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9.11.15

Social Media defamation: Richardson v Facebook/Richardson v Google UK Ltd: Appeals dismissed as wrong defendants sued

In Richardson v Facebook [2015] EWHC 3154 (QB) Mr Justice Warby dismissed the claimant’s appeals in two separate but similar claims for defamation and breach of Article 8 ECHR.  One claim was brought against ‘Facebook’ and the other against Google UK Ltd. The claims related to content published on Facebook and Google’s Blogger services, specifically a fake profile and a…

Paul Gascoigne made subject of restraining order following harassment conviction

On 29 October 2015 former footballer Paul Gascoigne pleaded guilty to harassment of his former partner, Amanda Thomas, contrary to section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.  Mr Gascoigne sent abusive messages and threats through a series of tweets, phone calls and text messages alongside being verbally aggressive at her place of work. Handing down…

6.11.15

Revenge Porn blackmail suspended sentence held too lenient by Court of Appeal

In Attorney General’s Reference (No.84 of 2015) sub nom R v Jamie Gabriel (2015) the Court of Appeal considered the appropriateness of a two-year prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, imposed for blackmail. The Defendant Mr Gabriel had commenced an online relationship with the married victim, where they had shared intimate pictures, ultimately culminating in their meeting…

4.11.15

Misuse of Private Information: ICO fines CPS £200,000 following theft of sex attack victims' interview videos

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been fined £200,000 by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for failing to take adequate data protection steps to ensure that video interviews of sex attack victims were stored securely. Interviews of 43 victims and witnesses were stored on two laptops that were stolen in a burglary in September 2014.  The videos were in the process…

30.10.15

Iain Wilson interviewed by The Tab on how the internet can turn against you through Cyberbullying

Brett Wilson LLP partner Iain Wilson features in the latest edition of the UK’s biggest student newspaper The Tab in an article by Bob Palmer on how the internet can turn against you.  A copy of the article can be found here.  

26.10.15

Burrell v Clifford: Limitation and Triviality in Breach of Confidence and Breach of Privacy Claims

The former royal butler, Paul Burrell, is suing Max Clifford, the publicist (now serving a custodial sentence for various indecent assaults), for breaching his confidence and his privacy.  In In Burrell v Clifford [2015] EWHC 2001 (Ch) Mr Justice Mann heard an application by Clifford to strike out the claim on the basis that it…

High Court grants injunction after celebrity revenge porn threat

In JPH v XYZ [2015] EWHC 2871 Mr Justice Popplewell considered an emergency application for an  injunction to restrain the publication of intimate images.  The application was made after the Defendant threatened to publish photographs and videos of the Claimant (a successful actor) which were of a sexual nature and created whilst they were in a relationship. The Defendant had threatened to post the videos and…

27.09.15

Vacancy: Solicitor 0-3 years PQE/Case Manager

Solicitor 0-3 years PQE/Case Manager Defamation/privacy and general civil litigation Full-time; start October 2015 Exciting opportunity for a junior lawyer at boutique litigation firm.  The successful candidate will work on defamation, privacy, harassment cases as well as more general civil litigation and regulatory matters. Applicants should be familiar with running their own caseloads and adept…

25.09.15

Corporate defamation claims and claims against anonymous parties

Brett Wilson LLP partner Iain Wilson is interviewed by Susan Ghaiwal.  This article was first published on Lexis® PSL IP&IT on 24 September 2015. Does Brett Wilson LLP v Persons Unknown highlight how courts should approach anonymity in online cases? Iain Wilson, partner at Brett Wilson LLP, explains that the judgment shows courts recognise the harm that anonymous…

20.09.15

Iain Wilson listed as Thomson Reuters Defamation Super Lawyer

Brett Wilson LLP Partner Iain Wilson has been listed in the 2015 Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers directory as a leading defamation practitioner. Iain has appeared in all three editions of the London directory. Click here to access Super Lawyer directories.