News: OPO v James Rhodes, Handown of judgment by Supreme Court, statements and news reports

The Supreme Court handed down judgment today in the case of OPO v James Rhodes ([2015] UKSC 32). The Court unanimously allowed the appeal by the defendant author from the grant of an injunction by the Court of Appeal ([2014] EWCA Civ 1277) to restrain the publication of a memoir, Instrumental.  

Judgment was handed down at 9.45am with a short summary of the case being given by Lord Toulson, the joint author of the leading judgment:

There have been press releases from the solicitors for James Rhodes and the solicitors for publishers, Canongate Books, James Rhodes has also issued a statement.

The case has been widely reported in the media, including the following

• “Pianist James Rhodes can publish child abuse memoir“, BBC website.

• “Pianist James Rhodes wins right to publish autobiography telling of abuse“, The Guardian.

• “Benedict Cumberbatch’s concert pianist friend wins right to publish child abuse memoir“, Daily Telegraph.
• “James Rhodes wins court battle over memoir”, Classical Music.
• “Best-selling concert pianist wins fight to publish sex abuse memoir – backed by his old schoolfriend Benedict Cumberbatch – after US ex-wife got the book banned saying it would harm their son, 11“, Daily Mail.