Defamation/ Libel

21.12.21

Fighting fire with fire: making counter-allegations in response to a libel

It is normally defamatory to allege that a party has committed a serious crime.  However many publishees will choose to publicly rebut an allegation, accuse the publisher of dishonesty and/or make counter-allegations, rather than sue for libel.  But does this itself not put the accused at risk of being sued for defamation themselves?  The answer…

14.12.21

Press Release: Mensa pays Eugene Hopkinson libel damages

British Mensa Limited and its directors have agreed to pay defamation damages and costs to former director Eugene Hopkinson after publishing a series of statements that alleged he was responsible for a data leak and cyberattack and had deliberately attempted to harm Mensa and its membership. The settlement was announced at a hearing before Mr…

22.11.21

Should litigants in person get less leeway in libel cases?

The question of how much leeway a litigant-in-person should get when it comes to compliance with the Civil Procedure Rules (‘CPR’) and court orders is a long-argued and fraught one.  The concept of litigants-in-person being treated in the same way as those professionally represented has been eroded over time with concessions here and indulgences there….

21.10.21

Brett Wilson LLP and its lawyers recommended in Chambers and Partners 2022 directory

Brett Wilson LLP’s media and communications law and criminal defence departments have again been recommended by the prestigious Chambers and Partners directory. In the firm’s media and communications law department, partners Iain Wilson (noted for ‘having very good knowledge and understanding what a client wants), Max Campbell (‘outstanding knowledge, practical approach and amazing client service‘) and…

Tom Double rejoins Brett Wilson LLP as a partner

The firm is delighted to announce that Tom Double has rejoined Brett Wilson LLP as a partner in the firm’s highly-regarded media and communications law department. Tom originally joined Brett Wilson in May 2017 from Schillings International LLP.  In 2020/2021 he spent time at BLM, before returning to Brett Wilson LLP as a partner in…

4.10.21

Brett Wilson LLP’s departments and lawyers recognised by Legal 500

Brett Wilson LLP has again been recommended in three categories in the prestigious Legal 500 directory of leading law firms:- Reputation Management Professional Discipline Crime (General) Media and communications law partners Iain Wilson (described as ‘superb’) and Max Campbell (noted for his ‘brilliant judgement and [standing] out among solicitors in this area for his strategic approach’) have been…

7.09.21

Section 13 of the Defamation Act 2013 – Removal orders against non-parties

Section 13(1) of the Defamation Act 2013 allows a Court to order that a non-party to cease communicating a defendant’s defamatory statement.  Such an order can be made against a website operator, requiring them to remove the statement (section 13(a)), or any person who was not the author, editor or publisher of the defamatory who…

23.07.21

Tommy Robinson ordered to pay £100,000 in damages to schoolboy he defamed on Facebook

On 22 July 2021, Mr Justice Nicklin handed down judgment in the Hijazi v Yaxley defamation proceedings (Yaxley-Lennon is popularly known by his pseudonym, Tommy Robinson).  The full judgment (Hijazi v Yaxley-Lennon [2021] EWHC 2008 (QB)) can be found here. Early in the litigation Mr Yaxley-Lennon was represented by solicitors and lead Counsel.  In the…

8.07.21

Wagatha Christie: Court rules on strike out and summary judgment application

Background The ‘Wagatha Christie litigation’, as it is affectionately known, is the fascinating case of mistrust between friends and a sting operation to find a leak.  Colleen Rooney (wife of footballer Wayne) became concerned that ‘stories’ she was publishing to her private Instagram account – to which only her actual friends had access – were…

30.06.21

Adham Harker joins Brett Wilson LLP’s Media and Communications Law team

Adham Harker has joined Brett Wilson LLP’s Media and Communications Law team. Adham has advised and acted in a range of media, IP and commercial disputes from pre-action to trial, with extensive experience of Business & Property Court litigation. For Adham’s full biography, please click here.