Abramovich v Harpercollins Publishers Ltd & Anor [2021] EWHC 3154 (QB) (24 November 2021)

Abramovich v Harpercollins Publishers Ltd & Anor [2021] EWHC 3154 (QB) (24 November 2021)

The ordinary reasonable reader would understand the book to mean the claimant is under the control of President Putin, acting at his direction, and complying with Kremlin requests to retain his wealth. The claimant's payments and actions, including the Petromed donation and Sibneft sale, are not alleged to be...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2021] EWHC 3154 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Roman Abramovich; Defendant: HarperCollins Publishers Limited; Defendant: Catherine Belton
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
24 November 2021
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Preliminary Issues Trial (meaning, Defamatory Nature, Fact/opinion)
Outcome
Determination of preliminary issues: meanings found, defamatory nature confirmed, fact/opinion identified. No final liability or damages adjudicated.
Legal Topics
Libel, Meaning of Defamatory Statements, Fact Vs Opinion, Chase Levels, Repetition Rule
Defamation Media Law Libel Meaning of Defamatory Statements Fact Vs Opinion Chase Levels Repetition Rule

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Roman Abramovich

Claimant

HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Defendant

Catherine Belton

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Preliminary Issues Trial (meaning, Defamatory Nature, Fact/opinion)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the statements complained of?
  2. 2 Are the statements defamatory of the claimant at common law?
  3. 3 Are the statements fact or opinion?

Ratio Decidendi

The ordinary reasonable reader would understand the book to mean the claimant is under the control of President Putin, acting at his direction, and complying with Kremlin requests to retain his wealth. The claimant's payments and actions, including the Petromed donation and Sibneft sale, are not alleged to be knowingly corrupt or part of a criminal enterprise, but rather compelled by the regime. Allegations regarding Chelsea FC and New York are understood as actions taken at Kremlin's behest to further Russian influence, not as corrupt acts. The statements are largely factual, with some elements of opinion, and are defamatory at common law as they tend to lower the claimant in the...

Court Disposition

Determination of preliminary issues: meanings found, defamatory nature confirmed, fact/opinion identified. No final liability or damages adjudicated.

Orders

  • Meanings of passages determined as set out in judgment.
  • Statements found to be defamatory at common law.