Mengi v Hermitage [2012] EWHC 3445 (QB) (30 November 2012)

Mengi v Hermitage [2012] EWHC 3445 (QB) (30 November 2012)

The Defendant's statements that the Claimant lied about stopping defamatory publications were substantially true or constituted honest opinion based on facts. The Claimant did not prove malice. The claim for defamation fails.

Citation
[2012] EWHC 3445
Parties
Claimant: Reginald Mengi; Defendant: Sarah Hermitage
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
30 November 2012
Procedural Posture
Defamation / High Court Trial, Judgment
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Libel, Reputation, Publication on Internet, Defences to Defamation, Truth, Malice
Defamation Media Law Tort Libel Reputation Publication on Internet Defences to Defamation Truth +1 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Reginald Mengi

Claimant

Sarah Hermitage

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation / High Court Trial, Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Defendant's website articles defamed the Claimant
  2. 2 Whether the Defendant's statements that the Claimant lied about stopping defamatory publications were true or malicious
  3. 3 Whether the Claimant was responsible for the defamatory publications in his media outlets

Ratio Decidendi

The Defendant's statements that the Claimant lied about stopping defamatory publications were substantially true or constituted honest opinion based on facts. The Claimant did not prove malice. The claim for defamation fails.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed

Orders

  • Claim for defamation dismissed
  • No damages awarded to Claimant