Cases

Brady v United Kingdom

Facts

The applicant, the infamous Moors murderer, received a visit at Ashworth Special Hospital from a woman who had previously written a book falsely claiming that she was his daughter. After the visit an article appeared in a newspaper alleging that the applicant had sexually assualted the woman during the visit. The applicant brought proceedings for malicious falsehood against the newspaper which were struck out because he was unable to prove any financial loss that he would suffer as a result of the publication. He was granted legal aid for the purposes of an opinion on the merits of an appeal and other possible casues of action against the newspaper and the author of the book, but legal aid was subsequently withdrawn. As a mental patient the applicant could only bring proceedings through a next friend who must act by a solicitor.

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