A trial of preliminary issues will take place today before HHJ Lewis (sitting as a Judge of the High Court) in a claim brought by Richard Taylor against Pathe Productions Limited, Baby Cow Productions Limited and Steve Coogan. The claim is in respect of Mr Taylor’s portrayal in the 2022 film ‘The Lost King’, a dramatisation of the search for the remains of Richard III.
Today’s trial will determine the natural and ordinary meaning of the film, whether the meaning found is defamatory at common law, and whether the film was or contained statements of fact or of opinion.
5RB’s William Bennett KC and Victoria Jolliffe, instructed by Shakespeare Martineau act for the Claimant; Andrew Caldecott KC and Hope Williams instructed by Wiggin act for the Defendants.