Justice Bell's Verdict
19th June 1997

---

Chief Justice Bell's two-hour summary as presented at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday 19th June 1997 is presented here - the whole judgement is also available.

McDonald's Corporation First Plaintiff and McDonald's Restaurants Limited Second Plaintiff VS Helen Marie Steel First Defendant and David Morris Second Defendant before The Hon. Mr Justice Bell SUMMARY OF THE JUDGEMENT (read in Open Court on Thursday, 19th June 1997) I direct pursuant to RSC Ord. 68 1 (1) that no official shorthand note shall be taken of this summary and that copies of this version may be treated as authentic. Key quotes (as chosen by McSpotlight) Index Introduction The issue of publication of the leaflet Some general principles Starvation in the Third World and destruction of rainforest The use of recycled paper McDonald's food, heart disease, cancer of the breast and cancer of the bowel Advertising The rearing and slaughter of animals Food poisoning Employment practices Section 5 of the Defamation Act 1952 The Defendants' counterclaims Conclusions This summary is not part of the JUDGEMENT. If this summary is perceived to differ in any material respect from the judgement handed down, the judgement prevails. I have made this summary which I will now read, so that the parties and others with an interest in the case may understand my main conclusions more quickly, but primarily so that they may be heard publicly in open court. Official Court Transcripts: Every word from the McLibel Trial - amounting to 313 days of transcripts. The original no-longer-in-print version of 'What's Wrong With McDonald's' The subject of the libel trial Back to McSpotlight Home Page