LAW AND LIBEL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 531, 7 December 1928, Page 9

LAW AND LIBEL

Sensational Ending to Case ECHO OF “MR. A.” (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) Reed, noon LONDON. Thursday. There was a sensational ending to a libel action brought by William Cooper Hobbs, who figured in the “Mr. A.” case. Hobbs sued the Liverpool “Evening Express” in connection with a sketch of his life imputing dishonesty. The jury intimated that it desired to find for the defendants. Lord Chief Justice Hewart gave judgment to the defendants on the ground that the plaintiff had been found a verdict for a farthing. He announced that the documents would be impounded and sent to the Public Pro? secutor.

In the closing stages of the case, Lord Hewart said: ’“An interesting point arises. The jury has twice expressed the opinion that it must give a verdict for the defendants if the law allows, and

Lord Hewart the most damage the plaintiff has suffered is a farthing. “In connection with printed words that are defamatory, the law presumes that there is some damage. Is that piresumption to be rebutted? May the plaintiff appear to be obviously so worthless a person that it is impossible for him to suffer damage from any libel?” * Mr. Norman Birkett, K.C.: I can conceive such a case. Even a verdict for a farthing would be judgment for the defendants. I paid the Court £l, which is 19s Hid too much. Lord Hewart: I gafjier that you ask for judgment for defendants with costs. He then gave judgment accordingly, and the jury formally awarded Hobbs a farthing damages.