Monroe v Hopkins [2017] EWHC 433 (QB) (10 March 2017)

Monroe v Hopkins [2017] EWHC 433 (QB) (10 March 2017)

The tweets bore the meaning that Monroe condoned and approved of vandalising war memorials, which is defamatory by common law standards. The publication was substantial and the serious harm requirement under s 1 Defamation Act 2013 was satisfied.

Citation
[2017] EWHC 433
Parties
Claimant: Jack Monroe; Defendant: Katie Hopkins
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 March 2017
Procedural Posture
Libel Claim / High Court Trial, Judgment
Outcome
Claimant succeeds; judgment for the claimant.
Legal Topics
Libel, Social Media Defamation, Serious Harm Requirement, Defamation Act 2013, Publication on Twitter
Defamation Media Law Libel Social Media Defamation Serious Harm Requirement Defamation Act 2013 Publication on Twitter

Case Brief

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Parties

Jack Monroe

Claimant

Katie Hopkins

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Claim / High Court Trial, Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What meanings were borne by the tweets?
  2. 2 Whether those meanings had a defamatory tendency?
  3. 3 Whether it has been proved that the serious harm requirement is met under s 1 Defamation Act 2013?

Ratio Decidendi

The tweets bore the meaning that Monroe condoned and approved of vandalising war memorials, which is defamatory by common law standards. The publication was substantial and the serious harm requirement under s 1 Defamation Act 2013 was satisfied.

Court Disposition

Claimant succeeds; judgment for the claimant.

Orders

  • Defendant to pay damages to the claimant.
  • Defendant to pay claimant's legal costs.