The Law Reports (Appeal Cases)
[1964] AC 234
[HOUSE OF LORDS.]
RUBBER IMPROVEMENT LTD. AND ANOTHER APPELLANTS; AND DAILY TELEGRAPH LTD. RESPONDENTS.
SAME APPELLANTS; AND ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS LTD. RESPONDENTS.
[ON APPEAL FROM LEWIS v. DAILY TELEGRAPH LTD.]
1962 Dec. 3,
4,
5,
6,
12,
13,
17,
18,
19.
1963 Mar. 26.
1963 Mar. 26.
LORD REID, LORD JENKINS, LORD MORRIS OF BORTH-Y-GEST, LORD HODSON and LORD DEVLIN.
Libel and Slander
— Justification
— Suspicion of crime
— Statement that Fraud Squad inquiring into affairs of limited company
— Ordinary meaning of words admitted to be defamatory, but justified
— Proof of police inquiry in progress at date of report
— Whether justification
— Whether words reasonably capable of meaning plaintiffs guilty of fraud.
Libel and Slander
— Pleadings
— Innuendo
— Not supported by extrinsic facts
— Duty to withdraw unproved innuendo from jury
— Not applicable if innuendo relying only on words used
— Whether implied meaning should be pleaded
—
R.S.C., Ord. 19, r. 6 (2).
Libel and Slander
— Damages for libel
— Assessment by jury
— Libel of limited company and chairman
— No plea of special damage
— No proof of general loss of business
— High award of damages
— Considerations justifying interference with award by appellate court
— Tax position relevant to question of excessive or inadequate award of damages
— Similar libels in two newspapers
—
Defamation Act, 1952 (15 & 16 Geo. 6 & 1 Eliz. 2, c. 66), s. 12.
Damages
— Tax element
— Libel
— Application of Gourley's case.