Libel & slander

The claimant companies brought an action in defamation and libel against the defendants. The claimants were granted interim injunctions against each of the defendants and there was also an order made against the fifth defendant which related to solicitation of the claimants’ customers and inducement of breach of contract. Judgment in default of defence was obtained by the claimants against the first, second, fourth and fifth defendants by order and the claimants applied for damages. The Queen’s Bench Division held that the right award of general damages in the case of the first claimant was one of £75,000.