On 7 July 2026, Mr Justice Griffiths handed down judgment following a preliminary issue trial as to ‘meaning’ in Isaac Ameyaw v Penny Anthony [2026] EWHC 1694 (KB).
The preliminary issue trial arose in defamation proceedings brought by a Youth Minister at the Edmonton Baptist Church against a member of that church.
Among other points, the judgment provides valuable guidance on the circumstances in which words that were not used in the original publication may be included as part of its meaning (paragraphs 22 to 33) and whether (and if so when) an allegation of dishonesty is to be regarded as a statement of fact rather than an expression of opinion (paragraphs 57 to 60).
Mariyam Kamil appeared for the Defendant, instructed by Carter Lemon Camerons. The Court expressed gratitude to junior counsel for the Claimant and the Defendant for “exceptionally well-prepared and thoughtful submissions… both in written skeleton arguments and in clear and structured submissions at the hearing”.
The judgment can be accessed here.