George (Respondent) v Cannell and another (Appellants)
Case ID: 2022/0147
Case summary
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.
Judgment appealed
Parties
Appellant(s)
(1) Linda Cannell
(2) LCA Jobs Ltd
Respondent(s)
Fiona George
Intervener
Media Defence
PTA Intervener
Index on Censorship
Appeal
Justices
Lord Hodge, Lord Hamblen, Lord Leggatt, Lord Burrows, Lord Richards
Hearing start date
17 October 2023
Hearing finish date
18 October 2023
| Watch hearing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 17 October 2023 | Morning session | Afternoon session |
| 18 October 2023 | Morning session | Afternoon session |
Judgment details
Judgment date
12 June 2024
Neutral citation
[2024] UKSC 19
- Judgment (PDF)
- Press summary (PDF)
- Judgment on The National Archives (HTML version)
- Press Summary on The National Archives (HTML version)
- Judgment on BAILII (HTML version)
| Watch Judgment summary | |
|---|---|
| 12 June 2024 | Judgment summary |