Giving the lead judgment, Lord Sumption said Mr Justice Warby’s ‘analysis of the law was coherent and correct’ and rejected the Court of Appeal’s reasoning.
Romana Canneti, of 4KBW, who acted for interveners in the case the Media Lawyers Association with Guy Vassall-Adams QC and Edward Craven of Matrix, said: ‘Libel claims increased by 70% in the year after the Court of Appeal’s judgment.
‘The Supreme Court has now clarified that there must be a factual basis for deciding “serious harm” has been suffered. This important judgment favours freedom of expression.’