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 »
5RB silks at 2013 Oxford International Media Moot
For the second year, 3 QCs from 5RB were among the judges at Oxford University’s Price International Media Law Moot Court. Joint Heads of Chambers Desmond Browne QC and Mark Warby QC were joined by former… Read More »
Reforming Civil Litigation – A report
A Bar Council working group has made a series of recommendations regarding reforms to civil litigation in the Chancery Division, Admiralty, Commercial and Technology and Construction Courts in a discussion document. The working group’s report… 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 »
Suspended prison sentence for Madeleine McCann contempt
A judge has imposed a suspended prison sentence for deliberate breaches of an undertaking given to the court on the settlement of a libel claim by Gerry and Kate McCann. In a judgment handed down… 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 »
Businessman awarded £7,500 for twitter campaign
A racing tipster has been awarded £7,500 damages for a large number of defamatory allegations which were tweeted to several hundred people. In October 2011 a group of owners, trainers and tipsters from Yorkshire were… Read More »
Naomi Campbell wins elephant cruelty libel claim
Naomi Campbell has settled her libel claim against the publishers of the Daily Telegraph with a joint Statement in Open Court read today before Mr Justice Eady and the payment of substantial damages and costs…. Read More »
Christina Michalos to address symposium
Christina Michalos has been invited to address the Law Commission Symposium on the law of contempt taking place on 16th January 2013. This is a half day symposium in conjunction with the Law Commission’s consultation paper on… Read More »
Community orders for data protection breaches?
Journalists prosecuted for offences under the Data Protection Act could be given community orders, including curfew orders, if existing amendments to the Act are brought into force, as proposed by the Leveson Report. Prison or fines… Read More »
Court of Appeal rules on Jameel abuse
Giving judgment for the defendant on appeal in Cammish v Hughes, the Court of Appeal struck out a claim using the Jameel jurisdiction, with costs as a condition of dismissal. A claim between two businessman… Read More »
Was prank call a crime?
Data protection specialists have suggested that the notorious prank call by Australian broadcasters to King Edward VII hospital “could constitute a criminal offence under UK data protection law”. If so, it is an offence which… Read More »
Leveson Report published
Today Lord Justice Leveson published his report into the Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press. The report makes findings about the operation of the press, its relationship with politicians and the police, and makes recommendations… Read More »
Law Commission launches consultation on Contempt of Court
The Law Commission today launched a consultation paper on Contempt of Court. The consultation paper deals with the following four areas: 1) contempt by publication; 2) the new media; 3) contempts committed by jurors; and 4)… Read More »
5RB Sponsors National Pro Bono Centre
5RB is proud to have become a Bronze Sponsor of the National Pro Bono Centre, located in Chancery Lane, after donating funds towards the Centre’s continuing work and development. Joint Head of Chambers Mark Warby… Read More »