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 convey that Mr Charman is guilty of corruption but does convey 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.

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2005] EWHC 2187 (QB)
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, Levels of Defamatory Meaning
Defamation Media Law Libel Meaning of Defamatory Statements Police Corruption Allegations Interpretation of Publications Levels of Defamatory Meaning

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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' regarding 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 convey that Mr Charman is guilty of corruption but does convey 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

  • The preliminary issue is determined in accordance with the judgment's finding on meaning.