Paul Little Construction Limited v Michael Byrne

Facts

The claimant, Paul Little Construction Limited, is a private company that builds domestic buildings in Devon and Cornwall. In April 2023 the defendant, Michael Byrne, and his wife engaged it to carry out work on their house in Plymouth. Dissatisfied with the result, the defendant posted two one-star reviews of the claimant on the Google Business platform. The First Review, posted sometime before 9 August 2024, strongly recommended readers not to let the company near their building project. It described the work as terrible on almost every aspect and the additional costs as extortionate. It said the company had promised in writing to pay for another contractor to correct its shoddy workmanship but had not yet honoured that promise, so that litigation looked increasingly likely. Photographs and short videos of building work were attached. The Second Review, posted in January 2025, warned readers off the company even more emphatically. It complained of the poor workmanship on the attempted extension and said thousands of pounds had been spent on corrective work. Both reviews also referred to an employee urinating on the property, but neither party relied on that allegation. The company sued for libel. After a Defence and Reply had been filed, a trial of preliminary issues was directed, and Mr Justice Eardley heard it on 5 October 2026.