Facts
The sent a telegram suggesting the claimant had borrowed money from his housemaid and not paid her wages.
Issue
Were the words ?
Held
No.
Principle
Words are defamatory if they tend to lower the claimant in the estimation of right-thinking members of society generally (Lord Atkin).
Why it matters
The leading test for defamatory meaning.
Cited in these chapters
Topics
Cite this page
Sim v Stretch [1936] 2 All ER 1237 (Lanbuk) <https://www.lanbuk.com/llb/torts/cases/sim-v-stretch> accessed 31 October 2026
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This summary is a Lanbuk study aid based on the generally known facts and reports of the case. It is not legal advice.