UK: First practical application of the new public interest defence
by Gianna IacinoOn 27 July 2016, the England and Wales High Court decided a libel case based on the new public interest defence, placing an emphasis on whether the defendant “reasonably believed” the matter was in the public interest (Case no.: HQ15D01507).
A young woman, suffering from bi-polar disorder had a brief relationship with the plaintiff. In December 2012, she accused him of rape. The police questioned him, but he was never charged with the crime. A few month later, in August 2013, the plaintiff brought an action against the young woman for false rape allegations with intent to pervert…
