Vardy v Rooney

The words complained of bear a Chase level one meaning: that over a period of years Ms Vardy had regularly and frequently abused her status as a trusted follower of Ms Rooney’s personal Instagram account by secretly informing The Sun newspaper of Ms Rooney’s private posts and stories, thereby making public without Ms Rooney’s permission a great deal of information about Ms Rooney, her friends and family which she did not want made public.

Parties: Claimant: Rebekah Vardy; Defendant: Coleen Rooney
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Judgment Date: 20 November 2020
Procedural Posture: Libel / Preliminary Issue Trial on Meaning
Outcome: The words complained of bear the meaning contended for by the claimant (Chase level one).
Legal Topics: Libel, Meaning of Defamatory Statements, Social Media Publications

Defamation Media Law Libel Meaning of Defamatory Statements Social Media Publications

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Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 12 Party arguments 2

Parties

Rebekah Vardy

Claimant

Coleen Rooney

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Preliminary Issue Trial on Meaning

Legal Issues

1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of in the social media posts?
2 Do the words bear a Chase level one or level two meaning?

Ratio Decidendi

Court Disposition

The words complained of bear the meaning contended for by the claimant (Chase level one).

Orders

The preliminary issue is determined in favour of the claimant.