Williams v MGM Ltd

Williams v MGM Ltd

The claim is struck out because the words complained of are incapable of bearing a defamatory meaning as a matter of public policy, the claim constitutes an abuse of process as it does not serve the legitimate purpose of protecting the claimant’s reputation, and it is time-barred under the Limitation Act 1980.

Parties
Claimant: Peter Williams; Defendant: MGN Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
02 December 2009
Procedural Posture
Civil Defamation (libel) / Application to Strike Out Claim or for Summary Judgment
Outcome
Claim struck out
Legal Topics
Libel, Abuse of Process, Limitation Periods, Summary Judgment
Defamation Civil Procedure Libel Abuse of Process Limitation Periods Summary Judgment

Case Brief

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Parties

Peter Williams

Claimant

MGN Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Defamation (libel) / Application to Strike Out Claim or for Summary Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the words complained of are capable of bearing a defamatory meaning
  2. 2 Whether the claim is an abuse of process under the Jameel principle
  3. 3 Whether the claim is time-barred under the Limitation Act 1980

Ratio Decidendi

The claim is struck out because the words complained of are incapable of bearing a defamatory meaning as a matter of public policy, the claim constitutes an abuse of process as it does not serve the legitimate purpose of protecting the claimant’s reputation, and it is time-barred under the Limitation Act 1980.

Court Disposition

Claim struck out

Orders

  • Claim struck out under CPR 3.4