Cases

Hewitt & Others v Grunwald & Others

Facts

The Claimants were trustees of the UK-based charity, Interpal. The Defendants were honorary officers of the Board of Deputies of British Jews. The Claimants sued on a press release published on the Defendants' website which described Interpal as a 'terrorist organisation'. They applied to strike out the defences of justification and conventional (ie non-Reynolds) qualified privilege. It was part of their case that the words were only capable of bearing the meaning that the Claimants were directly involved in terrorist activities in that they engaged in terrorist activities or knowingly facilitated such activities. The hearing was adjourned to allow the Defendants to put forward draft amendments to the Defence which (among other things) made it clear that the case of justification alleged not merely knowing, but alternatively reckless, funding of terrorism by Interpal.

Also