Reachlocal UK Ltd & Anor v Bennett & Ors [2014] EWHC 3405 (QB) (21 October 2014)

Reachlocal UK Ltd & Anor v Bennett & Ors [2014] EWHC 3405 (QB) (21 October 2014)

The defendants orchestrated a sustained campaign of defamatory communications targeting the claimants' customers, causing substantial loss of business and reputation. Default judgment entitles claimants to damages and injunctive relief. Special damages are awarded for lost profit from cancelled contracts, discounted for non-defamatory reasons. General damages are awarded for reputational harm and vindication. Nominal damages are awarded to the non-trading claimant.

Citation
[2014] EWHC 3405 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: ReachLocal UK Limited; Claimant: ReachLocal Europe B.V.; Defendant: Jamie Bennett; Defendant: Craig Anderson; Defendant: Hardeep Singh Khabra; Defendant: Tracey Vennard; Defendant: Your Online Digital Agency Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
21 October 2014
Procedural Posture
Defamation, Breach of Contract, Breach of Confidence / Assessment of Damages and Final Relief After Default Judgment
Outcome
Judgment for claimants. Damages assessed. Final injunctions granted.
Legal Topics
Libel, Slander, Breach of Contract, Breach of Confidence, Damages, Injunction, Mitigation, Corporate Reputation
Defamation Contract Confidence Tort Libel Slander Breach of Contract Breach of Confidence +4 more

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Parties

ReachLocal UK Limited

Claimant

ReachLocal Europe B.V.

Claimant

Jamie Bennett

Defendant

Craig Anderson

Defendant

Hardeep Singh Khabra

Defendant

Tracey Vennard

Defendant

Your Online Digital Agency Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation, Breach of Contract, Breach of Confidence / Assessment of Damages and Final Relief After Default Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the defendants published defamatory statements about the claimants
  2. 2 Whether the defendants breached contract and confidence by soliciting customers and using confidential information
  3. 3 Assessment of damages for defamation

Ratio Decidendi

The defendants orchestrated a sustained campaign of defamatory communications targeting the claimants' customers, causing substantial loss of business and reputation. Default judgment entitles claimants to damages and injunctive relief. Special damages are awarded for lost profit from cancelled contracts, discounted for non-defamatory reasons. General damages are awarded for reputational harm and vindication. Nominal damages are awarded to the non-trading claimant.

Court Disposition

Judgment for claimants. Damages assessed. Final injunctions granted.

Orders

  • First claimant awarded £241,945.42 special damages for lost profit from cancelled contracts
  • First claimant awarded £60,728 for credits to customers as mitigation