Hunt v Times Newspapers Ltd

Hunt v Times Newspapers Ltd

The Defendant's amended pleadings in justification and Reynolds privilege are legitimate and sufficiently particularised to notify the Claimant of the case to meet; allegations based on police records and multiple sources may support responsible journalism and are not struck out at the pre-trial stage; general bad reputation may be pleaded without particularisation.

Parties
Claimant: David Hunt; Defendant: Times Newspapers Limited
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 May 2012
Procedural Posture
Civil / Interlocutory Judgment on Pleadings and Amendments
Outcome
Defendant's amended pleadings allowed to stand, subject to minor adjustments; objections largely dismissed.
Legal Topics
Justification, Reynolds Privilege, Responsible Journalism, Burden of Proof, Public Interest, Police Records, General Bad Reputation
Defamation Media Law Human Rights Justification Reynolds Privilege Responsible Journalism Burden of Proof Public Interest +2 more

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Parties

David Hunt

Claimant

Times Newspapers Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil / Interlocutory Judgment on Pleadings and Amendments

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the Defendant's amended pleadings in justification and Reynolds privilege are legitimate and properly particularised
  2. 2 Whether allegations based on police records and multiple sources can support a defence of responsible journalism
  3. 3 Whether general bad reputation can be pleaded without particularisation

Ratio Decidendi

The Defendant's amended pleadings in justification and Reynolds privilege are legitimate and sufficiently particularised to notify the Claimant of the case to meet; allegations based on police records and multiple sources may support responsible journalism and are not struck out at the pre-trial stage; general bad reputation may be pleaded without particularisation.

Court Disposition

Defendant's amended pleadings allowed to stand, subject to minor adjustments; objections largely dismissed.

Orders

  • Allegations in justification and Reynolds privilege not struck out; to be determined at trial.
  • General bad reputation plea allowed.