The High Court in Belfast has struck out the libel claim brought by former IRA member, Gerry Kelly, against writer Malachi O’Doherty in relation to two 2019 interviews in which he alleged that the claimant had shot a police officer in the head during the 1983 Maze prison escape. Continue reading
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Columbia Global Freedom of Expression seeks to contribute to the development of an integrated and progressive jurisprudence and understanding on freedom of expression and information around the world. It maintains an extensive database of international case law. This is its newsletter dealing with recent developments in the field. Continue reading
In his new year speech, Keir Starmer held out his familiar vague promises of change after this year’s election and warned us that the Conservatives would go down fighting dirty, but he once again failed even to mention the media or the press. Continue reading
Inforrm reported on a large number of defamation cases from around the world in 2023. Following a now established tradition, with my widely read posts on 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 defamation cases, I present my personal selection of the most legally and factually interesting cases from England, Australia, Canada and New Zealand from the past year – with three “bonus” cases from the US. Continue reading
Two former coordinators of one of Indonesia’s most prominent human rights organisations have escaped conviction in a defamation case brought by a powerful government minister. While their astonishing acquittal is welcome, the case marked a bleak new low for freedom of expression in one of the world’s largest democracies. Continue reading
The 2023 figures for new claims issued in the Media and Communications List of the King’s Bench Division (“the M&C List”) are very similar to those for 2022. According to data derived from HM Courts and Tribunals E-Filing Service a total of 213 new claims were issued in 2023. Continue reading
Happy New Year to all Inforrm readers! The Hilary Legal Term begins on Thursday 11 January 2024 and ends on Wednesday 27 March 2024. Continue reading
Columbia Global Freedom of Expression seeks to contribute to the development of an integrated and progressive jurisprudence and understanding on freedom of expression and information around the world. It maintains an extensive database of international case law. This is its newsletter dealing with recent developments in the field. Continue reading
In order to protect the confidentiality of journalists’ sources it is arguable that the concept of national security ought to be accorded a full legal status. This question has been reignited by the debate concerning EU regulation on the future measure on press freedom which pits those who want journalists to have absolute ‘freedom to investigate’ against those who believe that this freedom cannot be absolute or, in any case, cannot be exercised to the point of endangering national security. Continue reading
Richard’s many interests invariably blossomed into expertise – from fine wine (his cellar matched his knowledge), to the dry fly of choice for testing conditions, to Mozart’s life and works. His chosen area of the law, the law of defamation with its unending search for the civilised balance between the right to reputation and freedom of expression in an ever-evolving social context, was no exception. His natural leaning may have been towards the latter. Continue reading
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