header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
14 June 2012
Issue: 7518 / Categories: Case law , Law reports , In Court
printer mail-detail

Defamation—Privilege—Qualified privilege

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Thour v Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust [2012] EWHC 1473 (QB), [2012] All ER (D) 21 (Jun)

 

Queen’s Bench Division, Tugendhat JM, 29 May 2012

A defence of qualified privilege was made out in respect of a claim for libel based on a reference given by a former employer, an NHS trust, to the claimant’s prospective employer, another NHS trust. 

The claimant appeared in person. Sarah Palin (instructed by Radcliffes Le Brasseur) for the defendant.
 
In September 2009, the claimant applied to an NHS trust for a job. Following an interview, he received a conditional offer for the position, subject to satisfactory references. The defendant NHS trust, for whom he had previously worked, supplied a reference by his former supervisor, NB, which stated that it would not reengage him. NB stated that during the claimant’s time with the defendant he was “under investigation following allegations of aggressive behaviour. He resigned during the investigation process and therefore no formal action was taken. As this involved several different members of my staff
If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All
Sponsored by
Jackson Lees Group—Jannina Barker, Laura Beattie & Catherine McCrindle

Jackson Lees Group—Jannina Barker, Laura Beattie & Catherine McCrindle

Firm promotes senior associate and team leader as wills, trusts and probate team expands

Asserson—Michael Francos-Downs

Asserson—Michael Francos-Downs

Manchester real estate finance practice welcomes legal director

McCarthy Denning—Harvey Knight & Martin Sandler

McCarthy Denning—Harvey Knight & Martin Sandler

Financial services and regulatory offering boosted by partner hires

NEWS
Read All
NLJ this week: Short lets & sharp covenants
Holiday lets may promise easy returns, but restrictive covenants can swiftly scupper plans. Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Francis of Serle Court recounts how covenants limiting use to a ‘private dwelling house’ or ‘private residence’ have repeatedly defeated short-term letting schemes
NLJ this week: Justice at the algorithm’s edge
Artificial intelligence (AI) is already embedded in the civil courts, but regulation lags behind practice. Writing in NLJ this week, Ben Roe of Baker McKenzie charts a landscape where AI assists with transcription, case management and document handling, yet raises acute concerns over evidence, advocacy and even judgment-writing
NLJ this week: When ‘milk’ really means milk
The Supreme Court has drawn a firm line under branding creativity in regulated markets. In Dairy UK Ltd v Oatly AB, it ruled that Oatly’s ‘post-milk generation’ trade mark unlawfully deployed a protected dairy designation. In NLJ this week, Asima Rana of DWF explains that the court prioritised ‘regulatory clarity over creative branding choices’, holding that ‘designation’ extends beyond product names to marketing slogans
NLJ this week: Civil practice with claws & caution
From cat fouling to Part 36 brinkmanship, the latest 'Civil way' round-up is a reminder that procedural skirmishes can have sharp teeth. NLJ columnist Stephen Gold ranges across recent decisions with his customary wit
NLJ this week: Stealing virtual gold?
Digital loot may feel like property, but civil law is not always convinced. In NLJ this week, Paul Schwartfeger of 36 Stone and Nadia Latti of CMS examine fraud involving platform-controlled digital assets, from ‘account takeover and asset stripping’ to ‘value laundering’
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll