Unveiling the report of last autumn’s Conduct in Disputes Thematic Review (the report), SRA chief executive Paul Philip said that some firms needed to do more and that the regulator would be redoubling its efforts to make sure its message on SLAPPs (strategic litigation against public participation) got through. This sentiment is as disappointing as it is predictable. But Philip’s statement seems to be at odds with what should have been the report’s core finding: namely that talk of SLAPPS is greatly exaggerated. Continue reading
The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog
Tag: Iain Wilson (Page 1 of 2)
Here we are again. The press doesn’t like us having private lives and the government doesn’t like judges making decisions it disagrees with. These two angsts collided recently following the Court of Appeal’s decision in HRH the Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2021] EWCA Civ 1810. Something, we are told, needs to be done. The answer apparently is (yet again) to abolish the Human Rights Act 1998 and introduce a system whereby the government can review and nullify the effect of binding court decisions. Continue reading
The recent libel judgment handed down in Depp II v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2020] EWHC 2911 (QB) has made headlines around the world and has captured the attention of the public. It has also been a devastating personal blow for Mr Depp. Continue reading
There aren’t many of us who enjoy wearing facemasks, however most of us are law-abiding and/or want to do our bit to try and protect others and stem the pandemic. Whilst the number of those refusing to wear facemasks on public transport or in shops is decreasing, there remains a hardcore of able-bodied individuals who steadfastly refuse. Continue reading
On 24 September 2019, whilst the country was focused on the United Kingdom Supreme Court as it ruled that the prorogation of the UK parliament was unlawful, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU or ECJ), handed down judgment in Google LLC, successor in law to Google Inc. v Commission nationale de l’informatique et des libertés (CNIL), C‑507/17, effectively a sequel to the landmark data protection ‘Google Spain’ decision in May 2014. Continue reading
From 1 October 2019 new rules – in the form of a revised Part 53, Media and Communication Claims, revised/new practice directions (PD 7A, 53A and 53B) and an all encompassing Pre-action Protocol – will apply to claims in England and Wales arising from media and communications disputes. Continue reading
Some practitioners were surprised that Stocker v Stocker [2019] UKSC 17 reached the country’s highest court. The appeal concerned the meaning (or imputation) of words in a libel action. Continue reading
Peter North, former UKIP parliamentary candidate and founder of the Brexit-supporting Leave Alliance, has been ordered to pay philosopher and academic AC Grayling £20,000 in libel damages after tweeting an allegation that Professor Grayling was in possession of child pornography. Continue reading
Mr Justice Nicklin has ordered that Samantha Walker pay care home manager Kim Suttle £55,445.50 in libel and harassment damages after instigating a hate campaign against her based on false allegations that she had abused her dog. Continue reading
The government has announced that from 6 April 2019 conditional fee agreement (‘CFA’) success fees will no longer be recoverable from opponents in defamation and privacy claims. The Ministerial Statement made by David Gauke the Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary can be found here. Continue reading
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