Introductory Articles

Malicious falsehood

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These claims stem from the malicious publication of a false statement which identifies the claimant and has caused them financial loss. These four elements must be proven by the claimant. What malicious falsehood seeks to protect is the claimant’s economic rights, primarily the goodwill in their business. Therefore, in many cases claimants will seek to show special pecuniary loss in the form of damages to business evidenced by loss of profits.

In some cases, however, no loss needs to be proven by the claimant. These instances are outlined in s3(1)(a) and (b) Defamation Act 1952 and typically involve instances, where the statement complained of, is in writing and was calculated to cause pecuniary damage to the plaintiff.

Malicious falsehood is firstly concerned with the falsity of a statement, rather than matters of comment or opinion that defamation is typically debated around.

“Some malicious falsehood claims also involve Art 8 (privacy) rights, although less frequently than in defamation claims” – Thornton v Telegraph Media Group Ltd [2011] EWHC 159 (QB) at p.33

The requirement for financial loss to be evidenced in malicious falsehood cases means that it less often covers Article 8 issues, as these are more likely to be personal attacks meriting Article 8 protection. As an economic tort malicious falsehood sits less easily with Article 8 issues than the personal tort of defamation (see Ajinomoto Sweetners Europe SAS v Asda Stores Limited [2010] EWCA Civ 609).

In a malicious falsehood claim damages are compensatory in nature. They seek to provide compensation for the pecuniary loss caused by the false statement.

As practical matter defamation and malicious falsehood claims are typically brought together. Covering Article 8 rights statements can include false allegations which impinge upon the private life of the claimant. These include mixed statements which have personal imputations which damage the claimant’s business, such as statements about infidelity or convictions.

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Misuse of private information

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The tort of misuse of private information is relatively new and is the primary action which protects privacy rights under English law. To give effect to the European Convention of Human Rights Article 8, which enshrined the right to a private life, English common law (Campbell v MGN Ltd [2004] UKHL) 22 sought to extend the remit of the breach of confidence action to cover instances absent a pre-existing confidential relationship.

The result was the formation of the new tort of misuse of private information. The starting point in Campbell was that there was no cause of action for invasion of privacy. Mirror Group Newspapers, in disclosing information regarding Naomi Campbell’s drug addiction, has committed wrongful use of private information.

The elements of the tort are that:

  1. the Claimant must prove that they had a reasonable expectation of privacy in respect of the information at issue; and
  2. contrary interests, typically between privacy rights and freedom of expression, must be balanced.

A reasonable expectation of privacy arises typically, in the context of private information such as health matters. A reasonable expectation of privacy takes into account a broad number of elements from the individual themselves to the quality of information used and previous statements concerning the information. As in Campbell the information at issue may be broken down into categories from most private to least to enable the application of this test.

Managing competing interests typically involves a consideration of journalistic freedom of expression. This considers the public interest for and against the disclosure of the information. It will also consider the context in which the information is communicated. Interference with rights must be considered proportionate and justifiable.

A brief introduction to the concept of privacy under English law – Part III

The Privacy Perspective2 Comments

For context please see Part’s I and II of our analysis.

Eraser Picture

From the hallmark case of Campbell and the development of breach of privacy as an action, it is clear that the integration of privacy as a concept in English law is still in its formative years. In Part III we consider some of the significant cases post-Campbell to date, bringing into relief key issues and developments in privacy law, many of which are ongoing or merit further consideration by the courts. In particular, the broad nature of an individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy becomes clear (covering issues of children’s privacy and biometric data retention) and the degree to which this can be qualified against other rights is explored.

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A brief introduction to the concept of privacy under English law – Part II

The Privacy Perspective8 Comments

In Part II we consider the legislative framework under English law which enshrined privacy and the recent development of the action for misuse of private information, underpinned by privacy as a value.

The right to privacy was codified into legislation at European Union level in the European Convention of Human Rights, which provides a higher level interpretive layer of guidance on the application of such rights. However, these provisions required integration into English law via legislation to be effective. In taking the lead from the European authorities Parliament passed the Human Rights Act 1998 (“HRA”) to achieve such harmonisation. Article 8 of the HRA addresses the right to a private life:

  1. Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
  2. There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

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A brief introduction to the concept of privacy under English law – Part I

The Privacy Perspective6 Comments

This article is meant to illustrate the development of the concept of privacy under English law, is by no means exhaustive and provides a general reference to key developments.

Many doctrines under English law form due to common law, also known as judge-made or case law, where a series of legal cases create and form doctrines or principles which underpin legal rights. Privacy emerged as a notion in common law in the 18th century, developing through cases, until it was legislated in the 20th century under the European Convention on Human Rights, which was integrated into English law by the Human Rights Act 1998. In Part I we explore the early common law cases which introduced the concept of privacy to English law.

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