Burleigh v Telegraph Media Group Ltd [2020] EWHC 2359 (QB) (02 September 2020)

Burleigh v Telegraph Media Group Ltd [2020] EWHC 2359 (QB) (02 September 2020)

The Apology does not allege or imply any culpable failure, want of skill, or care on the part of the Claimant. The corrections are trivial or insubstantial, and there is no attribution of fault or blame. The hypothetical reader would not reasonably infer that the Claimant was negligent or malicious. Therefore, the Apology is not defamatory of the Claimant at common law.

Citation
[2020] EWHC 2359
Parties
Claimant: Nina Burleigh; Defendant: Telegraph Media Group Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
02 September 2020
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Preliminary Issues Trial (meaning and Defamatory Tendency at Common Law)
Outcome
Claim dismissed (provisional judgment for Defendant)
Legal Topics
Libel, Defamatory Meaning, Apology, Journalistic Standards, Damages
Defamation Media Law Libel Defamatory Meaning Apology Journalistic Standards Damages

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Parties

Nina Burleigh

Claimant

Telegraph Media Group Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Preliminary Issues Trial (meaning and Defamatory Tendency at Common Law)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the Apology in respect of the Claimant?
  2. 2 Is that meaning defamatory of the Claimant at common law?

Ratio Decidendi

The Apology does not allege or imply any culpable failure, want of skill, or care on the part of the Claimant. The corrections are trivial or insubstantial, and there is no attribution of fault or blame. The hypothetical reader would not reasonably infer that the Claimant was negligent or malicious. Therefore, the Apology is not defamatory of the Claimant at common law.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed (provisional judgment for Defendant)