Riley v Murray [2021] EWHC 3437 (QB) (20 December 2021)

Riley v Murray [2021] EWHC 3437 (QB) (20 December 2021)

The Claimant demonstrated, as a fact, that the harm caused to her reputation by publication of the Defendant’s Tweet was serious, satisfying s.1 Defamation Act 2013. The Defendant failed to prove the substantial truth of the Factual Allegation that the Claimant had publicly stated Jeremy Corbyn deserved to be violently attacked. The Defendant’s Tweet was not protected as honest opinion or as a publication on a matter of public interest. The Claimant succeeded on liability.

Citation
[2021] EWHC 3437 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Rachel Riley; Defendant: Laura Murray
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 December 2021
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Post Trial Judgment
Outcome
Claimant succeeds on liability; Defendant found liable for libel.
Legal Topics
Libel, Serious Harm, Truth Defence, Honest Opinion, Public Interest, Qualified Privilege
Defamation Media Law Libel Serious Harm Truth Defence Honest Opinion Public Interest Qualified Privilege

Case Brief

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Parties

Rachel Riley

Claimant

Laura Murray

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Post Trial Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Defendant's Tweet caused or was likely to cause serious harm to the Claimant's reputation under s.1 Defamation Act 2013
  2. 2 Whether the Factual Allegation was substantially true under s.2 Defamation Act 2013
  3. 3 Whether the Opinion was protected as honest opinion under s.3 Defamation Act 2013

Ratio Decidendi

The Claimant demonstrated, as a fact, that the harm caused to her reputation by publication of the Defendant’s Tweet was serious, satisfying s.1 Defamation Act 2013. The Defendant failed to prove the substantial truth of the Factual Allegation that the Claimant had publicly stated Jeremy Corbyn deserved to be violently attacked. The Defendant’s Tweet was not protected as honest opinion or as a publication on a matter of public interest. The Claimant succeeded on liability.

Court Disposition

Claimant succeeds on liability; Defendant found liable for libel.

Orders

  • Damages awarded to Claimant
  • Defendant ordered to pay Claimant's costs