Bell-Booth Group Ltd v Attorney-General - [1989] 3 NZLR 148

Tort — Cause of action — Negligence — Duty of care — Injury to reputation — Television programme presented the view of officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries that the plaintiff's product, Maxicrop, did not work — Plaintiff sued defendant in respect of alleged defamatory statements and for damages for loss of reputation alleging breach of a duty of care in making the statements — Defamation proceedings failed because trial Judge found statements to be true, but Judge found defendant liable in negligence holding that the defendant was in breach of a duty of care — Whether, for a claim based on injury to reputation, a cause of action in negligence was available as an alternative to defamation proceedings.