Tommy Robinson jailed for contempt of court – BBC News

‘The ex-English Defence League leader was found guilty last week of interfering with the trial of a sexual grooming gang at Leeds Crown Court in May 2018.’

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BBC News, 11th July 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Fears UK law change could prevent scrutiny of money launderers – The Guardian

Posted July 11th, 2019 in EC law, media, money laundering, news by sally

‘Plans to introduce laws in Britain to combat money laundering could prevent the media and researchers from accessing vital information on the tide of dirty cash flowing around the world, campaigners and journalists have warned.’

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The Guardian, 9th July 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Free speech victory or charter for higher costs? – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Supreme Court’s recent clarification of the ‘serious harm’ threshold for defamation claims has been welcomed by newspapers as a victory for free speech. In fact, it is more likely to mean escalating costs and uncertainty for claimants and defendants alike.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 8th July 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Ofcom wants laws to protect UK companies’ public service content – The Guardian

Posted July 5th, 2019 in competition, internet, media, news by sally

‘The broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has called for new laws to ensure that shows made by UK broadcasters including the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 continue to get top billing on on-demand services such as Sky – but the rules will not apply to Netflix and Amazon.’

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The Guardian, 4th July 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Seeking a secret inquest? A lesson in how NOT to go about asking for reporting restrictions – UK Human Rights Blog

‘When seeking any order it always helps to make the right application, to the right court, following the right procedure. Although when it does go horribly wrong it at least provides valuable learning for the rest of us.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 1st July 2019

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away! bailiff entered house unlawfully – BBC News

Posted June 25th, 2019 in bailiffs, debts, media, news by sally

‘A bailiff from television’s Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away! who entered a house unlawfully left the occupants feeling “violated” and “like the guilty party”.’

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BBC News, 25th June 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

“No revolution” says the Supreme Court as it rules on defamation – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd and another [2019] UKSC 27. The Supreme Court has unanimously held that the Defamation Act 2013 altered the common law presumption of general damage in defamation. It is no longer sufficient for the imposition of liability that a statement is inherently injurious or has a “tendency” to injure a claimant’s reputation. Instead, the language of section 1(1) of the Act requires a statement to produce serious harm to reputation before it can be considered defamatory.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 17th june 2019

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Broadcasters in legal bind over reporting on Tory crisis during election – The Guardian

‘Strict broadcasting laws place restrictions on coverage of politics during voting periods.’

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The Guardian, 23rd May 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Judge “bullied” litigant in person, Court of Appeal rules – Litigation Futures

‘A High Court judge “seriously transgressed” the core principle that he remain neutral during the evidence and used bullying language against a litigant in person, the Court of Appeal has ruled.’

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Litigation Futures, 20th May 2019

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

‘Bullying’ libel judge’s dismissal of claim reversed on appeal – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Appeal judges have strongly criticised the “surprising and troubling” conduct of a High Court judge towards a litigant in person during a defamation hearing, saying he “cast off the mantle of impartiality”. Ruling in Serafin v Malkiewicz and Others, Lord Justice Lewison, Lord Justice McCombe and Lord Justice Haddon-Cave allowed an appeal against Mr Justice Jay’s dismissal of a libel claim against a London Polish-language newspaper.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 20th May 2019

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Judge hits out at “irresponsible” media reporting of case on capacity to consent to sex – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 16th, 2019 in consent, Court of Protection, judges, local government, media, news by sally

‘A Court of Protection judge has strongly criticised media reporting of a case involving whether a woman had the capacity to consent to sex with her husband.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 16th May 2019

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Ofcom investigating CGTN for allegedly airing forced confession – The Guardian

Posted May 9th, 2019 in China, complaints, media, news, ombudsmen, privacy by tracey

‘The UK broadcasting regulator has launched a formal investigation into an allegation that China Global Television Network (CGTN), the international news channel of China Central Television (CCTV), aired a confession forced from a British private investigator while imprisoned in China.’

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The Guardian, 8th May 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Straining the Alphabet Soup: Part 1 — Anonymity orders in Personal Injury proceedings – UK Human Rights Blog

‘Amendments to CPR r.39.2; new Guidance issued by the Master of the Rolls; and a recent High Court decision refusing anonymity to a claimant prompt this review of anonymity orders in personal injury proceedings.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 30th April 2019

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

Private Lives and Public Sorrows – Family Law Week

‘Hazel Wright, Partner with Hunters Solicitors, highlights three cases which have emphasised the usefulness to family lawyers of the Human Rights Act.’

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Family Law Week, 30th April 2019

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

UK-based TV station fined for anti-Ahmadi Muslim hate speech – The Guardian

Posted April 15th, 2019 in fines, hate crime, Islam, media, news by michael

‘A UK-based TV station has been fined £75,000 by Ofcom after broadcasting hate speech about the Ahmadi community, amid growing fears that the religious group is facing persecution.’

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The Guardian, 15th April 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Ofcom investigating ‘white people’ remark by Jon Snow – The Guardian

Posted April 9th, 2019 in brexit, complaints, demonstrations, media, news by sally

‘The media regulator has launched an investigation into comments made by the Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow, who said of a pro-Brexit protest that he had “never seen so many white people in one place”.’

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The Guardian, 8th April 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Syrian refugee ‘attack’: 16-year-old boy given police caution over incident at Huddersfield school – The Independent

‘A boy accused of attacking a Syrian refugee at their school in Huddersfield has been given a police caution.’

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The Independent, 29th March 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Iran TV station did not break rules over interview praising attack – Ofcom – The Guardian

Posted March 27th, 2019 in codes of practice, complaints, Iran, media, news, ombudsmen, terrorism by sally

‘Iran International did not breach the broadcasting code by interviewing a spokesman for a separatist group who praised last September’s terrorist attack in the Iranian city of Ahvaz, the British regulator Ofcom has ruled.’

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The Guardian, 26th March 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Angela Wrightson: Killer girls bid to extend anonymity – BBC News

‘Two girls who were 13 and 14 when they murdered a vulnerable alcoholic in her own home are taking legal action to remain anonymous into adulthood.’

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BBC News, 26th March 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court: Media accused barrister of making death threats – Legal Futures

Posted March 26th, 2019 in barristers, bullying, defamation, harassment, media, news by sally

‘Barrister Barbara Hewson was accused by The Times and MailOnline of making death threats to a law student and subjecting him to “repeated acts of harassment and online bullying”, the High Court has held.’

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Legal Futures, 26th March 2019

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk