Smart Shirts Limited v Sheffield Hallam University

Smart Shirts Limited v Sheffield Hallam University

The natural and ordinary meaning of the E-Mail is that there are grounds to investigate whether the Claimant knew or should have known it was sourcing raw materials or supplies that were the product of forced labour from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The natural and ordinary meaning of the Report is that the Claimant was a key part in a supply chain of materials and there were grounds to investigate whether it knew or should have known that those materials were the product of forced labour from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Both meanings are defamatory of the Claimant at common law.

Parties
Claimant: Smart Shirts Limited; Defendant: Sheffield Hallam University
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
06 April 2025
Procedural Posture
Libel / Retrial of Preliminary Issues as to Meaning
Outcome
Preliminary issues determined; meanings found as stated; both publications held defamatory of the Claimant at common law.
Legal Topics
Libel, Natural and Ordinary Meaning, Defamatory Statements, Supply Chain Transparency, Forced Labour, Corporate Responsibility
Defamation Media Law Libel Natural and Ordinary Meaning Defamatory Statements Supply Chain Transparency Forced Labour Corporate Responsibility

Case Brief

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Parties

Smart Shirts Limited

Claimant

Sheffield Hallam University

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Retrial of Preliminary Issues as to Meaning

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of in the E-Mail and the Report?
  2. 2 Are the words complained of defamatory of the Claimant at common law?

Ratio Decidendi

The natural and ordinary meaning of the E-Mail is that there are grounds to investigate whether the Claimant knew or should have known it was sourcing raw materials or supplies that were the product of forced labour from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The natural and ordinary meaning of the Report is that the Claimant was a key part in a supply chain of materials and there were grounds to investigate whether it knew or should have known that those materials were the product of forced labour from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Both meanings are defamatory of the Claimant at common law.

Court Disposition

Preliminary issues determined; meanings found as stated; both publications held defamatory of the Claimant at common law.

Orders

  • The parties to amend their statements of case as required consequent on the Court’s decision.
  • Annex A excluded from consideration for determining meaning.