In Re: W (A child)[2016] EWCA Civ 1140 the Court of Appeal considered a case in which a Family Court judgment was severely critical of two witnesses and the applicant local authority. In an oral “bullet point” judgment at the end of the hearing, the Judge found that the witnesses, a social worker (‘SW’) and a police officer (‘PO’), had improperly conspired to prove certain allegations regardless of the truth, or professional guidelines. Continue reading
The Supreme Court today heard the application and appeal in the case of PJS v News Group Newspapers – following the decision of the Court of Appeal on Monday ([2016] EWCA Civ 393) to discharge the injunction it had granted in January because it had ceased to have practical effect. Continue reading
The Mirror Phone Hacking appeal began yesterday, 20 October 2015, in the Court of Appeal before Arden, Rafferty and Kitchin LJJ. Most of the day was occupied by the submissions made on behalf of the appellant, MGN Limited, by Lord Pannick QC. Continue reading
The Campaign for Freedom of Information (“CFOI”) has an immediate and short term cash-flow problem. Despite its modest expenditure, CFOI needs to raise nearly £25,000 to ensure its survival through to the end of March 2014. CFOI has launched an urgent appeal for funds, to which donations can be made online. CFOI asks you to support it now. Continue reading
The Court of Appeal have allowed the appeal of the Sunday Times in the libel case brought former Conservative Party Treasurer, Peter Cruddas ([2013] EWCA Civ 748) against the ruling of Mr Justice Tugendhat that the published articles made an allegation of corruption contrary to the criminal law ([2013] EWHC 1427 (QB)). The Court set aside the orders striking out the defence of justification and entering judgment for the claimant. The trial will now have to proceed. Continue reading
Carina Trimingham has withdrawn the appeal in her harassment and privacy claim against the publisher of the Daily Mail. This was a matter of principle; brought because Carina and her legal team are convinced that the way the Daily Mail wrote about her, and in particular referred to her looks and her sexuality, was simply not acceptable. Continue reading
The Court of Appeal yesterday delivered judgment in the joined cases of Cairns v Modi and KC v MGN Ltd ([2012] EWCA Civ 1382). Both appeals concerned the assessment of damages in libel actions, although the facts of the two cases were very different.
The Court of Appeal has granted Carina Trimingham permission to appeal against the High Court’s judgment in her harassment and privacy claim against Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday. In granting permission to appeal, Lord Justice Laws emphasised that there were “significant issues” as to the Judge’s treatment of the harassment claim. He also noted that this was the first trial in England and Wales of a civil claim for harassment against a newspaper. He granted permission on all grounds, including Ms Trimingham’s privacy claim and claims under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Continue reading