Riley v Sivier

Subject Matter

DEFAMATION — Libel — Justification

[2021] EWHC 79 (QB), QBD

DEFAMATION — Libel — Public interest defence — Judge striking out defence of truth as having no reasonable prospect of success — Judge also striking out public interest defence on basis defendant could have no reasonable belief in public interest in publishing untrue allegations and unsustainable opinions — Whether judge erring in law — Whether arguable that statement on matter of public interest — Whether court on interim application entitled to find absence of reasonable belief — Whether public interest defence adequately pleaded — Defamation Act 2013 (c 26), s 4

[2021] EWCA Civ 713; [2021] 4 WLR 84; [2021] WLR(D) 282, CA

Appellate History