Law Commission Report on Local Authority Inquiries
The Law Commission’s Final Report on the publication of Local Authority Inquiry Reports was published today together with a draft Bill. It makes major recommendations designed to enable local authorities to publish fair inquiry reports without… Read More »
BBC criticised for chef’s outburst
The TV Regulator Ofcom has upheld a complaint about a programme in the BBC series Trouble at the Top broadcast on BBC2 in March this year. A viewer had complained about former Michelin-starred chef, Tom… Read More »
5RB gives Contempt update
Richard Parkes QC and Sapna Jethani gave a seminar on recent developments in the law of contempt of court at the offices of Charles Russell on 5th July. Their talk ranged widely over issues such… Read More »
Somerfield censured for radio ad
Radio advertisements for the supermarket Somerfield and the Carphone Warehouse have been censured by the advertising watchdog OFCOM in its latest report. Somerfield was ordered not to re-transmit an advert that used the words “faggots”… Read More »
Care Home Libel Case Settled
Helen McArdle Care Limited and two directors of the company settled their libel action against the Newcastle Chronicle today. The settlement came in the second week of a libel trial at Newcastle High Court… Read More »
Major Changes to Civil Appeals
The Court of Appeal has given guidance to the changes to civil appeals in Scribes West Ltd v Relsa Anstalt [2004] EWCA Civ 835 which take effect from 30 June 2004. Some of the changes… Read More »
Maccaba loses ‘Indecent Proposal’ Case
A multi-millionaire who sued a senior rabbi for slander over alleged sexual slurs against him has lost his case. Brian Maccaba, 45, of Hendon, north London, accused the rabbi of spreading “poisonous” claims he was… Read More »
Princess Caroline in victory over paparazzi pictures
The European Court of Human Rights has handed down a landmark judgment on privacy that is likely further to shape the development of domestic privacy law. Princess Caroline of Monaco was unsuccessful in the German… Read More »
Sebastian Coe fails in injunction bid
Patrick Milmo QC acted on behalf of Lord (Sebastian) Coe seeking an injunction to stop the Sunday Mirror and Mail on Sunday from disclosing information about his affair with Vanessa Lander and an abortion she… Read More »
Gray J Lecture on Literature and the Law
Mr Justice Gray has delivered this year’s Margaret Howard Memorial Lecture on Literature and the Law: Freedom of Expression – checking the balances. Gray J discusses the most recent authorities on defamation, prior restraint,… Read More »
Ken Bates wins libel claim
Ken Bates was today awarded £9,000 in libel damages by a High Court jury in London over false allegations that he had sworn at a business man. The former Chelsea Football Club chairman had… Read More »
Court of Appeal gives no-win no-fee guidance
Prospective cost capping procedure approved in defamation claims initiated under a CFA without ATE insurance cover The Court of Appeal dismissed the Telegraph’s appeal which asked the court to make ‘dynamic case management’ orders… Read More »
Maxine Carr Identity Injunction Upheld
Mr Justice Eady has continued an injunction banning the media from publishing information about the new identity and whereabouts of Maxine Carr after evidence was presented to the Court of “far more explicit” threat to kill her…. Read More »
Sony Radio Awards 2004
Gold award: Johnnie Walker Station of the year: UK BBC Radio 4 The news story award: Jeremy Bowen: The Capture of Saddam Hussein BBC Radio 5 Live & Ten Alps for 5 Live The news… Read More »
Attempt to Gag C4 Dispatches Fails
Mr Justice Mann has refused an application to restrain broadcast of a Channel Four documentary in the Dispatches series due for transmission on Thursday 13 May 2004. The programme centres on the growing industry… Read More »
Douglas v Hello!
The damages judgment in Douglas v Hello! has been handed down. The new ruling follows Lindsay J’s judgment in April on liability in which the Court held that held that Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and OK!… Read More »
Royal Controversy
A number of members of chambers have been involved in the recent controversy arising from the Mail On Sunday’s attempt to publish allegations of an incident in the Royal household. Desmond Browne QC and Jonathan… Read More »
Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003
The Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003 SI 2003/2498 came into force in October 2003. The Regulations bolster the protection of copyright in a digital / information society, and introduce several new and important changes… Read More »
Patrick Milmo QC Steps Down
Patrick Milmo QC has stepped down as Head of Chambers after fifteen years. Members of Chambers would like to thank Patrick for his hard work and leadership throughout that period and are pleased that he… Read More »
Tugendhat QC appointed to the Bench
The members of Five Raymond Buildings are proud to announce that Michael Tugendhat QC has been appointed to the High Court Bench. He will be assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division and will sit as… Read More »