Ecclestone v Telegraph Media Group Ltd [2009] EWHC 2779 (QB) (06 November 2009)

Ecclestone v Telegraph Media Group Ltd [2009] EWHC 2779 (QB) (06 November 2009)

The words complained of, in their context, are not capable of lowering the Claimant in the estimation of right-thinking members of society generally and thus are not capable of being defamatory.

Citation
[2009] EWHC 2779 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Petra Ecclestone; Defendant: Telegraph Media Group Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
06 November 2009
Procedural Posture
Libel/defamation / Application to Determine If Words Are Capable of Being Defamatory (cpr 53 PD 4.1(2))
Outcome
Claim struck out; words not capable of being defamatory.
Legal Topics
Defamation, Meaning of Defamatory Words, Threshold for Striking Out, Freedom of Expression
Media Law Defamation Meaning of Defamatory Words Threshold for Striking Out Freedom of Expression

Case Brief

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Parties

Petra Ecclestone

Claimant

Telegraph Media Group Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel/defamation / Application to Determine If Words Are Capable of Being Defamatory (cpr 53 PD 4.1(2))

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the words complained of are capable of being defamatory of the Claimant
  2. 2 Application of the threshold test for defamatory meaning

Ratio Decidendi

The words complained of, in their context, are not capable of lowering the Claimant in the estimation of right-thinking members of society generally and thus are not capable of being defamatory.

Court Disposition

Claim struck out; words not capable of being defamatory.

Orders

  • Action struck out.