Category: defamation
Defamation Act reforms libel law – Ministry of Justice
“Large scale reforms to the law governing cases of defamation have today become law as the Defamation Bill gains Royal Assent.”
Ministry of Justice, 25th April 2013
Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
Lords pass defamation bill – The Guardian
“Laws that led to London being dubbed ‘the libel capital of the world’ will be reformed after peers in the Lords voted to pass the defamation bill, ending a three-year campaign led by Liberal Democrat peers Lord McNally and Lord Lester.”
The Guardian, 23rd April 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Rochdale care homes to sue council leader for suggesting children not safe after grooming scandal – Daily Telegraph
“Two private care home operators are attempting to sue the leader of the council at the centre of the Rochdale child grooming scandal for libel after he suggested vulnerable children would not be safe in the area.”
Daily Telegraph, 22nd April 2013
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Government U-turn on defamation bill heralds libel reform victory – The Guardian
“A three-year campaign to reform Britain’s ‘chilling’ libel laws is days away from victory after the government did a U-turn on a key proposal which would prevent companies using defamation laws to silence their critics.”
The Guardian, 22nd April 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Court awards anonymity for victim of libellous “paedophile” allegations – UK Human Rights Blog
“The permanent damage that internet publications can inflict is very much the focus of Tugendhat J’s assessment of damages in this case, encapsulated in the memorable description he quoted in an earlier judgment: ‘what is to be found on the internet may become like a tattoo’.”
UK Human Rights Blog, 21st April 2013
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
Lesley Kemp faces libel suit over Twitter comments – BBC News
“A woman who complained about an unpaid £146 invoice is facing a libel battle that could cost her more than £100,000.”
BBC News, 19th April 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Civil Justice Council (CJC) group reports on defamation costs – Judiciary of England and Wales
“A Civil Justice Council (CJC) Working Group today publishes its report on the case and options for costs protection in defamation and privacy proceedings.”
Judiciary of England and Wales, 18th April 2013
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
Lord McAlpine wins first round in hearing for Twitter libel case – The Guardian
“Lord McAlpine has won the first stage of his libel battle against Sally Bercow, the Commons speaker’s wife, after a high court judge ruled that the trial should be split into two stages.”
The Guardian, 16th April 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Blow to freedom of speech as key libel reform the Defamation Bill is blocked – The Independent
“The Government is to block plans to reform Britain’s ‘chilling’ libel laws and to prevent large companies from silencing their critics with the threat of being sued.”
The Independent, 15th April 2013
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Sally Bercow faces first high court hearing in Twitter libel battle – The Guardian
“Sally Bercow, the wife of the Commons speaker, faces her first high court hearing next week as part of the libel battle with Lord McAlpine over an allegedly defamatory Twitter message.”
The Guardian, 12th April 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Defamation bill faces fresh attack from Conservatives – The Guardian
“The defamation bill, which was last month threatened with obliteration after a political row over Leveson press reforms, is once again under attack, but this time by the Tories who want to get rid of two key sections.”
The Guardian, 11th April 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Former lady of Blarney Castle wins damages after being branded ‘psycho’ – Daily Telegraph
“The former wife of the owner of Blarney Castle, where the Blarney Stone is kept, has won damages at the High Court after being branded as a ‘psycho’ who should be avoided.”
Daily Telegraph, 10th April 2013
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
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Kelvin MacKenzie’s Daily Mail column sparks £200,000 libel claim – The Guardian
“Kelvin MacKenzie faces more woes after being dropped by the Telegraph as it emerged that his column in the Daily Mail has become the subject of a £200,000 libel case.”
The Guardian, 8th April 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Andrew Mitchell issues libel writ against Sun over ‘plebgate’ – The Guardian
“Former cabinet minister Andrew Mitchell is taking legal action against the Sun over its reporting of his verbal altercation with police officers in Downing Street.”
The Guardian, 29th March 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Press regulation: publishers may have grounds for legal challenge – The Guardian
“Newspapers likely to take action over regulations that will require huge payouts when stories are wrong.”
The Guardian, 19th March 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Bloggers may face libel fines under press regulation deal – The Guardian
“Bloggers could face high fines for libel under the new Leveson deal with exemplary damages imposed if they don’t sign up to the new regulator, it was claimed on Tuesday.”
The Guardian, 19th March 2013
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Carmarthenshire blogger loses libel case against council chief – BBC News
“A blogger who sued a council chief executive for libel says she is ‘absolutely devastated’ after losing the case and being told to pay him £25,000 damages when he counter-sued.”
BBC News, 15th March 2013
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Historic Royal Charter on press regulation close to being agreed – The Independent
“The three leading political parties were last night close to signing up to a historic Royal Charter to implement the recommendations of Lord Justice Leveson on reforming regulation of the press.”
The Independent, 12th March 2013
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Top Gear up before Top Judges – UK Human Rights Blog
“The Court of Appeal has refused an appeal against the strike out of a libel claim against the BBC in relation to a review of an electric sports car by the ‘Top Gear’ programme. The judge below had been correct in concluding that there was no sufficient prospect of the manufacturer recovering a substantial sum of damages such as to justify continuing the case to trial.”
UK Human Rights Blog, 6th March 2013
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com