George v Cannell

Subject Matter

DEFAMATION — Malicious falsehood — Pecuniary damage — Claimant bringing claim for malicious falsehood in respect of comments made orally — Whether claimant able to establish cause of action without proving special damage on basis publications calculated to cause pecuniary damage — Requirements as to proof of mechanism of loss and causation — Defamation Act 1952 (c 66), s 3(1)

[2021] EWHC 2988 (QB); [2021] 4 WLR 145; [2021] WLR(D) 571, QBD

DEFAMATION — Malicious falsehood — Pecuniary damage — Claimant not required to prove special damage where words upon which claim founded “calculated to cause pecuniary damage” — Whether claimant required to show pecuniary loss probably caused — Whether damages for injury to feelings to be awarded — Defamation Act 1952 (c 66), s 3(1)

[2022] EWCA Civ 1067; [2023] QB 117; [2022] 3 WLR 1168; [2022] EMLR 22; [2022] WLR(D) 336; The Times, 10 November 2022, CA

DEFAMATION — Malicious falsehood — Pecuniary damage — Claimant not required to prove special damage where words upon which claim founded “calculated to cause pecuniary damage” — Whether giving rise to irrebuttable presumption of law for purposes of liability — Test to be applied in determining whether words “calculated to cause pecuniary damage” — Whether damages recoverable for injury to feelings when no financial loss suffered — Defamation Act 1952 (c 66), s 3(1)

[2024] UKSC 19; [2025] AC 871; [2024] 3 WLR 153; [2024] 4 All ER 431; The Times, 12 August 2024; Press summary, SC(E)

Appellate History

Commentary

Inforrm's Blog
News: UK Supreme Court grants permission to appeal in George v Cannell [Updated] Case comment

UK Supreme Court Blog
Case preview: George v Cannell and Anor Case comment

5RB chambers
Supreme Court allows appeal in part in George v Cannell Case comment

Cambridge Law Journal
Economic torts and injured feelings Case comment