Glenn v Kline [2021] EWHC 468 (QB) (05 March 2021)

Glenn v Kline [2021] EWHC 468 (QB) (05 March 2021)

The Defendant's persistent, serious, and unsubstantiated campaign of libel and harassment against the Claimant, including repeated publication of grave allegations without evidence, justified substantial damages, aggravated damages, and injunctive relief. The Claimant was entitled to amend the claim to increase damages sought, and to an order for publication of a summary of the judgment. The Defendant's non-engagement and failure to defend or comply with court orders aggravated the harm and justified the remedies granted.

Citation
[2021] EWHC 468 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Martin Glenn; Defendant: Craig Kline
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
05 March 2021
Procedural Posture
Libel and Harassment Claim / Remedies Hearing Following Default Judgment
Outcome
Claim allowed. Damages awarded. Amendment of claim permitted. Order for publication of summary judgment. Costs awarded.
Legal Topics
Libel, Online Harassment, Default Judgment, Damages Assessment, Freedom of Expression, Amendment of Claim, Costs
Defamation Harassment Civil Procedure Libel Online Harassment Default Judgment Damages Assessment Freedom of Expression +2 more

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Parties

Martin Glenn

Claimant

Craig Kline

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel and Harassment Claim / Remedies Hearing Following Default Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Appropriate measure of damages for libel and harassment
  2. 2 Whether to permit amendment of claim to increase damages sought
  3. 3 Whether to order publication of summary of judgment under s12 Defamation Act 2013

Ratio Decidendi

The Defendant's persistent, serious, and unsubstantiated campaign of libel and harassment against the Claimant, including repeated publication of grave allegations without evidence, justified substantial damages, aggravated damages, and injunctive relief. The Claimant was entitled to amend the claim to increase damages sought, and to an order for publication of a summary of the judgment. The Defendant's non-engagement and failure to defend or comply with court orders aggravated the harm and justified the remedies granted.

Court Disposition

Claim allowed. Damages awarded. Amendment of claim permitted. Order for publication of summary judgment. Costs awarded.

Orders

  • Permission granted to amend claim to increase damages sought to £100,000, conditional on payment of additional court fee.
  • General damages for harassment (pre-May 2019 publications) awarded at £25,000.