Johnson v MGN Ltd [2009] EWHC 1481 (QB) (24 June 2009)

Johnson v MGN Ltd [2009] EWHC 1481 (QB) (24 June 2009)

The words complained of are capable of bearing both the natural and ordinary and the innuendo meanings pleaded, and it would be wrong to rule otherwise at this stage.

Citation
[2009] EWHC 1481
Parties
Claimant: Glen Johnson; Defendant: MGN Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
24 June 2009
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Application Under CPR 53, PD 4.1 to Determine Whether Words Complained of Are Capable of Bearing Pleaded Meanings
Outcome
Defendant's application rejected
Legal Topics
Libel, Defamatory Meaning, Innuendo, Premier League Rules
Defamation Libel Defamatory Meaning Innuendo Premier League Rules

Case Brief

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Parties

Glen Johnson

Claimant

MGN Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Application Under CPR 53, PD 4.1 to Determine Whether Words Complained of Are Capable of Bearing Pleaded Meanings

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Are the words complained of capable of bearing the natural and ordinary or innuendo meanings pleaded?
  2. 2 Can the article convey any defamatory meaning at all?

Ratio Decidendi

The words complained of are capable of bearing both the natural and ordinary and the innuendo meanings pleaded, and it would be wrong to rule otherwise at this stage.

Court Disposition

Defendant's application rejected

Orders

  • The case may proceed on both pleaded meanings; no meanings are struck out.