Haji-Ioannou v Telegraph Media Group Ltd & Anor [2020] EWHC 2922 (QB) (02 November 2020)
The article, in its natural and ordinary meaning, was an expression of opinion and satire, not a statement of fact or a defamatory imputation; the ordinary reasonable reader would not think substantially less of the claimant as a result.
- Citation
- [2020] EWHC 2922
- Parties
- Claimant: Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou; Defendant: Telegraph Media Group Limited; Defendant: Ben Marlow
- Jurisdiction
- England and Wales
- Judgment Date
- 02 November 2020
- Procedural Posture
- Libel and Data Protection Action / Preliminary Issues Trial on Meaning, Defamatory Tendency, and Fact/opinion
- Outcome
- Claim dismissed on preliminary issues; words not defamatory at common law.
- Legal Topics
- Libel, Natural and Ordinary Meaning, Defamatory Tendency, Fact Vs Opinion, Satire in Media
Case Brief
Summary, issues, holding and outcome
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Parties
Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou
Claimant
Telegraph Media Group Limited
Defendant
Ben Marlow
Defendant
Procedural Posture
Libel and Data Protection Action / Preliminary Issues Trial on Meaning, Defamatory Tendency, and Fact/opinion
Legal Issues
- 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of?
- 2 Are the words defamatory at common law?
- 3 Are the words statements of fact or opinion?
Ratio Decidendi
The article, in its natural and ordinary meaning, was an expression of opinion and satire, not a statement of fact or a defamatory imputation; the ordinary reasonable reader would not think substantially less of the claimant as a result.
Court Disposition
Claim dismissed on preliminary issues; words not defamatory at common law.
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