Category: defamation

QC’s view: ‘Media must fight harder for its freedom’ – The Guardian

Posted November 11th, 2009 in defamation, freedom of expression, media, news by sally

“‘We do not have free speech in Britain, we have expensive speech … Defending a libel action in Britain is vastly more expensive than in any other European country – lawyers will rack up a million pounds in fees for a short trial and our cash-strapped media is increasingly choosing to settle rather than to fight for its freedom – which, after all, is its reader’s freedom to receive information.'”

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The Guardian, 10th November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Call to reform ‘repressive’ English libel laws – The Guardian

Posted November 11th, 2009 in defamation, freedom of expression, news by sally

“Intimidating and out-of-date laws are silencing free speech and scientific inquiry, a report claims, amid increasing controversy over England’s status as ‘the libel capital of the world’.”

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The Guardian, 10th November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Libel law reform campaigners seek £10,000 damages cap – OUT-LAW.com

Posted November 11th, 2009 in damages, defamation, freedom of expression, news by sally

“English libel law imposes disproportionate restrictions on free speech, according to an independent report that recommends 10 changes to the laws. The Ministry of Justice said today that it will launch a consultation on defamation and the internet.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 10th November 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

Libel and the cult of the forbidden – The Guardian

Posted November 11th, 2009 in defamation, freedom of expression, news by sally

“English libel law is as real a threat to free inquiry as the repressive zeal of anti-terrorism policy.”

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The Guardian, 10th November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Andre wins libel damages from Now – BBC News

Posted November 10th, 2009 in damages, defamation, news by sally

“Peter Andre has accepted ‘substantial’ damages in London’s High Court over claims he was lying when he portrayed himself as a loving father and husband.”

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BBC News, 10th November 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Foreign media count cost of UK libel laws – The Guardian

Posted November 9th, 2009 in defamation, news by sally

“Britain’s reputation for ‘libel tourism’ is driving American and foreign publishers to consider abandoning the sale of newspaper and magazines in Britain and may lead to them blocking access to websites, MPs have been warned.”

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The Guardian, 9th November 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Kate Winslet to get libel damages – BBC News

Posted November 3rd, 2009 in defamation, news by sally

“Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet has accepted £25,000 libel damages over a claim made by the Daily Mail that she lied about her exercise regime.”

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BBC News, 3rd November 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Libel tourists flock to ‘easy’ UK courts – The Sunday Times

Posted November 2nd, 2009 in defamation, news by sally

“An Icelandic professor has emerged as the latest victim of ‘libel tourism’ in Britain after he was sued in the High Court by a wealthy compatriot for a posting on a website based in Iceland.”

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The Sunday Times, 1st November 2009

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

MP wins damages from McBride – The Independent

Posted October 30th, 2009 in damages, defamation, news by sally

“A Tory MP has received damages from one of Gordon Brown’s former spin doctors after he targeted her as part of the ‘smear emails’ scandal.”

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The Independent, 30th October 2009

Source: www.independent.co.uk

House of Lords to back libel law changes – The Guardian

Posted October 26th, 2009 in defamation, freedom of expression, news by sally

“Freedom of speech campaigners are claiming victory as the House of Lords is expected to back changes removing ‘anachronistic’ laws which have criminalised libel for more than 700 years.”

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The Guardian, 25th October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Law of confidence can trump libel law, rules High Court – OUT-LAW.com

Posted October 22nd, 2009 in confidentiality, defamation, news, privacy by sally

“The High Court has upheld a famous person’s rights under the law of confidence over someone else’s right to reveal his activity with a prostitute under defamation law. The Court has granted an interim injunction which will keep the man’s identity a secret.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 22nd October 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

How our senior libel judge stamps on free speech – all over the world – The Guardian

Posted October 20th, 2009 in defamation, freedom of expression, injunctions, judges, news by sally

“Mr Justice Eady’s rulings amplify the democratic world’s most illiberal laws – enabled by 12 years of utterly feeble leadership.”

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The Guardian, 19th October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Newspaper archives can lose libel protection as stories change, rules High Court – OUT-LAW.com

Posted October 20th, 2009 in archives, defamation, media, news by sally

“A newspaper which continued to publish a defamatory article on its website after its subject was cleared in an investigation lost its right to claim a special journalistic defence against libel, the High Court has said.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 19th October 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

Science writer Simon Singh wins ruling in chiropractic libel battle – The Guardian

Posted October 15th, 2009 in appeals, defamation, freedom of expression, news by sally

“A science writer who is being sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association is to fight on after a preliminary judgment against him was overturned on appeal today.”

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The Guardian, 14th October 2009

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Gazza’s ex in libel damages win – BBC News

Posted October 12th, 2009 in damages, defamation, news by sally

“The former wife of Paul Gascoigne has accepted undisclosed libel damages over a claim her financial demands caused his relapse into alcoholism.”

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BBC News, 9th October 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Government plans to curb costs in defamation proceedings – Ministry of Justice

Posted September 25th, 2009 in defamation, fees, news by sally

“Steps to tackle excessive legal fees in defamation proceedings were announced today by Justice Secretary, Jack Straw.”

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Ministry of Justice, 24th September 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk

McCann lawyers seek site removal – BBC News

Posted September 21st, 2009 in defamation, internet, news by sally

“Lawyers for the parents of missing toddler Madeleine McCann have demanded the removal of a website which claims their daughter is dead.”

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BBC News, 19th September 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Government may shield websites from libel claims with ‘single publication’ rule – OUT-LAW.com

Posted September 17th, 2009 in defamation, internet, news by sally

“The Government could scrap a part of defamation law that makes newspapers liable many times for material in a single article. The Government may prevent people suing every time a web page ‘publishes’ an article.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 17th September 2009

Source: www.out-law.com

Plan to update libel law for web – BBC News

Posted September 17th, 2009 in defamation, internet, news by sally

“Proposals to overhaul the libel laws and update them for the internet age have been revealed by the government.”

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BBC News, 16th September 2009

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Defamation on the internet: Ministry of Justice seeks your views – Ministry of Justice

Posted September 16th, 2009 in defamation, internet, news by sally

“A debate on aspects of defamation law, and how it works in the internet age, was launched today by the Ministry of Justice.”

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Ministry of Justice, 16th September 2009

Source: www.justice.gov.uk