Cases

Freer v Zeb & Ors

Facts

Slander proceedings were brought against two defendants over statements said to have been made in a pizza delivery restaurant. The Defendants were a woman that the Claimant had recently been in a relationship with and a colleague, alleged to be a new partner. The first Defendant, a local trader, was alleged to be vicariously liable for the damage caused. The statements were of a purely private nature. Publication was pleaded to one unnamed non-defendant and passing customers. Within a week the Claimant had launched 6 separate claims against his ex-partner or a witness for her in criminal proceedings against him. Four claims were in defamation, one for false imprisonment and one for delivery up of possessions. Another of the slander claims was identical in most material aspects, save that other employers were sued. D1 sought summary judgment on grounds of abuse, no prospect of proving vicarious liability or publication and applied for a civil restraint order.

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