Koutsogiannis v The Random House Group Ltd [2019] EWHC 48 (QB) (18 January 2019)

Koutsogiannis v The Random House Group Ltd [2019] EWHC 48 (QB) (18 January 2019)

The book bears the meaning that the Claimant was involved in a network of collusive behaviour, whereby he, along with many other traders, brokers and bank employees all over the world, deliberately tried to manipulate the Libor rate to the benefit of his own or his employers' trading positions but to the potential detriment of a very large number of people and entities including those who paid more than they should have done for financial products or services linked to the Libor rate. This meaning is factual and not an expression of opinion.

Citation
[2019] EWHC 48 (QB)
Parties
Claimant: Panagiotis Koutsogiannis; Defendant: The Random House Group Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
18 January 2019
Procedural Posture
Libel Action / Judgment on Preliminary Issues (meaning and Fact/opinion)
Outcome
Defamatory meaning found; meaning determined as set out in the judgment; words are statements of fact, not opinion.
Legal Topics
Libel, Meaning of Defamatory Statements, Fact Vs Opinion, Repetition Rule, Book Publication Context
Defamation Media Law Libel Meaning of Defamatory Statements Fact Vs Opinion Repetition Rule Book Publication Context

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 24 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Panagiotis Koutsogiannis

Claimant

The Random House Group Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel Action / Judgment on Preliminary Issues (meaning and Fact/opinion)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 What is the natural and ordinary meaning of the words complained of in the book as they relate to the Claimant?
  2. 2 Are the words complained of, insofar as they refer to the Claimant, statements of fact or opinion?

Ratio Decidendi

The book bears the meaning that the Claimant was involved in a network of collusive behaviour, whereby he, along with many other traders, brokers and bank employees all over the world, deliberately tried to manipulate the Libor rate to the benefit of his own or his employers' trading positions but to the potential detriment of a very large number of people and entities including those who paid more than they should have done for financial products or services linked to the Libor rate. This meaning is factual and not an expression of opinion.

Court Disposition

Defamatory meaning found; meaning determined as set out in the judgment; words are statements of fact, not opinion.