Cases

Galloway v Telegraph Group Ltd (QBD)

Comment

The key reasons Eady J found against the defendant on qualified privilege were that it had gone beyond reporting the allegations in the Baghdad documents, had gone over the top in accusing the claimant of being 'in the pay of Saddam', and had failed to put this more serious charge to him before publication. His award of £150,000 compensatory damages was based mainly on the seriousness of the libel ('near the top of the bracket') and aggravating features in the post-publication conduct of the defendant, particularly at trial. On liability, the issue is whether the Judge has been too stringent in his application of Reynolds, particularly in the light of Selistö. In terms of damages, the award is strikingly high, particularly for a claimant who is a politician.

Areas of work

Defamation
Human Rights
Media Law

Also