Blake & Anor v Fox [2024] EWHC 956 (KB) (25 April 2024)

Blake & Anor v Fox [2024] EWHC 956 (KB) (25 April 2024)

The libels were exceptionally grave, widely published, and caused serious reputational and personal harm to the claimants. The defendant's conduct, lack of unequivocal apology, and ongoing risk of repetition justified substantial compensatory damages and an injunction. Compulsory publication was not necessary or proportionate given the extensive public coverage and risk of further harm.

Citation
[2024] EWHC 956 (KB)
Parties
Claimant: Mr Simon Blake; Claimant: Mr Colin Seymour; Defendant: Mr Laurence Fox
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
25 April 2024
Procedural Posture
Defamation (libel) Claim / Remedies Judgment Following Liability Judgment
Outcome
Judgment for the claimants on remedies.
Legal Topics
Libel Damages, Injunctive Relief, Publication of Judgment Summary, Vindication, Freedom of Expression, Aggravated Damages
Defamation Tort Media Law Libel Damages Injunctive Relief Publication of Judgment Summary Vindication Freedom of Expression +1 more

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Parties

Mr Simon Blake

Claimant

Mr Colin Seymour

Claimant

Mr Laurence Fox

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation (libel) Claim / Remedies Judgment Following Liability Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Assessment of quantum of damages for libel
  2. 2 Whether to grant injunctive relief restraining repetition of libel
  3. 3 Whether to order publication of a summary of the judgment

Ratio Decidendi

The libels were exceptionally grave, widely published, and caused serious reputational and personal harm to the claimants. The defendant's conduct, lack of unequivocal apology, and ongoing risk of repetition justified substantial compensatory damages and an injunction. Compulsory publication was not necessary or proportionate given the extensive public coverage and risk of further harm.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the claimants on remedies.

Orders

  • Defendant to pay £90,000 in damages to each claimant.
  • Defendant restrained by injunction from repeating the same or similar defamatory allegations about the claimants.