Amersi v British Broadcasting Corporation [2025] EWHC 1323 (KB) (30 May 2025)

Amersi v British Broadcasting Corporation [2025] EWHC 1323 (KB) (30 May 2025)

The defendant's truth defence, as pleaded and as proposed to be amended (except for the section on termination of the claimant's engagement), is sufficiently particularised and relevant to withstand strike out and to permit amendment. The requirement for particularity in allegations of corruption is met by the overall context and detail provided, and does not require exhaustive particulars where the conduct is inherently secretive. The section on termination of the claimant's engagement with Telia is irrelevant to the truth defence and is struck out. The claimant must provide further information regarding the terms agreed with Telia for entertainment, but no further information is...

Citation
[2025] EWHC 1323 (KB)
Parties
Claimant: Mohamed Amersi; Defendant: British Broadcasting Corporation
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
30 May 2025
Procedural Posture
Libel / Interlocutory Applications on Strike Out, Amendment, and Further Information Prior to Trial
Outcome
Application to strike out parts of the defence is refused except for the section on termination of the claimant's engagement, which is struck out. Application to amend the defence is granted. Application for further information is granted only as to entertainment terms; otherwise refused.
Legal Topics
Libel, Defence of Truth, Pleading Requirements, Particularisation of Corruption Allegations, Civil Procedure, Requests for Further Information
Media Law Defamation Libel Defence of Truth Pleading Requirements Particularisation of Corruption Allegations Civil Procedure Requests for Further Information

Case Brief

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Parties

Mohamed Amersi

Claimant

British Broadcasting Corporation

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Interlocutory Applications on Strike Out, Amendment, and Further Information Prior to Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether parts of the defendant's truth defence should be struck out for lack of particularity or relevance
  2. 2 Whether the defendant should be permitted to amend its truth defence
  3. 3 Whether the claimant should be ordered to provide further information in reply to the defence

Ratio Decidendi

The defendant's truth defence, as pleaded and as proposed to be amended (except for the section on termination of the claimant's engagement), is sufficiently particularised and relevant to withstand strike out and to permit amendment. The requirement for particularity in allegations of corruption is met by the overall context and detail provided, and does not require exhaustive particulars where the conduct is inherently secretive. The section on termination of the claimant's engagement with Telia is irrelevant to the truth defence and is struck out. The claimant must provide further information regarding the terms agreed with Telia for entertainment, but no further information is...

Court Disposition

Application to strike out parts of the defence is refused except for the section on termination of the claimant's engagement, which is struck out. Application to amend the defence is granted. Application for further information is granted only as to entertainment terms; otherwise refused.

Orders

  • Paragraphs of the defence concerning termination of the claimant's engagement with Telia are struck out.
  • Defendant is granted permission to amend the defence as proposed (except for the struck out section).