John v Times Newspapers Ltd (Rev 1)

John v Times Newspapers Ltd (Rev 1)

The words complained of are not capable of bearing the meanings attributed to them by the Claimant or any other meaning defamatory of him, as a reasonable reader would not infer involvement in tax avoidance from the mere association with Mr McKenna.

Parties
Claimant: Sir Elton John; Defendant: Times Newspapers Ltd
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
10 October 2012
Procedural Posture
Libel / Application for Ruling on Meaning and Dismissal
Outcome
Application granted; action dismissed.
Legal Topics
Libel, Defamatory Meaning, Tax Avoidance, Interpretation of Words
Defamation Media Law Libel Defamatory Meaning Tax Avoidance Interpretation of Words

Case Brief

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Parties

Sir Elton John

Claimant

Times Newspapers Ltd

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Application for Ruling on Meaning and Dismissal

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the words complained of are capable of bearing the defamatory meanings attributed by the Claimant
  2. 2 Whether the articles impute involvement in tax avoidance to the Claimant at any Chase level

Ratio Decidendi

The words complained of are not capable of bearing the meanings attributed to them by the Claimant or any other meaning defamatory of him, as a reasonable reader would not infer involvement in tax avoidance from the mere association with Mr McKenna.

Court Disposition

Application granted; action dismissed.

Orders

  • The action is dismissed as the words complained of are not capable of bearing a defamatory meaning against the Claimant.