Caplin v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2011] EWHC 1567 (QB) (20 June 2011)

Caplin v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2011] EWHC 1567 (QB) (20 June 2011)

The article is capable of bearing the pleaded defamatory meanings, specifically that there are reasonable grounds to suspect the Claimant will disclose the Blairs' sex secrets for financial reward and that massages given to Tony Blair involved sexual activity. The level of suspicion conveyed is one of 'reasonable grounds to suspect', not 'strong grounds'. The application to rule out the pleaded meanings is refused.

Citation
[2011] EWHC 1567
Parties
Claimant: Carole Caplin; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 June 2011
Procedural Posture
Libel Action (meaning Application) / Interlocutory Application for Ruling on Meaning and Defamatory Capability
Outcome
Defendant's application refused
Legal Topics
Libel, Meaning of Defamatory Statements, Interpretation of Publications, Reasonable Reader Test
Defamation Media Law Libel Meaning of Defamatory Statements Interpretation of Publications Reasonable Reader Test

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 9 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 4
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Carole Caplin

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action (meaning Application) / Interlocutory Application for Ruling on Meaning and Defamatory Capability

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the article is capable of bearing the defamatory meanings pleaded by the Claimant
  2. 2 Whether the article is capable of bearing any meaning defamatory of the Claimant

Ratio Decidendi

The article is capable of bearing the pleaded defamatory meanings, specifically that there are reasonable grounds to suspect the Claimant will disclose the Blairs' sex secrets for financial reward and that massages given to Tony Blair involved sexual activity. The level of suspicion conveyed is one of 'reasonable grounds to suspect', not 'strong grounds'. The application to rule out the pleaded meanings is refused.

Court Disposition

Defendant's application refused

Orders

  • The article is capable of bearing the pleaded defamatory meanings, subject to the level of suspicion being 'reasonable grounds to suspect'.
  • The issue of actual meaning is to be determined at trial.