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ARTICLE · 04 APRIL 2011

Freedom Of Speech Triumphant

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
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Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

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To many lawyers, and other users of the Courts, the law of libel gets much more attention in Parliament and in the media than it deserves.

United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Duncan Lamont
Duncan Lamont

The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, better known to you and me as Ken Clarke, published in March the long awaited draft Defamation Bill, for consultation until June 2011. Duncan Lamont looks at the Bill and what lies behind its new provisions.

To many lawyers, and other users of the Courts, the law of libel gets much more attention in Parliament and in the media than it deserves. Many areas of the law could do with some updating but do not get a look in because of the hyped up outrage (from the USA not just the Daily Mail) about libel tourism even though the number of cases is actually tiny. Parliament's time is spent on the squeaky wheel of defamation rather than more important areas such as copyright or legal costs.

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