Thompson v James [2014] EWCA Civ 600 (14 May 2014)

Thompson v James [2014] EWCA Civ 600 (14 May 2014)

The natural and ordinary meaning of the appellant's blog posting was that Mr James was unlawfully and corruptly using public money for the benefit of himself and his cronies; this was defamatory of Mr James personally, not just the Council. The trial judge's finding on meaning was not wrong and the appeal is dismissed.

Citation
[2014] EWCA Civ 600
Parties
Appellant: Jacqueline Thompson; Respondent: Mark James
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 May 2014
Procedural Posture
Appeal (civil) / Court of Appeal Judgment on Appeal From High Court (queen's Bench Division)
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Libel, Meaning in Defamation, Honest Comment Defence, Freedom of Expression, Article 10 ECHR, Local Authority Powers, Indemnity for Officers
Defamation Media Law Local Government Law Human Rights Libel Meaning in Defamation Honest Comment Defence Freedom of Expression +3 more

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Parties

Jacqueline Thompson

Appellant

Mark James

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Appeal (civil) / Court of Appeal Judgment on Appeal From High Court (queen's Bench Division)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the meaning attributed to the appellant's blog posting by the trial judge was correct in law
  2. 2 Whether the words used were defamatory of the respondent personally or of the Council
  3. 3 Whether the defence of honest comment was available

Ratio Decidendi

The natural and ordinary meaning of the appellant's blog posting was that Mr James was unlawfully and corruptly using public money for the benefit of himself and his cronies; this was defamatory of Mr James personally, not just the Council. The trial judge's finding on meaning was not wrong and the appeal is dismissed.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed