A long running libel claim in the case of Fry v Agilah settled with the reading of a statement in open court on Friday. The Claimant had sued over an email sent in April 2021 to the headmistress and safeguarding lead of a school where he worked, which contained serious allegations.
Both parties were unrepresented at a trial of preliminary issues on 8 March 2024 before Mrs Justice Hill DBE. The judgment is available here.
Following exchange of evidence for trial, a summary judgment application had been made by the Defendant on the entirety of the claim. In response to that, the Claimant had applied to make late amendments to his statements of case. The parties settled the proceedings the day before the summary judgment and amendment applications were due to be heard, and instead a joint statement was read out in open court.
Victoria Simon-Shore and Hannah Gilliland acted for the Defendant on a direct-access, pro bono basis. Chris Zabilowicz was brought in to act for the Claimant, instructed by Michelmores.
