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Judgement due in food review case Appeal overturns food review case
(about 5 hours later)
A High Court judgement on a newspaper's appeal against a £25,000 libel award over a restaurant review is due later. The Court of Appeal has quashed a controversial libel case, seen as a watershed for press freedom.
The award was made to the owner of Goodfella's pizza restaurant in west Belfast after a jury found an Irish News food critic's review defamatory. Judges have ordered a retrial of the 2007 case against the Irish News.
In January, a QC for the newspaper said the outcome of the appeal would have "worldwide implications". A £25,000 libel award was initially made to Goodfella's pizza restaurant in Belfast, after a jury found the paper's food critic's review defamatory.
The court has now ruled that the jury in the original trial had been misdirected on whether the opinions were defensible as fair comment.
Journalist Caroline Workman's review criticised staff, the quality of food and drink, and the smokey atmosphere.Journalist Caroline Workman's review criticised staff, the quality of food and drink, and the smokey atmosphere.
Ciarnan Convery, the owner of the business, brought the libel action in February, 2007, claiming that the article was defamatory, damaging and hurtful.Ciarnan Convery, the owner of the business, brought the libel action in February, 2007, claiming that the article was defamatory, damaging and hurtful.
The newspaper pleaded justification and fair comment and appealed the finding. Lawyers for the paper had defended their criticism of the restaurant on the basis of justification and fair comment.
Delivering judgment, Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr said: "Although I consider it likely that a properly directed jury would conclude that a sufficient factual substratum existed for the comment... I cannot be certain that this is so and I would therefore order a retrial."
Speaking outside the court on Monday Ms Workman said: "Nobody likes a bad review, but if I can't write honestly, good reviews are pointless."
Irish News editor Noel Doran said the verdict sent out a strong message that newspapers have to be entitled to publish fair, reasonable and informed reviews.