Rachel Riley v Mike Sivier

Rachel Riley v Mike Sivier

The Article published by the defendant made grave and false allegations of fact and opinion about the claimant, which caused serious harm to her reputation. The defendant failed to establish a reasonable belief that publication was in the public interest, having not conducted reasonable inquiries or given the claimant an opportunity to comment. The public interest defence failed. The claimant is entitled to damages and an injunction.

Parties
Claimant: Rachel Riley; Defendant: Mike Sivier
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
16 November 2022
Procedural Posture
Defamation Claim / Judgment After Trial
Outcome
Claim allowed for the claimant.
Legal Topics
Libel, Serious Harm, Public Interest Defence, Aggravated Damages, Injunctions
Defamation Media Law Libel Serious Harm Public Interest Defence Aggravated Damages Injunctions

Case Brief

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Parties

Rachel Riley

Claimant

Mike Sivier

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation Claim / Judgment After Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Article published by the defendant caused or is likely to cause serious harm to the claimant’s reputation under s.1 Defamation Act 2013
  2. 2 Whether the defendant established a public interest defence under s.4 Defamation Act 2013
  3. 3 What sum should be awarded in damages if liability is established

Ratio Decidendi

The Article published by the defendant made grave and false allegations of fact and opinion about the claimant, which caused serious harm to her reputation. The defendant failed to establish a reasonable belief that publication was in the public interest, having not conducted reasonable inquiries or given the claimant an opportunity to comment. The public interest defence failed. The claimant is entitled to damages and an injunction.

Court Disposition

Claim allowed for the claimant.

Orders

  • Defendant to pay damages of £50,000 to the claimant.
  • Injunction granted restraining further publication of the defamatory words or similar words.