Christopher Ness v Jennifer Miller

Christopher Ness v Jennifer Miller

The Claimant failed to show that the words complained of in the YouTube video referred to him, either on the pleaded case or on any expanded case. The Claimant also failed to show that the Defendant caused or procured the publication of the England Athletics emails. Assertions and inferences without evidence were insufficient to establish liability. Accordingly, the libel claim must be dismissed.

Parties
Claimant: Christopher Ness; Defendant: Jennifer Miller
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
15 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil Defamation/data Protection/false Imprisonment / Trial of Preliminary Issues
Outcome
Claim dismissed (libel claim)
Legal Topics
Libel, Publication, Reference to Claimant, Natural and Ordinary Meaning, Data Protection (uk Gdpr/dpa 2018), False Imprisonment
Defamation Data Protection Tort Libel Publication Reference to Claimant Natural and Ordinary Meaning Data Protection (uk Gdpr/dpa 2018) +1 more

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Parties

Christopher Ness

Claimant

Jennifer Miller

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Defamation/data Protection/false Imprisonment / Trial of Preliminary Issues

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the words complained of in the YouTube video and England Athletics emails referred to the Claimant
  2. 2 Whether the Defendant was the author or publisher of the England Athletics emails
  3. 3 The natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of

Ratio Decidendi

The Claimant failed to show that the words complained of in the YouTube video referred to him, either on the pleaded case or on any expanded case. The Claimant also failed to show that the Defendant caused or procured the publication of the England Athletics emails. Assertions and inferences without evidence were insufficient to establish liability. Accordingly, the libel claim must be dismissed.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed (libel claim)

Orders

  • The libel claim is dismissed.
  • Parties to make written submissions on costs, permission to appeal, and the impact of the findings on the Data Protection and false imprisonment claims.