Vardy v Rooney & Anor [2022] EWHC 304 (QB) (14 February 2022)

Vardy v Rooney & Anor [2022] EWHC 304 (QB) (14 February 2022)

Permission to bring the additional claim against the respondent is refused because the application was made too late, without adequate explanation, and would unfairly delay the libel trial, prejudicing the claimant's right to timely vindication and imposing an expedited and unfair timetable on the respondent. The factual and legal overlap does not outweigh the prejudice and procedural unfairness caused by the delay.

Citation
[2022] EWHC 304 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Rebekah Vardy; Defendant: Coleen Rooney; Respondent: Caroline Watt
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 February 2022
Procedural Posture
Libel Claim With Pre Trial Applications / Pre Trial Applications Ruling
Outcome
Defendant's application to bring an additional claim against the respondent refused; alternative application to try claims together refused.
Legal Topics
Libel, Joinder of Parties, Misuse of Private Information, Data Protection, Disclosure, Case Management
Defamation Media Law Civil Procedure Libel Joinder of Parties Misuse of Private Information Data Protection Disclosure +1 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Rebekah Vardy

Claimant

Coleen Rooney

Defendant

Caroline Watt

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Libel Claim With Pre Trial Applications / Pre Trial Applications Ruling

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether to permit the defendant to bring an additional claim against the respondent under CPR Part 20 for misuse of private information and breach of data protection rights;
  2. 2 Whether to allow the defendant's application to amend her defence;
  3. 3 Whether to order further information and specific disclosure;

Ratio Decidendi

Permission to bring the additional claim against the respondent is refused because the application was made too late, without adequate explanation, and would unfairly delay the libel trial, prejudicing the claimant's right to timely vindication and imposing an expedited and unfair timetable on the respondent. The factual and legal overlap does not outweigh the prejudice and procedural unfairness caused by the delay.

Court Disposition

Defendant's application to bring an additional claim against the respondent refused; alternative application to try claims together refused.

Orders

  • Permission to bring additional claim against Caroline Watt refused.
  • Permission to try claims together under CPR 3.1(2)(h) refused.