September 16, 2025
Berkoff v Burchill [1996] EWCA Civ 564 (31st July, 1996)
Actor Steven Berkoff sued journalist Julie Burchill and Times Newspapers for defamation after articles described him as 'hideously ugly' and compared his appearance unfavourably to Frankenstein's monster. The Court of Appeal held by majority that such statements were capable of being defamatory as they could expose him to ridicule and lower his standing. Facts The plaintiff, Steven Berkoff, is a well-known actor, director and writer. The first defendant, Julie Burchill, was a journalist writing for the Sunday Times (published by the second defendant, Times Newspapers Limited). In January 1994, Miss Burchill wrote that ‘film directors, from Hitchcock to Berkoff are
