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 »
Middle Temple Visit to Washington DC
Three members of 5RB attended the Middle Temple’s Amity Visit to Washington DC this month and contributed to a session on Restrictions on Media Communications in the interests of Truth and Privacy held at the… 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 »
Supreme Court refuses permission in DPA/libel claim
The Supreme Court has refused the application of London-based Arabic-language web news publisher Elaph Publishing Ltd for permission to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision allowing Prince Moulay Hicham of Morocco to bring claims… 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 »
No preliminary issue on serious harm
Warby J has refused an application for the issue of serious harm to be tried by way of preliminary issue in Nick Brown MP’s libel claim against Tom Bower and Faber & Faber. Mr Brown… 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 »
Media and Communications List Consultation
Having taken charge of the new “Media and Communications List” within the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court on 1 March 2017, Mr Justice Warby is now seeking the views of its users on… 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 »
Supreme Court unanimously dismisses appeals by media defendants
The Supreme Court has given judgment in the joined appeals brought by the defendants in Gary Flood v Times Newspapers , Frost & others v MGN and Miller v Associated Newspapers. Each appeal challenged the… 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 »
Prince wins libel and DPA appeals
The Court of Appeal has rejected a news website publisher’s contention that bringing a claim for unfair and inaccurate processing under the Data Protection Act 1998 alongside a claim for libel was an abuse of process, and… Read More »
FlyMeNow awarded ‘minimal’ damages
Despite succeeding on liability at a trial in its claim for libel, FlyMeNow Limited has been awarded a ‘minimal’ amount of £10 by Mr Justice Warby against Quick Air Jet Charter GmbH. The claim was… Read More »
First order made under s.12 of the Defamation Act 2013
In the first use of the new power available under section 12 Defamation Act 2013, the High Court has ordered the UK broadcaster of ARY News and its Chief Operating Officer to broadcast a summary of the… Read More »