Does Anyone Know If "false Light" Tort Law Applies In Th Uk?

[brandyrose]

I gather - False light privacy invasions are defamations - can be the truth but cause personal embarassment, humiliation, pain and suffering as opposed to damaging reputation.

If this law doesn't get considered in the UK - would a different approach legally be an option or a waste of time. (I cant find any UK examples of this but I might not be looking in the right places.)

Basis of my enquiry - imagine if someone has been called a failure in print by a very significant powerful individual. In this case the comment is truthful in one sense only but full facts were not given and out of context and branded the person negatively & caused embarassment amongst peers etc. Obviously this was intentional and it is intriguing that someone in such a position felt they needed or wanted to do this.


I would be so grateful for any comments from legal/ tort people out there and others that might have some experience or ideas.

THANK YOU

[FredPuli43]

The example you give could be libellous by innuendo; in practice , most libel actions are pleaded on innuendo. "Full facts not given" and "truthful in one sense only" yells 'innuendo!', the second defines what it is.

[brandyrose]

Thank you Fredouli43, this is very helpful. I will have a look at innuendo.

[tonywiltshire]

I think you may find “false light” to be American law rather than English/Welsh. If you believe you have suffered loss or harm you may seek damages but remember damnum sine injuria and take advice before proceeding.

[Peter Pedant]

I think the following topical instance may illuminate.

G is a golfer who doesnt speak English fluently. He doesnt like T, another golfer.
G in a televised interview says he will make it up with T , a very laudable sentiment and invite him around for dinner - and even more laudable sentiment.
G says he will serve up at dinner for T, fried chicken.

In G's first language, la polla frita has an obscene second meaning and a third meaning of 'lottery' - even tho' there is a famous true headline el presidente tocca la polla, which hilariously means The President has won the lottery AND the president has well... you know, which apparently had been run in South America where slang terms are different.

What is G's liability in English law in the false light doctrine ?

and the short answer is: none

all G has to show is that T had been spreading it around, and no one in London would find G liable.

[Buenchico]

This seems to be relevant:
http://www.yourrights.org.uk/yourrights/right-of-free-expression/defamation/defamation-elements-of-a-claim.html

[Peter Pedant]

dammit all.

its not spotted dick, they tell me, but slave food.

see: http://www.libertaddigital.com/deportes/mas-deporte/2013-05-22/la-broma-racista-de-sergio-garcia-sobre-tiger-woods-le-serviremos-pollo-frito-1276490900/

I dunno: I still think an English judge would tell all parties to grow up