Morgan v Associated Newspapers Ltd

Morgan v Associated Newspapers Ltd

The Article bears a meaning that is sufficiently serious to give rise to a clear inference of serious reputational harm, as it denounces the Claimant in direct terms, is endorsed by authoritative sources, and is fully adopted by the publisher, thus crossing the threshold of seriousness under s.1(1) Defamation Act 2013.

Parties
Claimant: Steve Morgan CBE; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
06 July 2018
Procedural Posture
Libel / Ruling on Preliminary Issues of Meaning, Fact/opinion, and Serious Harm
Outcome
Threshold of serious harm satisfied; Defendant's application to amend Defence dismissed.
Legal Topics
Libel, Serious Harm Threshold, Defamatory Meaning, Opinion Vs Fact, Case Management
Defamation Media Law Libel Serious Harm Threshold Defamatory Meaning Opinion Vs Fact Case Management

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Parties

Steve Morgan CBE

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Ruling on Preliminary Issues of Meaning, Fact/opinion, and Serious Harm

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the meaning of the Article?
  2. 2 Are the allegations fact or opinion?
  3. 3 Does the Article convey a serious defamatory imputation under s.1(1) Defamation Act 2013?

Ratio Decidendi

The Article bears a meaning that is sufficiently serious to give rise to a clear inference of serious reputational harm, as it denounces the Claimant in direct terms, is endorsed by authoritative sources, and is fully adopted by the publisher, thus crossing the threshold of seriousness under s.1(1) Defamation Act 2013.

Court Disposition

Threshold of serious harm satisfied; Defendant's application to amend Defence dismissed.

Orders

  • The Defendant's application to amend its Defence to withdraw the admission of serious harm is formally dismissed.