Reference: 30/08/2001
Court: Queen's Bench Division
Judge: Aikens J
Date of judgment: 30 Aug 2001
Summary: Defamation- Libel - Injunctive Relief- Asset freezing order
Appearances: Christina Michalos KC (Claimant)
Instructing Solicitors: Harkavys for the Claimants
Facts
The Claimants were a former Tory MP and his wife. They had been accused by the Defendant, a young woman, of participating in a sexual assault upon her. These allegations were untrue. The Defendant had sold her story to a tabloid newspaper for which she received payment. The Claimants issued defamation proceedings and sought a freezing order.
Issue
Whether it was appropritate to grant a freezing order.
Held
Freezing order granted.
Comment
A freezing order was granted in a defamation case which is fairly unusual. For an example of a Mareva injunction granted in a slander claim see Abdul-Haq Al-Ani v Majed Naji Shubber (Court of Appeal, 25/2/1999).