The apology was late and only partially mitigated damages. Permanent injunctive relief was justified due to risk of repetition.

Citation
[2017] EWHC 1292 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Graham Woodward; Defendant: Andrew Grice
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
07 June 2017
Procedural Posture
Libel Proceedings (civil) / Assessment of Damages and Injunctive Relief Following Summary Judgment
Outcome
Judgment for the claimant. Damages awarded.
Legal Topics
Libel, Aggravated Damages, Injunctive Relief, Assessment of Damages, Mitigation and Aggravation of Damages, Summary Judgment
Defamation Tort Libel Aggravated Damages Injunctive Relief Assessment of Damages Mitigation and Aggravation of Damages Summary Judgment

Case Brief

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Parties

Graham Woodward

Claimant

Andrew Grice

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Proceedings (civil) / Assessment of Damages and Injunctive Relief Following Summary Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendant's publication constituted a serious libel against the claimant
  2. 2 Assessment of damages for libel, including aggravated damages
  3. 3 Whether repetition of the libel on a second website was a reasonably foreseeable consequence

Ratio Decidendi

The defendant published a serious and false libel alleging the claimant was a struck off solicitor, causing injury to reputation and distress. The publication and its foreseeable repetition justified substantial damages. The defendant's reckless publication, persistence in the allegation, and pursuit of further slurs aggravated the injury, warranting aggravated damages. The apology was late and only partially mitigated damages. Permanent injunctive relief was justified due to risk of repetition.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the claimant. Damages awarded.

Orders

  • Defendant to pay £18,000 in damages to the claimant.
  • Permanent injunctive relief granted restraining repetition of the libel.