Daily Mail to pay £125,000 libel damages over TV psychic ‘scam’ claim – The Guardian

Posted June 20th, 2013 in damages, defamation, media, news, psychics by sally

“The Daily Mail has apologised and agreed to pay £125,000 in libel damages to a TV psychic it falsely accused of using a hidden earpiece to scam a theatre audience.”

Full story

The Guardian, 20th June 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Defamation on social media – Law Society’s Gazette

“On 24 May Mr Justice Tugendhat handed down the judgment in McAlpine v Bercow [2013] EWHC 1342 (QB), finding that Mrs Bercow’s tweet carried a defamatory meaning. Following the judgment it was announced that Bercow had accepted an earlier settlement offer, saying that ‘today’s ruling should be seen as a warning to all social media users’. Although Twitter litigation is no longer new (the site has been the form of publication in a number of cases, most notably Cairns v Modi [2012] EWHC 756 (QB)), McAlpine is the first to really tackle the peculiar nature of this social media genre and could mark a key moment in social media use.”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 17th June 2013

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Paul Gascoigne launches libel action against Daily Star – The Guardian

Posted June 14th, 2013 in defamation, media, news, privacy by sally

“Paul Gascoigne has launched a six-figure legal claim against the Daily Star over a leaked mobile phone video allegedly stolen from his flat.”

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The Guardian, 14th June 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Carmarthenshire blogger told to pay £230,000 legal costs – BBC News

Posted June 6th, 2013 in appeals, costs, damages, defamation, harassment, local government, news by sally

“A Carmarthenshire blogger fears losing her home after being told to pay a £230,000 legal bill for a failed bid to sue a council chief executive.”

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BBC News, 5th June 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court: Sally Bercow’s Lord McAlpine tweet was libel – BBC News

Posted May 24th, 2013 in defamation, internet, news, publishing by sally

“A tweet published by Sally Bercow about Tory peer Lord McAlpine was libellous, the High Court has ruled.”

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BBC News, 24th May 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Met Police pay libel damages to riots ‘Good Samaritan’ – BBC News

Posted May 3rd, 2013 in complaints, damages, defamation, news, police, public order by sally

“The Metropolitan Police is to pay substantial damages to a man who was wrongly
pictured in ‘wanted’ posters following the London riots in 2011.”

Full story

BBC News, 3rd May 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Defamation Act becomes law, establishes new statutory defences against libel – OUT-LAW.com

Posted April 30th, 2013 in bills, defamation, defences, legislation, news, public interest by sally

“Changes to libel laws in England and Wales have been implemented after the Defamation Bill received Royal Assent late last week.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 29th April 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

Defamation Act 2013 – legislation.gov.uk

Posted April 26th, 2013 in defamation, legislation by sally

Full text of Act

Source: www.legislation.gov.uk

Defamation Act reforms libel law – Ministry of Justice

Posted April 26th, 2013 in bills, defamation, freedom of expression, legislation, press releases by sally

“Large scale reforms to the law governing cases of defamation have today become law as the Defamation Bill gains Royal Assent.”

Full press release

Ministry of Justice, 25th April 2013

Source: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Lords pass defamation bill – The Guardian

Posted April 24th, 2013 in bills, defamation, news by sally

“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.”

Full story

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

Posted April 23rd, 2013 in care homes, children, defamation, local government, news by sally

“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.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 22nd April 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Government U-turn on defamation bill heralds libel reform victory – The Guardian

Posted April 23rd, 2013 in bills, defamation, news, whistleblowers by sally

“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.”

Full story

The Guardian, 22nd April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Court awards anonymity for victim of libellous “paedophile” allegations – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted April 22nd, 2013 in blackmail, child abuse, compensation, damages, defamation, fraud, internet, news, victims by sally

“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’.”

Full story

UK Human Rights Blog, 21st April 2013

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Lesley Kemp faces libel suit over Twitter comments – BBC News

Posted April 22nd, 2013 in defamation, fees, internet, legal representation, news by sally

“A woman who complained about an unpaid £146 invoice is facing a libel battle that could cost her more than £100,000.”

Full story

BBC News, 19th April 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Civil Justice Council (CJC) group reports on defamation costs – Judiciary of England and Wales

Posted April 19th, 2013 in Civil Justice Council, costs, defamation, press releases, reports by sally

“A Civil Justice Council (CJC) Working Group today publishes its report on the case and options for costs protection in defamation and privacy proceedings.”

Full press release

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

Posted April 16th, 2013 in defamation, news, trials by sally

“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.”

Full story

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

Posted April 16th, 2013 in bills, defamation, freedom of expression, news, parliament by sally

“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.”

Full story

The Independent, 15th April 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Sally Bercow faces first high court hearing in Twitter libel battle – The Guardian

Posted April 15th, 2013 in child abuse, damages, defamation, internet, news by sally

“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.”

Full story

The Guardian, 12th April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Defamation bill faces fresh attack from Conservatives – The Guardian

Posted April 12th, 2013 in bills, defamation, economic loss, freedom of expression, news by sally

“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.”

Full story

The Guardian, 11th April 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Former lady of Blarney Castle wins damages after being branded ‘psycho’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted April 11th, 2013 in damages, defamation, internet, news by sally

“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.”

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 10th April 2013

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

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