Smart Shirts Limited v Sheffield Hallam University

Smart Shirts Limited v Sheffield Hallam University

Both the email and report bear a Chase level 2 meaning: there are reasonable grounds to suspect Smart Shirts is involved, directly or indirectly, in sourcing materials tainted by forced labour from XUAR. Both publications are defamatory at common law.

Parties
Claimant: Smart Shirts Limited; Defendant: Sheffield Hallam University
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
20 January 2025
Procedural Posture
Libel / Preliminary Issues Trial on Meaning
Outcome
Both publications found to bear defamatory meanings at Chase level 2.
Legal Topics
Libel, Defamatory Meaning, Chase Levels, Supply Chain Liability, Forced Labour, Uyghur Region, Corporate Responsibility
Defamation Media Law Human Rights Libel Defamatory Meaning Chase Levels Supply Chain Liability Forced Labour +2 more

Case Brief

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Parties

Smart Shirts Limited

Claimant

Sheffield Hallam University

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Preliminary Issues Trial on Meaning

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the email and report published by the Defendant?
  2. 2 Are the meanings defamatory at common law?
  3. 3 What Chase level applies to the publications?

Ratio Decidendi

Both the email and report bear a Chase level 2 meaning: there are reasonable grounds to suspect Smart Shirts is involved, directly or indirectly, in sourcing materials tainted by forced labour from XUAR. Both publications are defamatory at common law.

Court Disposition

Both publications found to bear defamatory meanings at Chase level 2.

Orders

  • Costs in the case.