Ann-Marie Janice Smith & Anor. v Pastor John Charles Surridge & Ors.

Ann-Marie Janice Smith & Anor. v Pastor John Charles Surridge & Ors.

The reference email bears a Chase level 1 meaning: during their employment at the School, each claimant did something that gave rise to a safeguarding issue, namely causing harm to a child or placing a child at risk of harm. This is defamatory at common law and is a statement of fact.

Parties
Claimant: Ann-Marie Janice Smith; Claimant: Kaydon Judydeen Jackson; Defendant: Pastor John Charles Surridge; Defendant: Pastor Ian Sweeney; Defendant: Pastor Emmaniel Osei; Defendant: Mr Kaz James
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 February 2023
Procedural Posture
Civil / Preliminary Issue Trial
Outcome
Determination of preliminary issues: the reference email is defamatory at common law and is a statement of fact.
Legal Topics
Libel, Misuse of Private Information, Negligent Misstatement, Natural and Ordinary Meaning, Chase Levels, Repetition Rule
Defamation Media Law Employment Law Libel Misuse of Private Information Negligent Misstatement Natural and Ordinary Meaning Chase Levels +1 more

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Parties

Ann-Marie Janice Smith

Claimant

Kaydon Judydeen Jackson

Claimant

Pastor John Charles Surridge

Defendant

Pastor Ian Sweeney

Defendant

Pastor Emmaniel Osei

Defendant

Mr Kaz James

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Preliminary Issue Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the reference email?
  2. 2 Is the meaning defamatory at common law?
  3. 3 Is the statement one of fact or opinion?

Ratio Decidendi

The reference email bears a Chase level 1 meaning: during their employment at the School, each claimant did something that gave rise to a safeguarding issue, namely causing harm to a child or placing a child at risk of harm. This is defamatory at common law and is a statement of fact.

Court Disposition

Determination of preliminary issues: the reference email is defamatory at common law and is a statement of fact.