The first important event of the term is the hand down on 3 October 2014 of the judgment in the libel case of Garcia v Associated Newspapers which was heard on 21-25, 28-9 and 31 July 2014 by Dingemans J. [Update: This judgment was not handed down on 3 October 2014. We will add the correct date when it is known][Update 2: This judgment will be handed down on Monday 6 October 2014 at 10.30am in Court 13]
The following libel trials are listed to take place this term
Craggs v Harvey. A 5 day libel trial begins on 27 October 2014 (PTR on 3 October 2014)[Update: This case has now settled with a Statement in Open Court being read on 3 October 2014][Update 2: There is a short news report about the case on the 5RB website]- Mitchell v News Group Newspapers Ltd and Rowland v Mitchell 12 day libel trial beginning on 17 November 2014 (2 day PTR starts on 23 October 2014). There have been a number of well known interim judgments in this case – most recently [2014] EWHC 2615 (QB)
There is one privacy trial and one in data protection listed for this term:
- Tindall v Express Newspapers 2 day trial beginning on 10 November 2014. The Press Gazette has a summary of the case here.
- Hegglin v Google Inc 5 day trial beginning on 24 November 2014. An expedited trial was ordered by Bean J on 31 July 2014 after he gave permission to serve the proceedings out of the jurisdiction [2014] EWHC 2808 (QB).
The following media law matters are before the Court of Appeal this term:
- Contostavlos v Newsgroup Newspapers, Permission to Appeal, 12 November 2014. An application for permission to appeal against a decision of Tugendhat J [2014] EWHC 1339 (QB)
- Vidal-Hall v Google Inc, Appeal on 8 or 9 December 2014, 5 hour time estimate. This is an appeal from a decision of Tugendhat J [2014] EWHC 13 (QB). We had a Case Comment on this decision.
- Cruddas v Calvert, Appeal on 8 or 9 December 2014, 15 hours time estimate. This is an appeal from a decision of Tugendhat J [2013] EWHC 1427 (QB).
- Rufus v Elliott Appeal on 10 or 11 December 2014, 5 hour time estimate. This is an appeal from a decision of Dingemans J [2013] EWHC 3355 (QB)
Reserved judgments are awaited in two Court of Appeal cases heard last term
- Bewry v. Reed Elsevier UK Limited (T/A Lexisnexis), heard 7 July 2014 (Lewison, Macur and Sharp LJJ) (Case Tracker).
- Flood v Times Newspapers (Master of the Rolls, Leveson P and Sharp LJ), heard 9 July 2014 (Case Tracker). This was an appeal from a decision of Nicola Davies J [2013] EWHC 4075 (QB)
There are three other media law law cases pending before the Court of Appeal which are not likely to be heard this term:
- Weller v Associated Newspapers (Permission granted 8 August 2014), Window 3 December to 7 April 2015, 5 hour time estimate (Case Tracker). This is an appeal from a decision of Dingemans J [2014] EWHC 1163 (QB). We had a Case Comment on this decision.
- Murray v Associated Newspapers Listed 20 and 21 January 2015 (Case Tracker). This is an appeal from a decision of Tugendhat J [2014] EWHC 1170 (QB)
- Cooke v MGN, Permission to Appeal granted by judge on 26 September 2014. This an appeal from a decision of Bean J.[2014] EWHC 2831 (QB)). We had a Case Comment on this decision.