Ronaldo v Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd

Ronaldo v Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd

The actions should be tried separately due to significant differences in the articles and defences, and to avoid prejudice to the Telegraph. The withdrawal of the Telegraph's fair comment defence was a legitimate response to the Claimant's amendment of meaning, not warranting an adverse costs order.

Parties
Claimant: Cristiano Ronaldo; Defendant: Mirror Group Newspapers Limited; Defendant: Telegraph Media Group Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 October 2009
Procedural Posture
Civil Defamation (libel) / Pre Trial Review and Interlocutory Applications
Outcome
The actions will be tried separately; the Telegraph is not ordered to pay costs for abandoning the fair comment defence except as agreed for qualified privilege.
Legal Topics
Libel, Justification, Fair Comment, Aggravated Damages, Case Management, Costs Orders
Defamation Media Law Civil Procedure Libel Justification Fair Comment Aggravated Damages Case Management +1 more

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Parties

Cristiano Ronaldo

Claimant

Mirror Group Newspapers Limited

Defendant

Telegraph Media Group Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Defamation (libel) / Pre Trial Review and Interlocutory Applications

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the two libel actions should be tried together or separately
  2. 2 Whether the Telegraph should pay costs for abandoning the defence of fair comment

Ratio Decidendi

The actions should be tried separately due to significant differences in the articles and defences, and to avoid prejudice to the Telegraph. The withdrawal of the Telegraph's fair comment defence was a legitimate response to the Claimant's amendment of meaning, not warranting an adverse costs order.

Court Disposition

The actions will be tried separately; the Telegraph is not ordered to pay costs for abandoning the fair comment defence except as agreed for qualified privilege.

Orders

  • The trial of the Telegraph action shall follow that of the Mirror action.
  • Draft orders as per Mr. Price's skeleton argument (with supplementary disclosure) are approved.