Cases

Jameel & Another v Wall Street Journal Europe

Facts

The Defendant published an article in the Wall Street Journal Europe to the effect that the Saudi Arabian authorities were monitoring, at the US government's request, certain bank accounts in connection with the actual or potential funding of terrorism. Accounts of the Abdul Latif Jameel Group were named as being on the list of such accounts. In an action brought by the main company in the Group and by its President, the Defendant contended that the publication was protected by Reynolds privilege and took issue with the Claimants' meaning, which was at the 'reasonable grounds to suspect' level. The jury by their findings of fact rejected much of the journalist's account of his sources for the story and his attempt to verify it with the Claimants in advance of publication. Subject to the trial judge's ruling on privilege, they awarded damages of £30,000 to the President and £10,000 to the company.

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