Blake & Ors v Fox [2023] EWHC 3351 (KB) (21 February 2023)

The requests for further information were unnecessary because the natural and ordinary meaning of 'racist' had already been determined by the court at the preliminary issue trial, the parties' cases were sufficiently pleaded, and the requirements of CPR Part 18 and the Practice Direction were not met.

Citation: [2023] EWHC 3351 (KB)
Parties: Claimants: Blake & Ors; Defendant: Fox
Jurisdiction: England and Wales
Judgment Date: 21 February 2023
Procedural Posture: Defamation / Costs and Case Management Conference; Determination of Defendant's Application for Further Information
Outcome: Application dismissed
Legal Topics: Requests for Further Information, Meaning in Defamation, Honest Opinion Defence, Truth Defence, Practice Direction CPR Part 18

Media Law Defamation Requests for Further Information Meaning in Defamation Honest Opinion Defence Truth Defence Practice Direction CPR Part 18

Case Brief

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Parties

Blake & Ors

Claimants

Fox

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation / Costs and Case Management Conference; Determination of Defendant's Application for Further Information

Legal Issues

1 Whether claimants should be required to provide further information regarding the meaning of 'racist' and related particulars in their defence to counterclaim
2 Whether the requests for further information are necessary and proportionate under CPR Part 18

Ratio Decidendi

Court Disposition

Application dismissed

Orders

Defendant's application for further information (requests 17 to 23) is dismissed.