Dell'olio v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2011] EWHC 3472 (QB) (20 December 2011)

Dell'olio v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2011] EWHC 3472 (QB) (20 December 2011)

The words complained of, although insulting and unflattering, do not reach the threshold of seriousness required to be defamatory of the Claimant. They are not capable of bearing the meaning attributed by the Claimant or any other defamatory meaning.

Citation
[2011] EWHC 3472
Parties
Claimant: Nancy Dell'Olio; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Ltd
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 December 2011
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Application for Ruling on Meaning Under CPR PD53 Para 4.1(1)
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Libel, Defamatory Meaning, Threshold of Seriousness, Freedom of Expression, Article 8 and Article 10 ECHR
Defamation Media Law Libel Defamatory Meaning Threshold of Seriousness Freedom of Expression Article 8 and Article 10 ECHR

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Parties

Nancy Dell'Olio

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Ltd

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Application for Ruling on Meaning Under CPR PD53 Para 4.1(1)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the words complained of are capable of bearing the defamatory meaning attributed by the Claimant
  2. 2 Whether the words are capable of bearing any other defamatory meaning of the Claimant

Ratio Decidendi

The words complained of, although insulting and unflattering, do not reach the threshold of seriousness required to be defamatory of the Claimant. They are not capable of bearing the meaning attributed by the Claimant or any other defamatory meaning.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed

Orders

  • Action dismissed as words complained of are not capable of bearing the pleaded or any other defamatory meaning