TWH Legal Services Limited T/A B&L Solicitors & Anor v Shanaz Niazi & Anor

TWH Legal Services Limited T/A B&L Solicitors & Anor v Shanaz Niazi & Anor

The reviews contain a mixture of statements of fact and opinion. The factual allegations (dishonest acquisition of will banks, lying, incompetence) are defamatory at common law of the Second Claimant. The opinions (dishonest and unscrupulous, fraudster, unfit to practise) are based on the indicated factual allegations and are not bare comment. The reviews are not defamatory of the Company. The libel claim may proceed only as between the Second Claimant and the First Defendant.

Parties
Claimant: TWH Legal Services Limited t/a B&L Solicitors; Claimant: Elaine Liddle; Defendant: Shanaz Niazi; Defendant: Elizabeth Radcliffe
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
27 March 2026
Procedural Posture
Defamation (libel) Preliminary Issues / Judgment on Preliminary Issues (meaning, Defamatory Tendency, Fact/opinion, Basis of Opinion)
Outcome
The reviews are defamatory at common law of the Second Claimant but not of the Company. The libel claim may proceed only as between the Second Claimant and the First Defendant.
Legal Topics
Libel, Defamatory Meaning, Fact Vs Opinion, Honest Opinion Defence, Professional Reputation
Defamation Media Law Libel Defamatory Meaning Fact Vs Opinion Honest Opinion Defence Professional Reputation

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Parties

TWH Legal Services Limited t/a B&L Solicitors

Claimant

Elaine Liddle

Claimant

Shanaz Niazi

Defendant

Elizabeth Radcliffe

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Defamation (libel) Preliminary Issues / Judgment on Preliminary Issues (meaning, Defamatory Tendency, Fact/opinion, Basis of Opinion)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the three reviews?
  2. 2 Are the meanings defamatory of the Claimants at common law?
  3. 3 Are the statements fact or opinion?

Ratio Decidendi

The reviews contain a mixture of statements of fact and opinion. The factual allegations (dishonest acquisition of will banks, lying, incompetence) are defamatory at common law of the Second Claimant. The opinions (dishonest and unscrupulous, fraudster, unfit to practise) are based on the indicated factual allegations and are not bare comment. The reviews are not defamatory of the Company. The libel claim may proceed only as between the Second Claimant and the First Defendant.

Court Disposition

The reviews are defamatory at common law of the Second Claimant but not of the Company. The libel claim may proceed only as between the Second Claimant and the First Defendant.

Orders

  • The libel claim of the Company is dismissed.
  • The libel claim of the Second Claimant against the First Defendant may proceed.