Jameel v Abdul Latif Jameel Company Ltd

Jameel v Abdul Latif Jameel Company Ltd

The article is not capable of bearing a lesser defamatory meaning than 'reasonable grounds to suspect'; witness statements are admissible to rebut evidence and support aggravated damages; costs of the discontinued internet claim awarded to Defendant.

Parties
Claimant: Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel; Claimant: Abdul Latif Jameel Company Limited; Defendant: Wall St. Journal Europe SPRL
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
07 October 2003
Procedural Posture
Libel / Pre Trial Review Ruling
Outcome
Ruling in favour of Claimants on both substantive issues; costs of discontinued internet claim awarded to Defendant; orders for parties to agree facts and admissions by 1 November.
Legal Topics
Libel, Meaning of Defamatory Words, Admissibility of Evidence, Qualified Privilege, Aggravated Damages, Costs, Discontinuance
Defamation Libel Meaning of Defamatory Words Admissibility of Evidence Qualified Privilege Aggravated Damages Costs Discontinuance

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Parties

Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel

Claimant

Abdul Latif Jameel Company Limited

Claimant

Wall St. Journal Europe SPRL

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Libel / Pre Trial Review Ruling

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the article is capable of bearing a lesser defamatory meaning than 'reasonable grounds to suspect'
  2. 2 Admissibility and relevance of eleven witness statements served by Claimants
  3. 3 Costs relating to discontinued internet claim

Ratio Decidendi

The article is not capable of bearing a lesser defamatory meaning than 'reasonable grounds to suspect'; witness statements are admissible to rebut evidence and support aggravated damages; costs of the discontinued internet claim awarded to Defendant.

Court Disposition

Ruling in favour of Claimants on both substantive issues; costs of discontinued internet claim awarded to Defendant; orders for parties to agree facts and admissions by 1 November.

Orders

  • Words complained of not capable of lesser defamatory meaning than 'reasonable grounds to suspect'.
  • Witness statements admissible for rebuttal and aggravated damages.