Woods v. Edinburgh Evening News, Ltd [1910] ScotLR 786 (12 July 1910)

The advertisement, taken by itself, was not libellous and could not bear the innuendo alleged by the pursuers; therefore, the action was dismissed and the defenders assoilzied.

Citation: [1910] ScotLR 786
Parties: Pursuer: James Wood; Pursuer: Mrs Margaret Prentice Wood; Defender: Edinburgh Evening News, Limited
Jurisdiction: Scotland
Judgment Date: 12 July 1910
Procedural Posture: Civil / Appeal (reclaiming Motion) From Lord Ordinary's Interlocutor
Outcome: action dismissed; defenders assoilzied
Legal Topics: Slander, Libel, Newspaper Liability, Advertisement, Innuendo, Reparation

Defamation Media Law Tort Slander Libel Newspaper Liability Advertisement Innuendo +1 more

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Parties

James Wood

Pursuer

Mrs Margaret Prentice Wood

Pursuer

Edinburgh Evening News, Limited

Defender

Procedural Posture

Civil / Appeal (reclaiming Motion) From Lord Ordinary's Interlocutor

Legal Issues

1 Whether the advertisement was defamatory per se
2 Whether the advertisement could bear the innuendo alleged by the pursuers
3 Extent of newspaper liability for publication of advertisements

Ratio Decidendi

The advertisement, taken by itself, was not libellous and could not bear the innuendo alleged by the pursuers; therefore, the action was dismissed and the defenders assoilzied.

Court Disposition

action dismissed; defenders assoilzied

Orders

Interlocutor of Lord Ordinary recalled
Defenders assoilzied (absolved from liability)