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, as pleaded, and are capable of being defamatory of the claimant. The application is dismissed.

Citation: [2015] EWHC 3550 (QB)
Parties: Claimant: Niall Horan; Defendant: Express Newspapers
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Judgment Date: 07 December 2015
Procedural Posture: Libel Claim / Interlocutory Application to Determine If Words Are Capable of Bearing Defamatory Meaning
Outcome: Application dismissed
Legal Topics: Defamatory Meaning, Libel, Preliminary Issues, Serious Harm, Chase Levels, Bane and Antidote, Repetition Rule

Defamation Media Law Defamatory Meaning Libel Preliminary Issues Serious Harm Chase Levels Bane and Antidote +1 more

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Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 5 Authorities cited 11 Party arguments 2

Parties

Niall Horan

Claimant

Express Newspapers

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Claim / Interlocutory Application to Determine If Words Are Capable of Bearing Defamatory Meaning

Legal Issues

1 Whether the articles are capable of bearing the defamatory meaning pleaded by the claimant
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, as pleaded, and are capable of being defamatory of the claimant. The application is dismissed.

Court Disposition

Application dismissed

Orders

The application for a ruling that the articles are not capable of bearing the pleaded defamatory meaning is dismissed.