Rachel Riley v Laura Murray

Rachel Riley v Laura Murray

The Defendant's Tweet caused serious harm to the Claimant's reputation, was not substantially true, was not protected as honest opinion because the factual premise was not proved, and was not protected as a publication on a matter of public interest because the Defendant misrepresented the Claimant's words and failed to provide the necessary context. The Claimant is entitled to damages.

Parties
Claimant: Rachel Riley; Defendant: Laura Murray
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 December 2021
Procedural Posture
Defamation (libel) / Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Judgment for the Claimant
Legal Topics
Libel, Serious Harm, Truth Defence, Honest Opinion, Public Interest Defence, Damages
Defamation Media Law Libel Serious Harm Truth Defence Honest Opinion Public Interest Defence Damages

Case Brief

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Parties

Rachel Riley

Claimant

Laura Murray

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation (libel) / Judgment After Trial

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 Defendant's Tweet was substantially true under s.2 Defamation Act 2013
  3. 3 Whether the Defendant's Tweet was protected as honest opinion under s.3 Defamation Act 2013

Ratio Decidendi

The Defendant's Tweet caused serious harm to the Claimant's reputation, was not substantially true, was not protected as honest opinion because the factual premise was not proved, and was not protected as a publication on a matter of public interest because the Defendant misrepresented the Claimant's words and failed to provide the necessary context. The Claimant is entitled to damages.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the Claimant

Orders

  • The Defendant shall pay the Claimant £10,000 in damages.