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11.06.17
Defamation cases: Number of defamation claims issued at a record low
The Ministry of Justice has published annual statistics which further suggest that London’s reputation as the ‘libel capital of the world’ might be undeserved. The 2016 figures show that only 112 claims were issued in the Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ) in London (all defamation claims must be issued in the High Court; the vast…
Read more16.03.17
Court orders Katie Hopkins to pay £24,000 in damages in Twitter libel case
The food blogger, journalist and left-wing political activist Jack Monroe has been awarded £24,000 in damages by the High Court following two tweets sent by the MailOnline (and former Sun) columnist Katie Hopkins in May 2015. Factual background On 9 May 2015, two days after the General Election, the words “Fuck Tory Scum” were spray painted on…
Read more21.06.16
UKIP politician ordered to pay £40,000 damages to two Labour MPs in libel case
Two Labour MPs, Sir Kevin Barron and John Healey, have each been awarded £40,000 in damages as a result of libelous comments made about them during an interview by a political rival on national television. Liability had already been determined and there was subsequently a hearing to determine quantum. Background The claimants in this case…
Read more15.02.16
Defamation: case law update on the application of the 'serious harm' test
In Alvaro Sobrinho v Impressa Publishing SA [2016] EWHC 66 (QB) the High Court held that an article written in a Portuguese publication about allegedly illegal activity carried out by a banker did not satisfy the ‘serious harm’ test as set out in section 1(1) of the Defamation Act 2013. The Court also held that…
Read more25.09.15
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…
Read more30.07.15
Statistics show that the number of defamation claims are on the rise
The number of defamation claims that were issued in 2014 have risen by 60% when compared to 2013 figures according to Judicial Statistics published in June by Court Statistics Quarterly: Jan-Mar. This is a surprising trend given the widespread suggestion that the implementation of the Defamation Act 2013 would dissuade a large number of people…
Read more27.10.14
Lady Gaga pony libel claim settled
On 21 October 2014, the High Court considered a libel claim surrounding a polo pony named Lady Gaga in the case of Louisa Donovan and Katie Gibbons [2014] EWHC 3406 (QB). His Honour Judge Richard Parkes QC was asked to determine the meaning of a caption that accompanied Youtube videos of Lady Gaga bucking. The…
Read more8.10.14
The end of jury trials in libel claims?
The decision in Tim Yeo MP v Times Newspapers [2014] EWHC 2853 (QB) is the first to engage section 11 of the Defamation Act 2013, specifically that a trial is to be ‘without a jury unless the court orders otherwise’. Mr Justice Warby refused an application made by the Defendant, The Times Newspapers to proceed…
Read more3.09.14
Serious harm: the new hurdle in defamation cases
Following the implementation of the Defamation Act 2013, defamation claimants must demonstrate that the publication in question caused or is likely to cause ‘serious harm’ to their reputation. Since the enactment, there has been significant speculation as to what measure of harm will suffice and to what extent this changes the very definition of ‘defamatory’. …
Read more24.02.14
The Defamation Act 2013 – Iain Wilson writes about the new law in the Law Society Gazette
Iain Wilson writes in the Law Society Gazette about the implementation and impact of the Defamation Act 2013. The article can be found here: http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/legal-updates/the-defamation-act-2013/5039959.article
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Articles are intended as an introduction to the topic and do not constitute legal advice.
