The Duke of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2022] EWHC 1755 (QB) (08 July 2022)

The Duke of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2022] EWHC 1755 (QB) (08 July 2022)

The Article's natural and ordinary meaning is that the Claimant sought far-reaching and unjustifiably wide confidentiality restrictions, was responsible for misleading public statements about his willingness to pay for police protection, and attempted to mislead and confuse the public, which is ironic given his public role in tackling misinformation. These meanings are defamatory at common law, with elements of fact and opinion.

Citation
[2022] EWHC 1755 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: The Duke of Sussex; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
08 July 2022
Procedural Posture
Libel Claim / Preliminary Issues Judgment
Outcome
Preliminary issues determined; Article found to bear defamatory meanings at common law.
Legal Topics
Libel, Natural and Ordinary Meaning, Fact Vs Opinion, Defamatory at Common Law
Defamation Media Law Libel Natural and Ordinary Meaning Fact Vs Opinion Defamatory at Common Law

Case Brief

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Parties

The Duke of Sussex

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Claim / Preliminary Issues Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the Article?
  2. 2 Does the Article contain statements of fact or expressions of opinion?
  3. 3 Is the Article defamatory of the Claimant at common law?

Ratio Decidendi

The Article's natural and ordinary meaning is that the Claimant sought far-reaching and unjustifiably wide confidentiality restrictions, was responsible for misleading public statements about his willingness to pay for police protection, and attempted to mislead and confuse the public, which is ironic given his public role in tackling misinformation. These meanings are defamatory at common law, with elements of fact and opinion.

Court Disposition

Preliminary issues determined; Article found to bear defamatory meanings at common law.

Orders

  • Defendant to file Defence; further determination of serious harm and substantive defences to occur later.