White v Express Newspapers [2014] EWHC 814 (QB) (25 March 2014)

White v Express Newspapers [2014] EWHC 814 (QB) (25 March 2014)

Given both parties benefited from proceeding by trial of preliminary issue and claimants exaggerated their claims but achieved some success, the appropriate order is no order for costs for the period between judgment and the open offer; claimants to pay defendant's costs from the time of the open offer.

Citation
[2014] EWHC 814 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: James White; Defendant: Express Newspapers
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
25 March 2014
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Post Judgment Costs Ruling
Outcome
No order for costs for period between judgment and open offer; claimants to pay defendant's costs from time of open offer.
Legal Topics
Libel, Costs, Meaning of Defamatory Words, Practice Direction Applications
Defamation Civil Procedure Libel Costs Meaning of Defamatory Words Practice Direction Applications

Case Brief

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Parties

James White

Claimant

Express Newspapers

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Post Judgment Costs Ruling

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Appropriate costs order following trial of preliminary issue on meaning in libel action
  2. 2 Whether claimants exaggerated the seriousness of the meaning attributed to the words complained of

Ratio Decidendi

Given both parties benefited from proceeding by trial of preliminary issue and claimants exaggerated their claims but achieved some success, the appropriate order is no order for costs for the period between judgment and the open offer; claimants to pay defendant's costs from the time of the open offer.

Court Disposition

No order for costs for period between judgment and open offer; claimants to pay defendant's costs from time of open offer.

Orders

  • No order for costs between judgment and open offer.
  • Claimants to pay defendant's costs from time of open offer.