Lee v. Ritchie [1904] ScotLR 41_509 (14 May 1904)

Lee v. Ritchie [1904] ScotLR 41_509 (14 May 1904)

The positive and reckless nature of the defender's words, used without due inquiry and in an intemperate manner, is sufficient to infer malice and render the averments relevant to displace privilege.

Citation
[1904] ScotLR 41_509
Parties
Pursuer: Kate Lee; Defender: William Couper Ritchie
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Judgment Date
14 May 1904
Procedural Posture
Reparation (damages for Slander) / Plea to Relevancy; Interlocutor on Issue for Trial
Outcome
plea to relevancy repelled; interlocutor adhered to; issue allowed for trial
Legal Topics
Slander, Privilege, Malice, Master and Servant
Tort Employment Law Slander Privilege Malice Master and Servant

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Parties

Kate Lee

Pursuer

William Couper Ritchie

Defender

Procedural Posture

Reparation (damages for Slander) / Plea to Relevancy; Interlocutor on Issue for Trial

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the pursuer's averments are sufficient to infer malice and displace privilege in a slander action between master and servant

Ratio Decidendi

The positive and reckless nature of the defender's words, used without due inquiry and in an intemperate manner, is sufficient to infer malice and render the averments relevant to displace privilege.

Court Disposition

plea to relevancy repelled; interlocutor adhered to; issue allowed for trial

Orders

  • The Lord Ordinary's interlocutor is adhered to.
  • Issue for trial granted.