Charman v Orion Publishing Group Ltd & Ors [2005] EWHC 2187 (QB) (14 October 2005)

Charman v Orion Publishing Group Ltd & Ors [2005] EWHC 2187 (QB) (14 October 2005)

The book, in both hardback and paperback editions, does not impute actual guilt of corruption to Mr Charman but conveys that there are cogent grounds to suspect that he abused his position as a police officer by colluding with Brennan in substantial fraud and receiving corrupt payments totalling £50,000.

Citation
[2005] EWHC 2187
Parties
Claimant: Michael Charman; Defendant: Orion Publishing Group Limited; Defendant: Orion Books Limited; Defendant: Graeme McLagan
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
14 October 2005
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Trial of Preliminary Issue on Meaning
Outcome
Determination of meaning: the book conveys cogent grounds to suspect corruption, not actual guilt.
Legal Topics
Libel, Meaning of Defamatory Statements, Police Corruption Allegations, Interpretation of Publications
Defamation Media Law Libel Meaning of Defamatory Statements Police Corruption Allegations Interpretation of Publications

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 11 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Michael Charman

Claimant

Orion Publishing Group Limited

Defendant

Orion Books Limited

Defendant

Graeme McLagan

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Trial of Preliminary Issue on Meaning

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the defamatory meaning conveyed by the book 'Bent Coppers' in relation to Mr Charman?
  2. 2 Does the book impute actual guilt of corruption or a lesser defamatory meaning?

Ratio Decidendi

The book, in both hardback and paperback editions, does not impute actual guilt of corruption to Mr Charman but conveys that there are cogent grounds to suspect that he abused his position as a police officer by colluding with Brennan in substantial fraud and receiving corrupt payments totalling £50,000.

Court Disposition

Determination of meaning: the book conveys cogent grounds to suspect corruption, not actual guilt.

Orders

  • Parties to consider their respective positions in light of this ruling.