Simon Blake & Anor v Laurence Fox

Simon Blake & Anor v Laurence Fox

The gravity of the libel, its mass publication, the claimants' particular vulnerability, and the absence of unequivocal apology or retraction justified a substantial compensatory award of £90,000 each. The risk of repetition by the defendant, evidenced by his conduct and lack of undertakings, made an injunction necessary and proportionate. Compulsory publication of a summary was not necessary or proportionate given the wide public knowledge of the outcome and risk of further humiliation.

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; damages and injunction granted; publication order refused.
Legal Topics
Libel Damages, Injunctive Relief, Publication of Judgment Summary, Vindication of Reputation
Defamation Tort Law Media Law Libel Damages Injunctive Relief Publication of Judgment Summary Vindication of Reputation

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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 Appropriate 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 gravity of the libel, its mass publication, the claimants' particular vulnerability, and the absence of unequivocal apology or retraction justified a substantial compensatory award of £90,000 each. The risk of repetition by the defendant, evidenced by his conduct and lack of undertakings, made an injunction necessary and proportionate. Compulsory publication of a summary was not necessary or proportionate given the wide public knowledge of the outcome and risk of further humiliation.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the claimants on remedies; damages and injunction granted; publication order refused.

Orders

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