Pedder & Anor v Associated Newspapers Ltd

Pedder & Anor v Associated Newspapers Ltd

The claimants have a real prospect of establishing the defamatory meanings alleged, defeating the plea of justification, and recovering more than nominal damages; the claim is not an abuse of process and should not be struck out or subject to summary judgment.

Parties
Claimant: Sarah Pedder; Claimant: Allan Dummer; Defendant: Associated Newspapers Ltd
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
15 May 2003
Procedural Posture
Libel / Application to Strike Out And/or Summary Judgment
Outcome
Application to strike out and for summary judgment dismissed; claim proceeds to trial.
Legal Topics
Libel, Summary Judgment, Abuse of Process, Jury Trial, Justification, Damages
Defamation Civil Procedure Libel Summary Judgment Abuse of Process Jury Trial Justification Damages

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 5 Authorities cited 10 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Sarah Pedder

Claimant

Allan Dummer

Claimant

Associated Newspapers Ltd

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Application to Strike Out And/or Summary Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the claimants' statement of case discloses reasonable grounds for bringing the claim
  2. 2 Whether the claimants have a real prospect of success
  3. 3 Whether the action should be struck out as an abuse of process

Ratio Decidendi

The claimants have a real prospect of establishing the defamatory meanings alleged, defeating the plea of justification, and recovering more than nominal damages; the claim is not an abuse of process and should not be struck out or subject to summary judgment.

Court Disposition

Application to strike out and for summary judgment dismissed; claim proceeds to trial.