Phone hacking trial: After eight months, jury today begins sifting the mountain of evidence – The Independent

‘They are the two words the jury in the phone hacking trial may have waited months to hear. At 3.15pm in court 12 of the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Saunders said: “And finally.”’

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The Independent, 12th June 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘New press regulator will result in more false stories that victimise the weak’ – The Guardian

Posted June 2nd, 2014 in complaints, freedom of expression, inquiries, media, news by sally

‘The big newspaper groups are setting up their own industry watchdog, Ipso, but it will be a toothless creature loyal only to its keepers, not the public.’

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The Guardian, 31st May 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Publisher not forced to delete archived article on man’s spent conviction – OUT-LAW.com

Posted May 22nd, 2014 in data protection, media, news, privacy, publishing by sally

‘Newspaper publisher Newsquest does not have to remove an old article from its online archive which reports on the conviction of a man for fraud, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has ruled.’

 Full story

OUT-LAW.com, 21st May 2014

Source: www.out-law.com

‘Plebgate’ police officer Susan Johnson dismissed – BBC News

‘A policewoman has become the fourth officer to be sacked over press leaks related to the “plebgate” affair.’

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BBC News, 21st May 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Here comes the judge – the maverick aiming to tame Britain’s raucous press – The Guardian

Posted May 16th, 2014 in complaints, freedom of expression, judges, media, news by sally

‘Lawyers and fellow judges have queued up to sing the praises of Sir Alan Moses, inaugural chair of the new press regulator.’

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The Guardian, 16th May 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

David Miranda allowed to appeal against ruling on Heathrow detention – The Guardian

‘David Miranda, partner of the former Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald, has been granted permission to appeal against a ruling that he was lawfully detained under counter-terrorism powers at Heathrow airport. The case – which also involves a challenge to the police seizure of computer material related to the US National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden – will now go to the court of appeal.’

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The Guardian, 15th May 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Press has no direct role in welfare proceedings in Court of Protection – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Sir James Munby, President of the Court of Protection has ruled that the Daily Mail has no standing to be joined as a party in welfare proceedings in relation to a vulnerable adult who has been declared by the courts as lacking capacity under the Mental Health Act.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 12th May 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Russell Brand wins ‘substantial damages’ for Sun on Sunday article – The Guardian

Posted May 9th, 2014 in damages, defamation, media, news by sally

‘Russell Brand has accepted “substantial” libel damages from the Sun on Sunday over the false claim that he cheated on his girlfriend Jemima Khan.’

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The Guardian, 8th May 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Ofcom investigates Top Gear after complaint of ‘casual racism’ – Daily Telegraph

Posted May 6th, 2014 in complaints, media, news, racism by sally

‘Ofcom is to investigate Top Gear after allegations Jeremy Clarkson used a racist term during its Burma special.’

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Daily Telegraph, 6th May 2014

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Dhooharika v Director of Public Prosecutions (Commonwealth Lawyers Association intervening) – WLR Daily

Posted May 1st, 2014 in contempt of court, crime, law reports, media, Privy Council by sally

Dhooharika v Director of Public Prosecutions (Commonwealth Lawyers Association intervening) [2014] UKPC 11; [2014] WLR (D) 179

‘The common law offence of scandalising the court, a species of contempt of court which although abolished by statute in England and Wales continued to exist in many parts of the common law world, was “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society” within the meaning of section 12 of the Constitution of Mauritius.’

WLR Daily, 16th April 2014

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

Max Clifford found guilty of indecently assaulting teenage girls – The Guardian

Posted April 29th, 2014 in media, news, sexual offences by sally

‘The publicist Max Clifford has been found guilty of eight charges of indecent assault against women and girls as young as 15 by a jury at Southwark crown court in London.’

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The Guardian, 28th April 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Has the Weller case created an image right in relation to the facial expressions of children – RPC Privacy Law

Posted April 22nd, 2014 in children, media, news, photography, privacy by sally

‘The singer Paul Weller, acting on behalf of three of his children, was successful in his privacy action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) in relation to seven unpixellated photographs of the children and their father out shopping on a public street and relaxing in a café in Los Angeles. The photographs, in particular, showed the faces of all three children. They were published on Mail Online on 21 October 2012.’

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RPC Privacy Law, 17th April 2014

Source: www.rpc.co.uk

Paul Weller wins damages from the Mail Online – BBC News

‘Rock star Paul Weller has won £10,000 damages after pictures of his children were “plastered” on the Mail Online.’

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BBC News, 16th April 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Regina (JC and another) v Central Criminal Court (Just for Kids Law intervening) – WLR Daily

Regina (JC and another) v Central Criminal Court (Just for Kids Law intervening): [2014] EWHC 1041 (Admin);   [2014] WLR (D)  166

‘Any order made by any court under section 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 prohibiting the identification of (among others) a defendant under the age of 18 years could not extend to reports of the proceedings after the subject of the order had reached the age of majority at 18.’

WLR Daily, 8th April 2014

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

The Defamation Act 2013: reflections and reforms – OUP Blog

Posted April 14th, 2014 in anonymity, defamation, freedom of expression, internet, media, news by sally

‘How can a society balance both the freedom of expression, including the freedom of the press, with the individual’s right to reputation? Defamation law seeks to address precisely this delicate equation. Especially in the age of the internet, where it is possible to publish immediately and anonymously, these concerns have become even more pressing and complex. The Defamation Act 2013 has introduced some of the most important changes to this area in recent times, including the defence for honest opinion, new internet-specific reforms protecting internet publishers, and attempts to curb an industry of “libel tourism” in the U.K.’

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OUP Blog, 14th April 2014

Source: www.blog.oup.com

Anonymity protection for under age defendants expires when they are 18: High Court – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted April 10th, 2014 in anonymity, children, explosives, media, news, terrorism, young offenders by sally

‘This case raises the question whether an order made under s. 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 … prohibiting the identification of (among others) a defendant under the age of 18 years, can last indefinitely or whether it automatically expires when that person attains the age of 18 years. It has wide implications not only for young defendants but also for victims, witnesses, others concerned in proceedings and, of course, the media. [Sir Brian Leveson P, giving the judgment of the court , opening the case at para 1].’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 9th April 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Wonga TV advert banned by advertising watchdog – BBC News

Posted April 9th, 2014 in advertising, complaints, loans, media, news by sally

‘A TV advert for payday loans firm Wonga has been banned after the advertising watchdog ruled it confused the public about the interest rates that applied.’


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BBC News, 9th April 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Panorama bailiffs investigation to be aired after high court bid fails – The Guardian

Posted April 8th, 2014 in bailiffs, BBC, debts, injunctions, media, news by sally

‘The bailiff and star of BBC show The Enforcers has failed in a high court bid to stop a John Sweeney Panorama investigation into debt recovery being broadcast.’

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The Guardian, 7th April 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Kennedy v Information Commissioner and another (Secretary of State for Justice and others intervening) – WLR Daily

Kennedy v Information Commissioner and another (Secretary of State for Justice and others intervening) [2014] UKSC 20; [2014] WLR (D) 143

‘The Freedom of Information Act 2000 did not provide an exhaustive scheme in respect of the disclosure of information held by the Charity Commission relating to inquiries which they conducted. Although an absolute exemption under section 32(2) of that 2000 Act from disclosure under that Act lasted beyond the completion of such an inquiry, the question whether disclosure of information relating to such an inquiry was available would be governed by the Charities Act 1993, as substituted by the Charities Act 2006, construed in the light of common law principles.’

WLR Daily, 26th March 2014

Source: www.iclr.co.uk

FOIA’s not all that: Kennedy v The Charity Commission [2014] UKSC 20 – Panopticon

‘The Supreme Court’s much anticipated judgments in Kennedy v The Charity Commission make for a long read. But they are very important. All the parties in Kennedy were represented by Counsel from 11KBW: Andrew Sharland for Mr Kennedy; Karen Steyn and Rachel Kamm for the Charity Commission and the Secretary of State; Ben Hooper for the ICO; and Christopher Knight for the Media Legal Defence Initiative and Campaign for Freedom of Information.’

Full story

Panopticon, 28th March 2014

Source: www.panopticonblog.com