Wright v Ver

Wright v Ver

The Claimant failed to demonstrate, by evidence of publication and harm to reputation, that England and Wales is clearly the most appropriate place to bring the libel action; the majority of publication occurred in the US, the Claimant's reputation is global, and there is no evidence of specific harm in England and...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Claimant: Craig Wright; Defendant: Roger Ver
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
31 July 2019
Procedural Posture
Libel / Jurisdictional Challenge and Strike Out
Outcome
Action struck out for want of jurisdiction under s.9 Defamation Act 2013.
Legal Topics
Jurisdiction, Libel Tourism, Internet Publication, Forum Non Conveniens
Defamation Civil Procedure Jurisdiction Libel Tourism Internet Publication Forum Non Conveniens

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Craig Wright

Claimant

Roger Ver

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Jurisdictional Challenge and Strike Out

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the English court has jurisdiction under s.9 Defamation Act 2013 over a libel claim against a non-UK domiciled defendant
  2. 2 Whether England and Wales is clearly the most appropriate place to bring the action

Ratio Decidendi

The Claimant failed to demonstrate, by evidence of publication and harm to reputation, that England and Wales is clearly the most appropriate place to bring the libel action; the majority of publication occurred in the US, the Claimant's reputation is global, and there is no evidence of specific harm in England and Wales. Therefore, the court has no jurisdiction under s.9 Defamation Act 2013 and the action must be struck out.

Court Disposition

Action struck out for want of jurisdiction under s.9 Defamation Act 2013.

Orders

  • Claim struck out.
  • Set-Aside Application refused (would have been refused if required).