Counsellor receives apology
Associated Newspapers has made a statement in open court apologising to Baylissa Frederick for the publication of articles about her in the Daily Mail and on MailOnline. Ms Frederick works as a counsellor. She is… Read More »
Line-dancing teacher receives apology from rival over libellous claims
My Myers, a popular teacher who runs a line-dancing school in Harrow, London, received an apology by way of a statement in open court from a competitor who had unjustly accused him of aggressive tactics and… Read More »
Russell Brand accepts libel damages and apology
A libel claim brought by comedian Russell Brand over an article published in the Sun on Sunday in November 2013 was concluded today with a statement in open court read before Mr Justice Tugendhat. The… Read More »
Judge awards Claimants £45,000 each
Mohammad Asghar, a Member of the Welsh Assembly, and Abdul Rahman Mujahid, a businessman active in the South Wales Muslim community, have each been awarded £45,000 following a trial in the Cardiff District Registry to… Read More »
New edition of Gatley on Libel and Slander out now
The new edition, fully updated and revised to include coverage of the Defamation Act 2013, is now available. The editing team on the 12th Ed. includes three members of 5RB: Godwin Busuttil and Adam Speker… Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Former Tory Treasurer awarded £180,000 against Sunday Times
The former Treasurer of the Conservative Party, Peter Cruddas, has won his legal battle with the Sunday Times after being awarded £180,000 against the newspaper and two of its Insight journalists. The action for libel and malicious falsehood arose… Read More »
Surfer wins damages
Yachting World has apologised in open court to Mr Tristram Cokes over a false allegation that he had served time for cocaine smuggling and agreed to pay him substantial libel damages. Mr Cokes has been… Read More »
Defamation Act receives Royal Assent
The Defamation Bill has completed all its Parliamentary stages, and having received Royal Assent has become the Defamation Act 2013. The Act requires a Statutory Instrument to bring it into force. Justice Minister Lord McNally… Read More »
CJC report on defamation costs published
The Working Group put together by the Civil Justice Council (CJC) to look into costs protection options in defamation and related proceedings published its final report yesterday. The report sets out a number of recommendations… Read More »
Croatian Actor wins damages for “Nazi war criminal” error
A Croatian actor has accepted undisclosed libel damages after The Independent wrongly identified him as a Nazi war criminal. Ljubomir Jurkovic brought libel proceedings against the newspaper after his photograph was used to illustrate a front page story about the death of… Read More »
Blogger loses libel claim against Council
A Blogger, who runs a website called Carmarthenshire Planning Problems and More, has lost her libel claim against a Council and its Chief Executive. Jacqui Thompson had achieved some nationwide publicity when she was arrested… Read More »
Banker libel case settles
The parties in Qadir v Associated Newspapers Ltd have reached a settlement. Former banker Irfan Qadir has reached a settlement with Associated Newspapers over the publication in the Mail on Sunday in 2011 of two… Read More »
Google can be liable as publisher
The Court of Appeal today handed down its long-awaited judgment in Tamiz v Google Inc. It is the first case, following a sequence of High Court decisions such as Godfrey v Demon Internet, Bunt v Tilley… Read More »
Local council and newspaper pay substantial damages
Two female taxi drivers have accepted substantial compensation in settlement of their claim for libel against Fenland District Council and Archant Regional Limited. Yesterday a statement in open court was read on behalf of the… Read More »
Peter Cruddas awarded £45k for breach of election law libel
Peter Cruddas, Executive Chairman of CMC Markets and former co-Treasurer of the Conservative Party, has today been awarded libel damages of £45,000 in the High Court against Mark Adams, the lobbyist and former Private Secretary… Read More »