Stephanie Hayden v Family Education Trust

Stephanie Hayden v Family Education Trust

The Claimant failed to provide any evidence that the publication of the Tweet caused or was likely to cause serious harm to her reputation. Her case was entirely inferential and devoid of reality, even making assumptions in her favour. There was no real prospect of satisfying the requirements of section 1 of the Defamation Act 2013. Summary judgment was granted to the Defendant.

Parties
Claimant: Stephanie Hayden; Defendant: Family Education Trust
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
24 March 2023
Procedural Posture
Civil Defamation / Summary Judgment/strike Out Application
Outcome
Claim dismissed (summary judgment for Defendant)
Legal Topics
Libel, Serious Harm to Reputation, Reference/identification, Jameel Abuse of Process, Summary Judgment, Striking Out
Defamation Media Law Libel Serious Harm to Reputation Reference/identification Jameel Abuse of Process Summary Judgment Striking Out

Case Brief

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Parties

Stephanie Hayden

Claimant

Family Education Trust

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Defamation / Summary Judgment/strike Out Application

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Tweet referred to the Claimant (reference/identification)
  2. 2 Whether the publication of the Tweet caused or was likely to cause serious harm to the Claimant's reputation under s.1 Defamation Act 2013
  3. 3 Whether the claim should be struck out as a Jameel abuse of process

Ratio Decidendi

The Claimant failed to provide any evidence that the publication of the Tweet caused or was likely to cause serious harm to her reputation. Her case was entirely inferential and devoid of reality, even making assumptions in her favour. There was no real prospect of satisfying the requirements of section 1 of the Defamation Act 2013. Summary judgment was granted to the Defendant.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed (summary judgment for Defendant)

Orders

  • Summary judgment granted to Defendant
  • Claim dismissed