Supreme Court grants PTA in Lachaux
On 21 March 2018, the UK Supreme Court (Lord Kerr, Lord Reed and Lady Black) granted permission to appeal to Independent Print Limited (‘IPL’) in the leading case on the interpretation of section 1(1) of… Read More »
New defamation textbook publications
December 2017 saw two new publications of textbooks for defamation practitioners: The 2nd Supplement to the 12th Edition of Gatley on Libel and Slander The Second Supplement includes full updates on all developments in defamation… Read More »
Katie Hopkins refused permission to appeal
The Court of Appeal has refused permission to appeal to Katie Hopkins, who had sought to challenge the decision at trial of Warby J in the ‘Twitter Libel Trial’: Jack Monroe v Katie Hopkins [2017] EWHC… Read More »
Scottish Law Commission proposes defamation reforms
On 14 December 2017 the Scottish Law Commission published its report recommending reform of defamation law in Scotland. The report proposes changes including the introduction of a serious harm requirement, a reduction in the limitation period… Read More »
“The pre-eminent set”: Chambers UK
5RB is the only set of chambers listed as ‘Band 1’ for Defamation and Privacy work in the newly published Chambers UK Bar Guide for 2018. The set and members are also recommended in the field… Read More »
5RB ‘dominates the field’ in Legal 500
Legal directory The Legal 500’s edition for 2017 has the following praise for Chambers: 5RB is ‘a forward-thinking set’ that ‘solicitors would go to first every time for media law.’ Chambers ‘just dominates the defamation and… Read More »
‘Serious harm’ appeals dismissed
The case represents the first opportunity that the Court of Appeal has had to consider the meaning and effect of s.1(1) of the Defamation Act 2013. The judgment addresses this matter as well as a… Read More »
Consultant wins Dental CPD dispute
Business consultant Dr Andrew Guise has won his claims for libel, harassment and breach of the Data Protection Act 1998 over a website created about him by entrepreneur Rajeev Shah. Dr Guise had provided services… Read More »
Hiranandani-Vandrevala makes statement in open court
On 3 May 2017 Ms Priya Hiranandani-Vandrevala made a Statement in Open Court, marking the end of her legal action against Times Newspapers Ltd. The article in question was published in August 2015 and referred… Read More »
Sex Offender Fails in Defamation Claim
Express Newspapers and Associated Newspapers have succeeded in obtaining summary judgment against a Claimant with a previous conviction for a sexual offence on the basis of lack of serious harm to reputation. Both publishers had in error used… Read More »
Timeshare Company wins Libel Damages
A company which specialises in assisting people to exit timeshare contracts was awarded damages and an injunction for libel at the Liverpool Civil Justice Centre on Monday. TESS (Timeshare Exit and Support Services) Limited (‘TESS’)… Read More »
Nadhim Zahawi awarded £200,000 libel damages
Nadhim Zahawi has been awarded £200,000 in libel damages in his claim against Press TV and Press TV Ltd. Mr Zahawi, who at the time of the publication complained of was the Conservative MP for… Read More »
Founder of the Islam Channel awarded £140,000 in libel damages
In a judgment handed down on 30 March 2017 Sir David Eady, sitting as a Judge of the High Court, awarded Mohamed Ali Harrath, the founder and CEO of the Islam Channel, £140,000 in libel… Read More »
Jack Monroe wins libel claim against Katie Hopkins
In a judgment handed down by Mr Justice Warby on 10 March 2017, Jack Monroe has won £24,000 in damages at the trial of her libel claim against Katie Hopkins. Writer and journalist Monroe brought… Read More »
Mr Justice Warby to head new list for media-related cases
It has been announced that as of 1 March 2017 there will be a new list within the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court – the Media and Communications List. Mr Justice Warby is… Read More »
Council apologises for false abuse letter
Northamptonshire County Council has today apologised in court to Theo Taylor for the publication of a letter from a social worker in its social services department which led to Mr Taylor’s child being removed. In… Read More »
Truth defence ruled out in charity case
The High Court has refused to grant three defendants permission to plead a defence of truth, but has allowed the third defendant a further opportunity to formulate a public interest defence, in the case of Suresh… Read More »
Supreme Court refuses Simpson permission to appeal
The Supreme Court has today refused Leicester City footballer Danny Simpson permission to appeal in his libel claim against MGN, publisher of the Daily Mirror. In July 2016 the Court of Appeal allowed MGN’s appeal… Read More »
Lachaux appeal hearing begins
The Court of Appeal hearing in Lachaux v AOL (UK), Independent Print Ltd & Evening Standard Ltd begins today. The appeal is being heard in Court 72 by Lord Justice McFarlane, Lord Justice Davis and Lady Justice… Read More »
Neighbours’ dispute leads to £32,080 award of damages
The High Court has awarded £32,080 to a man who had been subjected to a campaign of harassment by his neighbour, which included the making of slanderous comments and a false report of a sex… Read More »