New time limit for defamation jury trial applications
The Civil Procedure Rules are to be amended to the effect that an application for trial by jury in a defamation claim will now have to be made at the first Case Management Conference. This… Read More »
Law Commission recommends contempt exemption for online archives
The Law Commission has published a report making its recommendations for law reform relating to contempt by jurors and modern media aspects of contempt by publication. 5RB’s Godwin Busuttil and Christina Michalos contributed to the… Read More »
AGO to publish advisory notes online
The Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC MP has announced that his Office will in future publish advisory notes online, and publicise them by way of the AGO Twitter feed, @AGO_UK. The notes, which were previously… Read More »
High Court hearing in construction industry “blacklisting” claims
On Friday 29 November the High Court heard from lawyers acting for 4 groups of claimants in actions brought over the alleged “blacklisting” of workers in the construction industry. Master Whitaker gave directions for all… Read More »
Court of Appeal dismisses costs appeal in Mitchell “Plebgate” libel case
In an important ruling, the Court of Appeal has dismissed Andrew Mitchell’s appeal and upheld Master McCloud’s decisions: (1) that having failed to file his costs budget in time, Mr Mitchell was to be treated as… Read More »
Mark Warby QC named in Who’s Who Legal
Who’s Who Legal have named Mark Warby QC as one of the 20 leading lawyers in the world across the areas of sport, gaming/gambling, entertainment and at the UK Bar. He is listed as one of… Read More »
Defamation Act 2013 to come into force on 1 January 2014
Justice Minister Lord McNally has confirmed that the Defamation Act 2013 will come into force on 1 January 2014. The Act received Royal Assent on 25 April of this year, but requires an Order from… Read More »
Costs in defamation and privacy proceedings
The Ministry of Justice has produced its consultation paper on costs in defamation and privacy claims. It is looking for practitioners’ views on proposed changes to the costs regime following the impending changes to CFAs… Read More »
Defamation Act 2013 talks
Book your place – limited places remaining! 1 CPD hour 5RB is pleased to announce that we will be hosting talks on the new Defamation Act in London, Leeds and Manchester. The details for the… Read More »
Matthew Nicklin QC to speak at corporate forum
Matthew Nicklin QC will be speaking at Legal Week’s Corporate Governance and Risk Forum on the 21 November 2013, Park Lane Hotel, London. Matthew’s session at 11am is entitled “Trial by media… the risk to… Read More »
ECHR: Liability of Website Operators for User Comments not a breach
In its 10 October 2013 judgment in the case of Delfi AS v Estonia, the European Court of Human Rights found no breach of the applicant’s Article 10 rights where the domestic court had found… Read More »
New Criminal Practice Directions
The Lord Chief Justice has handed down new Criminal Practice Directions which came into effect on 7 October 2013. The Directions include, at Part 5B, a summary of the current practice and procedure applicable to… Read More »
5RB is looking to expand
In conjunction with a forthcoming move to new and larger premises, 5RB encourages applications for tenancy from established practitioners in our specialist fields, and related practice areas. 5RB’s best-know practice areas are defamation and privacy, in which… Read More »
5RB welcomes Gervase de Wilde
5RB is pleased to announce that Gervase de Wilde has been recruited as our newest tenant of chambers following successful completion of his pupillage. He was supervised by Adam Wolanski, Adam Speker, Jonathan Barnes, and William… Read More »
Dame Victoria Sharp sworn in as a Lady Justice of Appeal
Former 1 Brick Court libel silk Dame Victoria Sharp was today sworn in as a Lady Justice of Appeal. After graduating from Bristol University, Victoria Sharp joined 1 Brick Court in 1982 and took silk in 2001. She was… Read More »
Social media marketing: new legal guide
Two 5RB barristers have contributed to a new guide to the legal risks of marketing via social media. Practical Legal Guidance in the Use of Social Media Marketing aims to help marketers Understand the legal traps in… Read More »
Blackstone’s Guide to the Defamation Act 2013 published
Blackstone’s Guide to the Defamation Act 2013 is published by Oxford University Press today. The Guide combines analysis of the new Act from experts at 5RB, with full text of the Act, its Explanatory Notes… Read More »
MoJ Consultation on s.5 Operators of Websites Regulations Guidance
The Ministry of Justice is consulting on the Guidance and FAQs which accompany newly issued draft Regulations under s. 5 Defamation Act 2013. Section 5 of the Act outlines a new defence to defamation claims… Read More »
Lance Armstrong settles Sunday Times case over defamation damages
Lance Armstrong and the Sunday Times have reached a “mutually acceptable final resolution” to the High Court case brought by the Sunday Times’ to reclaim the £300,000 paid to Armstrong in damages, plus £720,000 in… Read More »
NFU win injunction against Badger Cull Protesters
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) successfully obtained an injunction against Badger Cull protesters. The NFU applied for an injunction to prohibit harassment of farmers, land owners and those involved in the Badger Cull pilot schemes. The NFU’s evidence showed… Read More »