Hanson v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2020] EWHC 1048 (QB) (01 May 2020)

Hanson v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2020] EWHC 1048 (QB) (01 May 2020)

The Article's natural and ordinary meaning is that the Claimant, by supporting Vicki Paterson, subscribing to the idea that alleged victims must be believed, and associating with Beech, demonstrated a lack of professional judgement and gave unjustified credibility to Beech's fantasies, sharing responsibility for reputational and financial harm. By accepting a position on an advisory panel after prejudging Heath's guilt, she demonstrated lack of impartiality. The underlined passages are opinion; the rest are fact. The meaning as a whole is defamatory due to the opinion expressed, not the factual allegations themselves.

Citation
[2020] EWHC 1048
Parties
Claimant: Eleanor Louise Hanson; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
01 May 2020
Procedural Posture
Libel Claim / Preliminary Issues Determination (meaning and Fact/opinion)
Outcome
Preliminary issues determined: meaning and fact/opinion found as set out in judgment; no final determination of liability or damages.
Legal Topics
Libel, Defamatory Meaning, Fact Vs Opinion, Honest Opinion Defence, Media Publications
Defamation Media Law Libel Defamatory Meaning Fact Vs Opinion Honest Opinion Defence Media Publications

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Parties

Eleanor Louise Hanson

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Claim / Preliminary Issues Determination (meaning and Fact/opinion)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the Article?
  2. 2 Are the words complained of statements of fact or opinion?
  3. 3 Did the Article indicate the basis of any opinion expressed?

Ratio Decidendi

The Article's natural and ordinary meaning is that the Claimant, by supporting Vicki Paterson, subscribing to the idea that alleged victims must be believed, and associating with Beech, demonstrated a lack of professional judgement and gave unjustified credibility to Beech's fantasies, sharing responsibility for reputational and financial harm. By accepting a position on an advisory panel after prejudging Heath's guilt, she demonstrated lack of impartiality. The underlined passages are opinion; the rest are fact. The meaning as a whole is defamatory due to the opinion expressed, not the factual allegations themselves.

Court Disposition

Preliminary issues determined: meaning and fact/opinion found as set out in judgment; no final determination of liability or damages.

Orders

  • The natural and ordinary meaning of the Article is as set out in the judgment.
  • Statements of opinion and fact delineated as per judgment.