Cases

Gregson v Channel Four Television

Facts

After a jury had given a verdict on the meaning conveyed by a television programme, the trial judge had granted the Claimant's an application to have the remaining issues of (1) qualified privilege; (2) malice and (3) damages tried by judge alone. He held that the trial of these issues involved and prolonged examination of documents that could not be conveniently tried by a jury. The Defendant appealed on the grounds that: (1) the judge had misjudged the extent to which any of the documents would need prolonged examination; and (2) in exercising his discretion under s.69 Supreme Court Act 1981 he had failed to give sufficient weight to the right of Channel 4 to have their good names and integrity vindicated by a jury given the serious allegations made against them by the Claimant in his malice plea.

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