Horan v Express Newspapers [2015] EWHC 3550 (QB) (07 December 2015)

Horan v Express Newspapers [2015] EWHC 3550 (QB) (07 December 2015)

The articles are capable of bearing the meaning that Mr Horan used hard drugs, namely crystal meth or crack, and are capable of being defamatory of the claimant. The application to rule otherwise is dismissed.

Citation
[2015] EWHC 3550
Parties
Claimant: Niall Horan; Defendant: Express Newspapers
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
07 December 2015
Procedural Posture
Libel Claim / Interlocutory Application on Meaning (capability of Defamatory Meaning)
Outcome
Application dismissed
Legal Topics
Defamatory Meaning, Libel, Media Publications, Threshold of Seriousness, Preliminary Issues
Defamation Media Law Defamatory Meaning Libel Media Publications Threshold of Seriousness Preliminary Issues

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Parties

Niall Horan

Claimant

Express Newspapers

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Claim / Interlocutory Application on Meaning (capability of Defamatory Meaning)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the articles are capable of bearing the defamatory meaning pleaded by the claimant
  2. 2 Whether the articles are capable of being defamatory of the claimant

Ratio Decidendi

The articles are capable of bearing the meaning that Mr Horan used hard drugs, namely crystal meth or crack, and are capable of being defamatory of the claimant. The application to rule otherwise is dismissed.

Court Disposition

Application dismissed

Orders

  • The statement is capable of having the meaning attributed to it in the Particulars of Claim and is capable of being defamatory of the claimant.