Media Law: Recent Work
Liam and Noel Gallagher
Following the commencement of proceedings for libel, Liam Gallagher has received the apology he had sought from his brother, Noel, over false comments made by Noel after Oasis had to cancel a gig due to Liam having laryngitis.
Boris Berezovsky
The Court of Appeal has upheld Boris Berezovsky’s win in his 2010 libel action against the Russian State Television channel RTR and Vladimir Terluk. In March 2010, Mr Berezovsky was awarded £150,000 in libel damages over allegations broadcast on the RTR satellite channel on its news programme, Vesti Nedeli. The Court of Appeal rejected all seven grounds of appeal advanced by Mr Terluk including his attempt to introduce what he claimed to be fresh evidence from Andrei Lugovoy, the man wanted by the British authorities for the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.
On 4 January 2012 The Guardian published an article by Claire Gill concerning this case.
JudgmentPress Release
Independent apologises over London riots libel
The Independent has apologised and paid damages to Merlin O'Doherty-Alb, a university student wrongly alleged to have participated in the London rioting of August 2011.
Joint Parliamentary Committee on Privacy and Injunctions
On 24 October 2010, at the Committee's invitation, Alasdair Pepper gave evidence before the Joint Committee of the House of Lords and House of Commons. Click here to view the evidence.
Evidence from Alasdair Pepper starts at 16:17 (1 hour 32 minutes in)
'''No win, no fee' – our only route to justice''
Together with seven other signatories, four Carter-Ruck clients (Hardeep Singh, Peter Murray, Parameswaran Subramanyam and Peter Duffy) have signed an open letter published in the Guardian concerning the government's proposed changes to litigation funding and their potential impact on access to justice. In the letter the signatories explain that without recourse to a "no win, no fee" agreement, they would have been unable to obtain justice by taking or defending civil claims against powerful corporations or wealthy individuals.
The Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press
Adam Tudor and Isabel Hudson are advising Kate and Gerry McCann in relation to their status as 'Core Participants' in the Leveson Inquiry
Click here for an article in which Isabel Hudson considers some of the heated debates on press regulation which have taken place in the opening stages of the Inquiry.
Craig Whyte
Carter-Ruck is advising Rangers FC and its Chairman, Craig Whyte, in respect of the BBC Scotland programme "Rangers - the Inside Story" broadcast on 20 October.
'Super-injunction' article
An article by Nigel Tait about the "super-injunction" obtained by Trafigura against The Guardian in 2009 has been published by Legal Week and on the "inforrm" media blog.
Sergei Polonsky
The Russian businessman Sergei Polonsky has this week initiated a legal claim for libel against Evening Standard and Independent owner Alexander Lebedev.
Phone Hacking Cases
Carter-Ruck is currently representing a number of clients in claims arising out of the phone hacking scandal.
If you require advice on these matters, please contact Nigel Tait or Alasdair Pepper.
Ofcom Vindication for Al Jazeera
The UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom has ruled in favour of the news channel Al Jazeera English following a complaint about its series on the 'Palestine Papers', the largest leak of confidential documents in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ofcom dismissed every element of the complaint brought by Dr Saeb Erakat on behalf of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).
The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill
Carter-Ruck has made a written submission to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee, explaining how many ordinary people will be denied access to justice if the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill is passed in its current form.
The Times
The Times has published on its website an article by Carter-Ruck senior partner Andrew Stephenson concerning the government's proposed changes to litigation funding and their potential impact on access to justice.
Liam Gallagher issues libel proceedings against Noel Gallagher
Liam Gallagher, the former lead singer of Oasis, has issued High Court proceedings for libel against Noel Gallagher. The claim arises over false statements Noel made about Liam at a press conference on 6 July 2011 at the Electric Cinema.
To read Liam's press statement click here
To read The Sun's report click here
Tanzanian claimant ordered to pay £90,000 security for costs
The High Court has ordered Reginald Mengi, the Tanzanian businessman, to pay £90,000 into court as security for costs in the libel case he has brought in England against Sarah Hermitage. Mr Mengi has substantial interests in media and other businesses in Tanzania. The case relates to events in Tanzania, from where Sarah Hermitage and her husband were forced to flee in 2008, abandoning the investment in their farm, Silverdale.
Press Gazette 4 August 2011Press Gazette 18 March 2011
Lalit Modi wins in Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal has ruled that an email written by Giles Clarke, Chairman of the England & Wales Cricket Club (ECB), and sent to the President of the Indian cricket board (BCCI), is capable of being defamatory of Mr Modi, who was also awarded his costs of the appeal. The case will now proceed to trial.
Assistant Commissioner John Yates issues proceedings against Evening Standard
John Yates, Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has issued High Court proceedings for libel against the Evening Standard over aspects of its reporting of his conduct in the News of the World phone-hacking investigation.
Former Council Leader secures front page apology and substantial damages from local newspaper
Bernard Theobald, the former leader of West Lindsey District Council, has secured a front page apology and very substantial damages against the publisher of the Lincolnshire Echo, over false allegations concerning a planning application. The newspaper also apologised to Mr Theobald in Court before Mr Justice Tugendhat.
Michael Mates wins apology and damages from MailOnline
Michael Mates, Member of Parliament from 1974 to 2010, has secured an apology and substantial libel damages from MailOnline over false allegations concerning his departure from his position as Northern Ireland Secretary.
Report of the Committee on Super-Injunctions
The Committee chaired by the Master of the Rolls, Lord Neuberger, has published its findings on "super-injunctions" and open justice. The Committee was set up in April 2010 following a report of the Parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee concerning the use and effect of such injunctions and their implications for open justice. Carter-Ruck partner Alasdair Pepper was a member of the Committee.
BBC - 'See you in Court'
Magnus Boyd and Nigel Tait appeared in the BBC's highly acclaimed series "See you in Court".
Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Draft Defamation Bill
On 9 May 2011, at Parliament's invitation, Nigel Tait gave evidence before the Joint Committee of the House of Lords and House of Commons on the Draft Defamation Bill.
Nigel has also recently commentated on the Bill in Legal Week:Legal Week article