Alexander-Theodotou & Ors v Kounis (Rev 1) [2019] EWHC 956 (QB) (16 April 2019)

Alexander-Theodotou & Ors v Kounis (Rev 1) [2019] EWHC 956 (QB) (16 April 2019)

The Facebook Post referred to the claimants only to a limited group who already held adverse views; no evidence established serious harm to reputation or serious financial loss; the libel claim and amendment application were dismissed as lacking evidential basis and prospects of success.

Citation
[2019] EWHC 956 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Dr Katherine Alexander-Theodotou; Claimant: Highgate Hill Solicitors (A Firm); Claimant: K Alexandrou Theodotou LLC; Defendant: Georgios Kounis
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 April 2019
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Judgment on Strike Out Application, Preliminary Issues, and Amendment Application
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Libel, Serious Harm, Reference Innuendo, Amendment of Pleadings, Strike Out, Inducement of Breach of Contract
Defamation Media Law Civil Procedure Libel Serious Harm Reference Innuendo Amendment of Pleadings Strike Out +1 more

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Parties

Dr Katherine Alexander-Theodotou

Claimant

Highgate Hill Solicitors (A Firm)

Claimant

K Alexandrou Theodotou LLC

Claimant

Georgios Kounis

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Judgment on Strike Out Application, Preliminary Issues, and Amendment Application

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Facebook Post referred to the claimants
  2. 2 Whether the Facebook Post conveyed defamatory meaning
  3. 3 Whether publication caused or was likely to cause serious harm to reputation under s 1 Defamation Act 2013

Ratio Decidendi

The Facebook Post referred to the claimants only to a limited group who already held adverse views; no evidence established serious harm to reputation or serious financial loss; the libel claim and amendment application were dismissed as lacking evidential basis and prospects of success.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed

Orders

  • Strike-Out application granted in entirety
  • Permission to amend claim form and Particulars of Claim refused