Horan v Express Newspapers

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 him. The application to strike out is dismissed.

Parties: Claimant: Niall Horan; Defendant: Express Newspapers
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Judgment Date: 07 December 2015
Procedural Posture: Libel / Application to Strike Out on Basis That Words Not Capable of Bearing Defamatory Meaning
Outcome: Application dismissed
Legal Topics: Defamatory Meaning, Threshold of Seriousness, Bane and Antidote, Repetition Rule, Chase Levels

Defamation Media Law Defamatory Meaning Threshold of Seriousness Bane and Antidote Repetition Rule Chase Levels

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Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 5 Authorities cited 10 Party arguments 2

Parties

Niall Horan

Claimant

Express Newspapers

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Application to Strike Out on Basis That Words Not 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 under common law

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 him. The application to strike out 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.