Year: 2004

No Appeal in ECHR Privacy Case

The deadline for an appeal against the decision of the European Court of Human Rights decision in the privacy case brought by Princess Caroline of Monaco expired last Friday. Some media lawyers had petitioned the German… Read More »

5RB top in Legal 500 Review

The annual Legal 500 review of the legal profession has named 5RB as a leading set both in Defamation and Media & Entertainment Law.   The independent survey praised the set for its “extensive expertise” and said 5RB continued… Read More »

McLibel pair in new appeal bid

An appeal arising from the longest-ever libel trial in British history begins today. Helen Steel and David Morris were sued for libel by the fast-food chain McDonald’s over a leaflet they distributed in 1996. After a 63-week trial, McDonald’s were… Read More »

Rave Reviews for Case Report Database!

We believe the new 5RB website has the largest collection of case reports and comments on media and entertainment law on the web. Early client feedback: “A truly great resource”, “Really helpful” If you haven’t… Read More »

Media lawyers urge challenge to privacy ruling

The Lawyer article UK press in-housers fight privacy ruling by Steve Hoare reports that Associated Newspapers’ head of legal, Harvey Kass, has contacted his peers in the national press asking them to support efforts to convince… Read More »

Farewell to Morland J

The valediction for Mr Justice Morland was held today before a packed Lord Chief Justice’s Court in the Royal Court of Justice in London.   Joined on the bench with the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Woolf, Lord… Read More »

5RB launches Law of Photography & Digital Images

5RB hosted a launch party yesterday for the new practitioner text by Christina Michalos, The Law of Photography & Digital Images.    Speaking at the 5RB launch party, Mr Justice Tugendhat said the book was an exceptional… Read More »

5RB.com launches today!

5RB underlines its premier status as a leading set of Chambers with the official launch of 5RB.com – its new website – at the 5RB Summer Party Wednesday 14th July.   Speaking before the official launch, website co-ordinator… Read More »

Law Commission Report on Local Authority Inquiries

The Law Commission’s Final Report on the publication of Local Authority Inquiry Reports was published today together with a draft Bill.   It makes major recommendations designed to enable local authorities to publish fair inquiry reports without… Read More »

BBC criticised for chef’s outburst

The TV Regulator Ofcom has upheld a complaint about a programme in the BBC series Trouble at the Top broadcast on BBC2 in March this year. A viewer had complained about former Michelin-starred chef, Tom… Read More »

Somerfield censured for radio ad

Radio advertisements for the supermarket Somerfield and the Carphone Warehouse have been censured by the advertising watchdog OFCOM in its latest report. Somerfield was ordered not to re-transmit an advert that used the words “faggots”… Read More »

5RB gives Contempt update

Richard Parkes QC and Sapna Jethani gave a seminar on recent developments in the law of contempt of court at the offices of Charles Russell on 5th July. Their talk ranged widely over issues such… Read More »

Care Home Libel Case Settled

Helen McArdle Care Limited and two directors of the company settled their libel action against the Newcastle Chronicle today.   The settlement came in the second week of a libel trial at Newcastle High Court… Read More »

Major Changes to Civil Appeals

The Court of Appeal has given guidance to the changes to civil appeals in Scribes West Ltd v Relsa Anstalt [2004] EWCA Civ 835 which take effect from 30 June 2004. Some of the changes… Read More »

Maccaba loses ‘Indecent Proposal’ Case

A multi-millionaire who sued a senior rabbi for slander over alleged sexual slurs against him has lost his case. Brian Maccaba, 45, of Hendon, north London, accused the rabbi of spreading “poisonous” claims he was… Read More »

Sebastian Coe fails in injunction bid

Patrick Milmo QC acted on behalf of Lord (Sebastian) Coe seeking an injunction to stop the Sunday Mirror and Mail on Sunday from disclosing information about his affair with Vanessa Lander and an abortion she… Read More »

Gray J Lecture on Literature and the Law

Mr Justice Gray has delivered this year’s Margaret Howard Memorial Lecture on Literature and the Law: Freedom of Expression – checking the balances.   Gray J discusses the most recent authorities on defamation, prior restraint,… Read More »

Ken Bates wins libel claim

Ken Bates was today awarded £9,000 in libel damages by a High Court jury in London over false allegations that he had sworn at a business man.   The former Chelsea Football Club chairman had… Read More »

Court of Appeal gives no-win no-fee guidance

Prospective cost capping procedure approved in defamation claims initiated under a CFA without ATE insurance cover   The Court of Appeal dismissed the Telegraph’s appeal which asked the court to make ‘dynamic case management’ orders… Read More »