Griffiths –v- Benn [1911] 27 TLR 346

Citation:Griffiths –v- Benn [1911] 27 TLR 346

Link to case on WorldLII (reference).

Rule of thumb:Is it defamation to criticise the standard of a person’s work? Generally not as these are deemed to be an opinion & fair comment, but criticisms of a person’s methods or their character which can be categorically proved to be false is defamation.

Ratio-decidendi:

"... (one has to ask whether the words are reasonably capable of conveying)... a personal imputation upon them, either upon their character or upon the mode in which their business is carried on." Cozens-Hardy, MR at 350

Warning: This is not professional legal advice. This is not professional legal education advice. Please obtain professional guidance before embarking on any legal course of action. This is just an interpretation of a Judgment by persons of legal insight & varying levels of legal specialism, experience & expertise. Please read the Judgment yourself and form your own interpretation of it with professional assistance.