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 conveying the suspicion that the Claimant will 'lift the lid on the Blairs' marriage' and their 'sex secrets' for substantial financial reward, and is capable of bearing the pleaded defamatory meanings at the level of 'reasonable grounds to suspect', but not 'strong grounds to suspect'. The Defendant's application to rule out the pleaded meanings is refused.

Citation
[2011] EWHC 1567 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Carole Caplin; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 June 2011
Procedural Posture
Libel / Interlocutory Application on Meaning (cpr PD 53 Para 4.1)
Outcome
Defendant's application refused
Legal Topics
Libel, Meaning of Defamatory Statements, Reasonable Reader Test, Bane and Antidote, Suspicion in Defamation
Defamation Media Law Libel Meaning of Defamatory Statements Reasonable Reader Test Bane and Antidote Suspicion in Defamation

Case Brief

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Parties

Carole Caplin

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Interlocutory Application on Meaning (cpr PD 53 Para 4.1)

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 conveying the suspicion that the Claimant will 'lift the lid on the Blairs' marriage' and their 'sex secrets' for substantial financial reward, and is capable of bearing the pleaded defamatory meanings at the level of 'reasonable grounds to suspect', but not 'strong grounds to suspect'. The Defendant's 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 at the level of 'reasonable grounds to suspect'.
  • The case will proceed to trial for determination of actual meaning and any defences.