Year: 2009

BBC apologises to Trafigura

Yesterday the BBC joined with Trafigura in a statement in open court withdrawing and apologising for allegations made against Trafigura on Newsnight. The leading commodities trader Trafigura had brought a claim against the BBC over… Read More »

Barry George wins apology

A Statement in Open Court was read yesterday on behalf of Barry George in respect of his claims for libel against News Group Newspapers. Mr George was acquitted in August 2008 of murdering Jill Dando, after… Read More »

New Ofcom Broadcasting Code

Ofcom today launched its revised 2009 Broadcasting Code which sets updated rules for TV and radio broadcasts.  The revised Code is effective from 16 December. Revisions include clarification of audience competitions, voting and the broadcast of… Read More »

Interbrew rulings breached Article 10

Five UK media organisations have today won a significant ruling from the European Court of Human Rights upholding their right to protect journalistic sources. Financial Times Ltd, Independent News & Media Ltd, Guardian Newspapers Ltd, Times Newspapers Ltd… Read More »

Eady J gives keynote speech

The current debate over privacy rights and libel tourism has been ill-served by personal attacks on judges and exaggeration in the press, Mr Justice Eady told the audience at Tuesday’s JUSTICE-Thomson Reuters ‘Free Speech v… Read More »

Convicted murderer’s libel action fails

A man serving a 22 year minimum sentence for the murder of a woman during an armed robbery has had his libel claim struck out. Peter Williams issued a claim in relation to an article published… Read More »

Defamation actions on the increase

The number of defamation claims issued in the High Court rose by 11% during 2008 according to a review published by city law firm, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain. The analysis of the latest Judicial Statistics reveals that 259… Read More »

Peacock settles libel action

The model Matt Peacock has settled his libel case against the Sunday Mirror with the newspaper paying him damages and costs. The trial was due to take place in December. In a unilateral statement read… Read More »

Wikipedia sued by convicted killers

Two men convicted of a notorious murder in Germany are reportedly suing Wikimedia Foundation, the American organisation that runs Wikipedia, seeking to have their names removed from entries about the murder. The two men were famously convicted in 1990 of killing… Read More »

5RB tops Chambers & Partners review

5RB has once again been named as a leading set for Defamation & Privacy and Media & Entertainment Law in the annual Chambers & Partners review of the legal profession, with members of 5RB also recommended… Read More »

PCC publishes phone tapping report

The PCC has published a report following claims by the Guardian  that journalists at the News of the World had used private investigators to listen to the voicemail messages of many high profile public figures in pursuit… Read More »

Ofcom dismisses arrest privacy complaint

A complaint about a BSkyB series, which pictured a man being questioned, searched and arrested by police has not been upheld. Paul Mawson complained that an edition of the programme Road Wars, which followed police officers from… Read More »

Ronaldo accepts libel damages

Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year and former Manchester United star, today accepted substantial damages and an apology from the publishers of The Mirror in respect of an article in July 2008 alleging… Read More »

Richard Parkes QC joins the bench

The Lord Chancellor has today announced the appointment of Richard Parkes QC to the circuit bench, with effect from 17th November. Richard was called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn in 1977 and joined what is… Read More »

Cole settles privacy claim

England and Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole, married to X Factor judge Cheryl Cole, has settled his privacy action against The Sun and the Daily and Sunday Mirror newspapers over “kiss-and-tell” stories about alleged relationships with… Read More »

Kate Winslet wins libel apology ruling

Kate Winslet was yesterday permitted to make a statement in open court as part of an Offer of Amends settlement. She sought permission to make the unilateral statement following what she regarded as an insufficient apology by… Read More »

5RB member runs New York marathon

Victoria Shore, a member of 5RB, ran the New York Marathon today in a terrific 3 hours 32 minutes.   Victoria, a seasoned distance runner, trained for several weeks for the race and has raised over £2600 for… Read More »

5RB welcomes new tenant

5RB is pleased to announce that Patrick McCafferty has joined chambers following successful completion of his pupillage. Joint head of 5RB, Adrienne Page QC, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Patrick to chambers following his successful years… Read More »

Science writer gets leave to appeal

The science writer Simon Singh today successfully overturned the earlier refusal by the Court of Appeal to grant permission to appeal in relation to a ruling on meaning and comment in the libel action brought against him by… Read More »

Wine connoisseur toasts victory

The internationally renowned wine connoisseur and former head of Christie’s wine department, Michael Broadbent, has succeeded in his claim against the publisher Random House. He sued in regard to the publication of The Billionaire’s Vinegar, which chronicled the… Read More »