JOHN WARE v PADDY FRENCH

JOHN WARE v PADDY FRENCH

The defendant's article was seriously defamatory of the claimant, published widely and intentionally to those affecting his livelihood, causing or likely to cause serious harm. Defendant's conduct aggravated the harm. Remedies including substantial damages, summary publication, and permanent injunction are warranted.

Parties
Claimant: John Ware; Defendant: Paddy French
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
30 November 2022
Procedural Posture
Libel / Final Judgment After Trial in Defendant's Absence
Outcome
Judgment for the claimant
Legal Topics
Libel, Serious Harm, Aggravated Damages, Summary Judgment, Permanent Injunction
Defamation Media Law Libel Serious Harm Aggravated Damages Summary Judgment Permanent Injunction

Case Brief

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Parties

John Ware

Claimant

Paddy French

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Final Judgment After Trial in Defendant's Absence

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the article published by the defendant was defamatory at common law
  2. 2 Whether publication caused or was likely to cause serious harm to the claimant's reputation under s 1 Defamation Act 2013
  3. 3 Appropriate remedies including damages, summary judgment publication, and injunction

Ratio Decidendi

The defendant's article was seriously defamatory of the claimant, published widely and intentionally to those affecting his livelihood, causing or likely to cause serious harm. Defendant's conduct aggravated the harm. Remedies including substantial damages, summary publication, and permanent injunction are warranted.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the claimant

Orders

  • Defendant to pay £90,000 in damages
  • Defendant to publish a summary of the judgment under s 12 Defamation Act 2013