Murray v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2014] EWHC 1170 (QB) (15 April 2014)

Murray v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2014] EWHC 1170 (QB) (15 April 2014)

Permission to read a unilateral statement in open court should be granted unless there is sufficient reason to refuse; objections by the defendant do not constitute sufficient reason in this case, and the claimant's right to freedom of expression is engaged. Matters relevant to aggravation of damages may be included in the statement.

Citation
[2014] EWHC 1170
Parties
Claimant: Joanne Kathleen Murray; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Ltd
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
15 April 2014
Procedural Posture
Libel Proceedings / Application for Permission to Read Unilateral Statement in Open Court Following Acceptance of Offer of Amends
Outcome
Permission granted to claimant to read unilateral statement in open court.
Legal Topics
Offer of Amends, Unilateral Statement in Open Court, Aggravated Damages, Freedom of Expression
Defamation Civil Procedure Offer of Amends Unilateral Statement in Open Court Aggravated Damages Freedom of Expression

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 9 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Joanne Kathleen Murray

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Ltd

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Proceedings / Application for Permission to Read Unilateral Statement in Open Court Following Acceptance of Offer of Amends

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the claimant should be permitted to read a unilateral statement in open court after accepting an offer of amends under the Defamation Act 1996
  2. 2 Whether the defendant is entitled to object to the contents of the unilateral statement
  3. 3 Scope of matters permitted in unilateral statement relating to aggravation of damages

Ratio Decidendi

Permission to read a unilateral statement in open court should be granted unless there is sufficient reason to refuse; objections by the defendant do not constitute sufficient reason in this case, and the claimant's right to freedom of expression is engaged. Matters relevant to aggravation of damages may be included in the statement.

Court Disposition

Permission granted to claimant to read unilateral statement in open court.

Orders

  • Permission granted to Joanne Kathleen Murray to read the unilateral statement in open court in the form submitted with her application notice.
  • Matter decided on paper; no oral hearing granted.