Instruct us directly
Some members of 5RB can now be instructed directly by members of the public without a solicitor, under the Bar Council’s ‘Public Access’ scheme. Further details are available here.
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Libel reform - Common law or codification?
Barry George wins libel damages
5RB's Gordon Bishop acted for Barry George, who was acquitted of the murder of Jill Dando, in his claim in respect of false allegations made in articles in the Sunday Mirror and The People and on the Mirror.co.uk website. The claim was settled with the defendants accepting that the allegations were false, apologising to Mr George and agreeing to pay him substantial damages and his legal costs.
New article on injunctions in privacy and libel
5RB's Godwin Busuttil and Patrick McCafferty have written an article entitled 'Interim Injunctions and the Overlap between Privacy and Libel' for the Journal of Media Law (Hart Publishing), which considers the suitability and compatibility of the rule in Bonnard v Perryman to cases involving private information which also has the potential to damage an individual's reputation.
Doctor accepts substantial libel damages
Dr Mohamed Asha accepted £115,000 libel damages over false allegations on the front page of The Sun that he was linked to terrorism. 5RB's Adam Speker (instructed by Carter-Ruck) acted for Dr Asha, while Adam Wolanski, instructed by Farrer & Co, acted for News Group Newspapers.
5RB Barrister Profile - Anna Coppola (1996)
5RB's Anna Coppola's practice encompasses a broad range of media litigation including defamation and privacy work for both claimants and defendants. Her recent work includes acting for Elena Baturina (the wife of the Mayor of Moscow and wealthiest woman in Russia) in her libel claim against Times Newspapers. View Anna's profile.
Latest news
Pitt & Jolie win 'false privacy' case
News of the World agrees to apologise and pay damages. Find out more
New proposal for anonymity appeals
Law Commission recommends new statutory appeal for children denied anonymity
Amazon reviews case settles
Historian apologises and pays damages and costs over critical book reviews he posted under a pseudonym
Flood wins Reynolds appeal
Court of Appeal overturns finding that Times article was protected by Reynolds privilege
Second reading for Defamation Bill
House of Lords debates Lord Lester's Bill designed to reform defamation law
Fiddes v Channel 4 libel claim settles
Claimant discontinues claim over 'Jacksons Are Coming' documentary as trial about to commence
5RB news archive
Latest cases
Henderson v The London Borough of Hackney & The Learning Trust
08 July 2010
[2010] EWHC 1651 (QB)
Mariapori v Finland
06 July 2010
Application no. 37751/07
Fiddes v Channel Four Television Corporation & Ors (No 2) (CA)
29 June 2010
[2010] EWCA Civ 730
Thornton v Telegraph Media Group Ltd (No 2)
16 June 2010
[2010] EWHC 1414 (QB)
R (on the application of Harper and Johncox) v Aldershot Magistrates Court & Ors
08 June 2010
[2010] EWHC 1319