Watchdog rules against ‘violent’ advert
The Advertising Standards Authority has today ruled that an advertisement for the Newspaper Marketing Agency printed in a number of national newspapers was violent and offensive and should not be used again. The advertisement, which appeared in… Read More »
Jameel Appeals in the CA
The hearing of the Defendants’ appeals from the decisions against them in the cases of Jameel & another v Wall Street Journal and Jameel v Dow Jones & Company Inc starts in the Court of Appeal today…. Read More »
Independent Press is ‘fundamental’
Deputy Chief Justice, Lord Justice Judge, speaking today at the Law for Journalists Conference in London said that the freedom of the press was of ‘inestimable value’. Giving the keynote address at the beginning of… Read More »
Daily Star found guilty of contempt
The Divisional Court (Rose LJ and Pitchford J) has found Express Newspapers guilty of contempt of court over the Daily Star‘s coverage of a case involving two Premiership footballers and fined the newspaper group £60,000. In September 2003… Read More »
Freedom of information update
With just over one month to go before the Freedom of Information Act 2000 comes into force on 1 January 2005, Jonathan Barnes of 5RB will outline the Act’s operation and how it might be… Read More »
5RB @ Media Law Conference
Desmond Browne QC and Mark Warby QC of 5RB will be speaking at the second annual Management Forum Media Law Conference on 26 January 2005 which will be chaired by Christina Michalos, also of 5RB. Mark… Read More »
Polanski in the Lords
The Franco-Polish film director Roman Polanski began his appeal yesterday against a decision refusing him permission to give his evidence in a forthcoming libel action via video link from France. Last November, the Court… Read More »
Reynolds under new ECHR spotlight
The European Court of Human Rights has this week handed down a significant judgment which may require the English court to review its approach to the application of the public interest qualified privilege defence under… Read More »
Galloway libel case reaches court
The trial of George Galloway’s libel action against the Daily Telegraph commences today before Mr Justice Eady. The case concerns allegations that the Glasgow Kelvin MP accepted £375,000 in oil money from Saddam Hussein’s regime,… Read More »
Media access to prosecution materials
On 4 November the CPS issued guidance on the types of prosecution materials that can be released to the media and on what conditions. Further clarification became necessary after concern was expressed over an earlier statement by the… Read More »
ECJ defines database right
The European Court of Justice has given judgment in the case of British Horseracing Board v William Hill, explaining many of the terms in the Database Directive for the first time. The British Horseracing Board (‘BHB’)… Read More »
Family court judges give evidence to Parliament
Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss P, Wall LJ and Munby J have been giving evidence to a Constitutional Affairs Select Committee about the operation of the Family Courts. The primary question on which the Committee sought evidence from the judges… Read More »
5RB top in Chambers & Partners Review
The 2005 Chambers & Partners Guide has named 5RB as a leading set in Defamation/Privacy and recommended 5RB members as ‘notable practitioners’ in Media & Entertainment. The independent survey singled out 5RB for praise, recommending seventeen 5RB barristers (including all 6 QCs): more than any… Read More »
‘Bonnard’ Libel Rule Reaffirmed
An appeal in which a claimant was trying to challenge the established rules about the grant of libel injunctions has been dismissed. Martha Greene failed in her attempt to obtain an injunction to restrain the Mail… Read More »
5RB first with ECHR Radio France ruling
5RB publishes today an English translation of the European Court of Human Rights’ decision in Radio France v France. This interesting and important decision was issued in March 2004, but has only been available in… Read More »
Schwarzenegger faces libel claim
The High Court in London today ruled that a libel claim brought by the English TV presenter, Anna Richardson could continue against Arnold Schwarzenegger and other Defendants over remarks alleged to have been made following… Read More »
Lords uphold freedom to report
The House of Lords has dismissed the appeal from the decision of the Court of Appeal in Re S [2004] Fam 43. The appeal was brought on behalf of a child whose mother is soon to stand… Read More »
Global acclaim for Gatley
The 10th edition of Gatley – the authoritative text on Libel and Slander – continues to win excellent reviews across the globe. In a recent review by Roy Baker at the Communications Law Centre at the… Read More »
Collins Stewart damages claim trimmed
The High Court today struck out a significant part of the special damages claim made by investment bank Collins Stewart Tullett Plc against the Financial Times. The bank was seeking around £240m in special damages for an… Read More »
Don King libel case continues
The Court of Appeal has ruled that Don King’s libel action against Lennox Lewis and two other defendants over allegations made on an American website can be brought in the English Courts. Upholding an… Read More »