Cases

Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others

Comment

Applications for stays in libel proceedings to abide the result of some other proceedings have a very poor track record in defamation cases (see also Gee v BBC (30 July 1984), Sharma v Jay (No.2) and Fallon v MGN Ltd). In view of the Article 6 considerations identified by Eady J in this case and Fallon, it would now appear that a stay is unlikely to be granted unless the decision from the other proceedings is likely to have a significant and real impact on the libel proceedings. A criminal conviction for example would, if relevant to the libel case, be admissible and conclusive in relation to the allegation that gave rise to the conviction. The same cannot be said for disciplinary tribunals like the GMC.

Areas of work

Defamation
Media Law

Also