Sharif v Associated Newspapers Ltd (Rev 1) [2021] EWHC 343 (QB) (05 February 2021)

Sharif v Associated Newspapers Ltd (Rev 1) [2021] EWHC 343 (QB) (05 February 2021)

The Article, as understood by the ordinary reasonable reader, alleged that Mr Sharif was party to and the principal beneficiary of laundering tens of millions of pounds, proceeds of his embezzlement as Chief Minister of Punjab, including substantial British public money and corrupt payments from kickbacks or commissions. For Mr Yousaf, the Article alleged he knowingly received £1 million embezzled from earthquake relief funds and there were strong grounds to suspect he benefitted from further laundered payments. Both meanings are defamatory at common law. The meaning should focus on the Claimant personally, not extend to family members. Costs of the preliminary issue are to be costs in...

Citation
[2021] EWHC 343
Parties
Claimant: Mian Muhammad Shabaz Sharif; Claimant: Imran Ali Yousaf; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
05 February 2021
Procedural Posture
Defamation (libel) / Preliminary Issue Trial on Natural and Ordinary Meaning and Defamatory Tendency at Common Law
Outcome
Preliminary issue determined: natural and ordinary meanings found as set out in the judgment; both meanings are defamatory at common law; costs of the preliminary issue to be costs in the case.
Legal Topics
Libel, Natural and Ordinary Meaning, Defamatory Tendency, Chase Levels, Repetition Rule, Costs in Preliminary Issues
Media Law Defamation Tort Libel Natural and Ordinary Meaning Defamatory Tendency Chase Levels Repetition Rule +1 more

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Parties

Mian Muhammad Shabaz Sharif

Claimant

Imran Ali Yousaf

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation (libel) / Preliminary Issue Trial on Natural and Ordinary Meaning and Defamatory Tendency at Common Law

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the Article in respect of each Claimant?
  2. 2 Is the meaning defamatory of the Claimant at common law?
  3. 3 Should costs be awarded following the preliminary issue determination?

Ratio Decidendi

The Article, as understood by the ordinary reasonable reader, alleged that Mr Sharif was party to and the principal beneficiary of laundering tens of millions of pounds, proceeds of his embezzlement as Chief Minister of Punjab, including substantial British public money and corrupt payments from kickbacks or commissions. For Mr Yousaf, the Article alleged he knowingly received £1 million embezzled from earthquake relief funds and there were strong grounds to suspect he benefitted from further laundered payments. Both meanings are defamatory at common law. The meaning should focus on the Claimant personally, not extend to family members. Costs of the preliminary issue are to be costs in...

Court Disposition

Preliminary issue determined: natural and ordinary meanings found as set out in the judgment; both meanings are defamatory at common law; costs of the preliminary issue to be costs in the case.

Orders

  • Natural and ordinary meaning of the Article determined for each Claimant as set out in the judgment.
  • Both meanings held to be defamatory at common law.