KHAREN JIT KAUR A/P LA CHIN SINGH v 1. ) NUURUL 'AZMI BIN ZAINAL ABIDIN 2. ) FAZNITA BINTI MOHD SALLEH
Catchwords
Defamation — Advocate and solicitor — Letter to insurer — Whether statements defamatory — Professional reputation — Solicitor-client relationship — Termination of retainer — Change of solicitors — Authority to act — Filing of proceedings after termination — Communication to insurer — Whether publication justified. Defamation — Defences — Justification — Substantial truth — Burden of proof — Whether truth capable of summary determination — Requirement to prove defamatory sting — Pleading requirements — Whether reliance on statutory and ethical breaches properly pleaded. Defamation — Defences — Qualified privilege — Duty-interest communication — Corresponding interest of insurer — Scope of privilege — Whether publication exceeded occasion — Malice — Whether inferred from content and purpose of communication — Whether triable issue of malice. Civil Procedure — Order 33 rule 2 Rules of Court 2012 — Preliminary issue — Prior determination — Whether suitable — Requirement of discrete question of law — Whether issues depend on disputed facts — Whether justification and privilege can be determined without trial. Civil Procedure — Summary disposal — Limits — Role of documentary evidence — Whether existence of documents sufficient — Need for full trial where material facts disputed — Evaluation of evidence — Credibility and inference. Legal Profession — Advocate and solicitor — Retainer — Termination by client — Right to change solicitor — Legal Profession Act 1976 s 120 — Rules and Rulings of Bar Council — Consent of solicitor on record — Effect of termination on authority to act. Evidence — Affidavit evidence — Conflicting factual assertions — Whether sufficient for determination — Burden of proof — Malice — Inference from conduct — Whether issues suitable for affidavit determination. Practice and Procedure — Defamation action — Application to determine defences summarily — Whether appropriate — Interplay between procedural rules and substantive defences — Case management — Costs in the cause.
Practice Areas
Judges (1)
Judgment
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