There has been previous comment here on the various stages of Banks v Cadwalladr, and the facts have been well-stated. However, there has so far been no comment on the substantive decision of the Court of Appeal in the case. This post aims to fill the gap. There is a lot going on in the Court of Appeal’s decision. It brings some clarity to novel issues like the judicial definition of SLAPPs, the meaning of ‘echo chamber’ for the purpose of s 1 of the 2013 Act, and the need to reassess serious harm once the public interest defence falls away. Continue reading
The International Forum for Responsible Media Blog
Tag: Public Interest (Page 1 of 4)
On 13 June 2022, in conclusion to what constituted a three-year long and highly publicised legal battle, Mrs Justice Steyn handed down her judgment in the notorious libel claim brought by high-profile businessman and Brexiteer Arron Banks against investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr ([2022] EWHC 1417 (QB)) . Continue reading
In a judgment handed down today ([2022] EWHC 1417 (QB)) following a five day trial in January 2022, Steyn J dismissed the libel claim brought by controversial multi millionaire Brexiteer, Arron Banks, against investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr. Continue reading
Terabytes of sensitive financial data have been stolen by cyber hackers and supplied, on a massive scale, to large numbers of journalists who appear to believe that there is a public interest in trawling through private information. Continue reading
The Sun’s publication of photographs and video footage of the then Health Secretary in a “steamy clinch” appears to have been universally welcomed by both friends and foes of the Government. It nevertheless gives to difficult legal issues. Continue reading
On 3 June 2020 the Supreme Court handed down judgment in Serafin v Malkiewicz & Ors [2020] UKSC 23. The decision upheld the Court of Appeal’s finding of unfair trial, but considered that by ordering a remittal limited to the assessment of damages, the appellate judges had failed to address the consequences that should flow from this finding. Continue reading
On Saturday, the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps led the daily Downing Street press conference with news of new transport infrastructure to help us in the current crisis and beyond. Continue reading
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced their intention to launch legal action against the Mail on Sunday for publishing a private handwritten letter the Duchess had sent to her estranged father. Prince Harry said in a statement: “I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.” Continue reading
The newspapers are once again replete with Boris Johnson’s private life. Last weekend he rowed loudly with his girlfriend. Neighbours overheard. She shouted “get off me”, “get out of my flat”, “you’re spoilt”, “you have no care for money or anything”. He shouted “get off my f***ing laptop”. Continue reading
On 17 May 2019, the Court of Appeal handed down its decision in Serafin v Malkiewicz & Ors ([2019] EWCA Civ 852). The appeal concerned, amongst other things, the correct application of the ‘public interest’ defence under s.4 of the Defamation Act 2013. Continue reading
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