Wright v Granath [2022] EWHC 1181 (QB) (17 May 2022)

Wright v Granath [2022] EWHC 1181 (QB) (17 May 2022)

The defendant has not established that the claimant has no real prospect of success in proving serious harm; the evidence on publication and impact is incomplete and disputed, and issues of fact require determination at trial. Summary judgment is refused.

Citation
[2022] EWHC 1181
Parties
Claimant: Dr Craig Steven Wright; Defendant: Magnus Granath
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
17 May 2022
Procedural Posture
Libel Claim (defamation) / Summary Judgment Application by Defendant
Outcome
Defendant's application for summary judgment refused; claim to proceed to trial.
Legal Topics
Serious Harm Threshold, Summary Judgment, Publication on Social Media, Bad Reputation Evidence, Causation of Reputational Harm
Defamation Media Law Civil Procedure Serious Harm Threshold Summary Judgment Publication on Social Media Bad Reputation Evidence Causation of Reputational Harm

Case Brief

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Parties

Dr Craig Steven Wright

Claimant

Magnus Granath

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Claim (defamation) / Summary Judgment Application by Defendant

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the claimant has a real prospect of establishing that the Tweet caused or is likely to cause serious harm to his reputation under s.1(1) Defamation Act 2013
  2. 2 Whether the claim should be summarily dismissed under CPR 24.2

Ratio Decidendi

The defendant has not established that the claimant has no real prospect of success in proving serious harm; the evidence on publication and impact is incomplete and disputed, and issues of fact require determination at trial. Summary judgment is refused.

Court Disposition

Defendant's application for summary judgment refused; claim to proceed to trial.

Orders

  • Defendant to provide disclosure and inspection of full Twitter data in his possession and control.
  • Parties to cooperate in presenting publication data fairly for trial.