Tag Archives: libel reform

Is the libel tourism tide turning?

Posted on February 24, 2011 by

A Ukrainian businessman’s case against a Ukrainian newspaper has been declared outside the UK’s jurisdiction, by a Queen’s Bench master at the Royal Courts of Justice today. Master Leslie said that the connection to the UK jurisdiction was tenuous, but … Continue reading →

Posted in defamation, media law | Tagged , | 3 Comments

What happens to the hundreds of defamation claims each year?

Posted on January 14, 2011 by

The Inforrm blog has an excellent piece on what happens to defamation actions in England & Wales. It reports that while there are between 200 and 300 defamation claims each year, very few are disposed of at hearings, let alone … Continue reading →

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MST: Libel and the public – we're all publishers now

Posted on January 13, 2011 by

I’ve written a short piece for the Media Standards Trust blog about libel reform and the public, in regards to online publishing. I look at the multiple publication rule and why I think we’re only at the very beginning of … Continue reading →

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Event: Libel reform: in the public’s interest?

Posted on January 11, 2011 by

Tonight I’m off to an Inforrm / Media Standards Trust debate at Gray’s Inn looking at the implications of libel reform for the public. More about it here. It The event will be chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy.  The panel … Continue reading →

Posted in defamation, media law | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Monday media law mop up: Clegg on libel, NOTW suspension & Twitter debates

Posted on January 10, 2011 by

The week’s media law & ethics stories that caught Meeja Law’s eye… Phone hacking Big developments in this story, as the Guardian revealed the suspension of News of the World’s assistant editor (news), Ian Edmondson, “following a “serious allegation” related … Continue reading →

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Reframing Libel: Mullis and Scott propose two stream libel regime, with only most unusual cases going to High Court

Posted on November 12, 2010 by

This post was cross-posted on the Inforrm Blog. A two stream libel regime with most cases heard in the County Court or a tribunal, would reduce complexity and costs, argue Professor Alastair Mullis, from the University of East Anglia (left), … Continue reading →

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A year on from the ‘Free Speech is Not for Sale’ report

Posted on November 11, 2010 by

A year has passed since Index on Censorship and English PEN published its Free Speech is Not for Sale report. Journalist and author Simon Singh, who successfully fought a libel action brought against him by the BCA (they dropped the … Continue reading →

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Costs, corporations and citizen critics discussed at libel reform debate

Posted on November 5, 2010 by

Does Lord Lester’s defamation bill go far enough; and do his propositions make for workable libel laws? Panellists and speakers addressed a wide array of issues at yesterday’s Reframing Libel event at City University London. As my colleagues Oliver O’Callaghan … Continue reading →

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Are England’s libel laws relevant in an age of blogging?

Posted on September 15, 2010 by

Speaking on a panel at last night’s Online News Association / Index on Censorship ‘Bloggers in the Dock’ event, Stephens argued for the “innate good sense of crowds”. If a forum or site hosts all forms of opinion “we are then able to make up our minds about the issues of the day.” Continue reading →

Posted in blogging, defamation, events, media law | Tagged , | 3 Comments

A new libel reform symposium chaired by Lord Lester

Posted on September 14, 2010 by

I’ve been working with Connie St Louis at City University London on a new symposium called ‘Reframing Libel’, which will take place on November 4th 2010. Continue reading →

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