Sharif v Associated Newspapers Ltd (Rev 1)

Sharif v Associated Newspapers Ltd (Rev 1)

The Article's natural and ordinary meaning as regards Mr Sharif is that he 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 via kickbacks or commission. As regards Mr Yousaf, the Article alleges he knowingly received £1 million embezzled from earthquake relief funds and there are strong grounds to suspect he benefited as part of Mr Sharif's family from laundered payments, knowing they were embezzled or stolen. Both meanings are defamatory at common law.

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 Determination of Meaning and Defamatory Character
Outcome
Court determined the natural and ordinary meaning of the Article for each Claimant and found both meanings defamatory at common law; costs of the preliminary issue to be costs in the case.
Legal Topics
Libel, Natural and Ordinary Meaning, Chase Levels, Repetition Rule, Bane and Antidote, Preliminary Issue, Costs
Defamation Media Law Libel Natural and Ordinary Meaning Chase Levels Repetition Rule Bane and Antidote Preliminary Issue +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 Determination of Meaning and Defamatory Character

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 the meaning include reference to family members or focus solely on the Claimant?

Ratio Decidendi

The Article's natural and ordinary meaning as regards Mr Sharif is that he 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 via kickbacks or commission. As regards Mr Yousaf, the Article alleges he knowingly received £1 million embezzled from earthquake relief funds and there are strong grounds to suspect he benefited as part of Mr Sharif's family from laundered payments, knowing they were embezzled or stolen. Both meanings are defamatory at common law.

Court Disposition

Court determined the natural and ordinary meaning of the Article for each Claimant and found both meanings defamatory at common law; costs of the preliminary issue to be costs in the case.

Orders

  • Natural and ordinary meaning as regards Mr Sharif: party to and principal beneficiary of laundering tens of millions of pounds, proceeds of embezzlement as Chief Minister of Punjab, including substantial British public money and corrupt payments via kickbacks or commission.
  • Natural and ordinary meaning as regards Mr Yousaf: knowingly received £1 million embezzled from earthquake relief funds; strong grounds to suspect he benefited as part of Mr Sharif's family from laundered payments, knowing they were embezzled or stolen.