George (Respondent) v Cannell and another (Appellants)

Case summary

Case ID

UKSC/2022/0147

Parties

Appellant(s)

Linda Cannell

LCA Jobs Ltd

Respondent(s)

Fiona George

Intervener(s)

Media Defence

Issue

What does a claimant need to demonstrate to rely on s3(1) of the Defamation Act 1952 in a claim for malicious falsehood?

Facts

The respondent, Ms Fiona George, worked as a recruitment consultant for an agency owned and operated by Ms Linda Cannell (the first appellant) called LCA Jobs Ltd (the second appellant). After the respondent moved to a different agency, the first appellant spoke to one of the respondent's clients and sent an email to her new employer alleging that she was acting in breach of restrictions in her contact with LCA Jobs Ltd which prevented her from contacting LCA Jobs Ltd's clients. The respondent sued the appellants for libel, slander and malicious falsehood. This appeal is concerned with the claim for malicious falsehood.The trial judge dismissed the claim for malicious falsehood as the respondent had not proved special damaged as required by the common law or demonstrated that her case fell within an exception to that requirement contained in s3(1) of the Defamation Act 1952.The Court of Appeal found in favour of the respondent. The appellants now appeal to the Supreme Court.This appeal is concerned with what the respondent needs to prove to take advantage of s3(1) of the Defamation Act 1952 and avoid the need to prove special damage to succeed in her claim for malicious falsehood.

Date of issue

21 September 2022

Judgment appealed

Judgment details

Judgment date

12 June 2024

Neutral citation

[2024] UKSC 19

Judgment links

Judgment summary

12 June 2024

Appeal

Justices

Lord Hodge

Lord Hamblen

Lord Leggatt

Lord Burrows

Lord Richards

Hearing dates

Full hearing

Start date

17 October 2023

End date

18 October 2023

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