MP Aplogises to Panorama reporter
December 2006
We have secured an apology for John Ware from Dr Phyllis Starkey MP. Mr Ware, who is widely regarded as Britain's premier current affairs reporter, was the presenter of the Panorama programme “Faith, Hate & Charity” broadcast on 2 August. Dr Starkey had accused Mr Ware of seeking to mislead viewers in the programme. She subsequently withdrew the allegation, apologised to Mr Ware and agreed to pay his legal costs.
Transcript of “Faith, Hate & Charity”
News of the World to be sued for libel over Beckham Kidnap
September 2003
We are instructed by Alin Turcu in relation to his libel claim against
the News of the World after he was accused of being party to
a plot to kidnap Victoria Beckham. On 3 November 2002 the News of the
World published a seven-page splash story headed “Posh Kidnap”
illustrated with photographs of armed police arresting some of the alleged
offenders. Mr Turcu, who was 18 at the time, was one of the five arrested.
He spent nearly 8 months on remand in Feltham Young Offenders Institution
before charges against him were dropped, when the CPS re-examined the
case following the disclosure that the News of the World paid its informant
Florim Gashi £10,000.
Kidnap
plot man to sue for libel
Romanian
seeks damages from NoW over Beckham story
Evening Standard apologises to Orlando Figes
July 2003
The Evening Standard claimed that Orlando Figes, who had been short-listed
for the prestigious Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction, was ruled out
of the competition because of 'devastating' allegations of plagiarism.
Following our intervention however the newspaper accepted they were wrong,
apologised to Mr Figes and agreed to pay his legal costs.
Evening Standard apologises to author
Keith Chegwin statement in open court
May 2003
This publicly confirmed that The People's allegations against Chegwin
in their March edition were false (see below), and added the newspaper's
apologies.
People used undercover reporter in bid to trap Chegwin
Defendant represented on CFA with insurance wins libel claim
May 2003
We represented Richmond Pharmacology Limited under a unique conditional
fee agreement backed by after the event insurance, which meant that if
the defendant had lost it would have capped Richmond's liability for all
legal costs. The case concerned an allegedly defamatory email; when the
judge ruled that the email was not defamatory the claimant discontinued.
Brief encounters
Keith Chegwin wins libel claim against The People
March 2003
The People had published an article claiming that Keith Chegwin was planning
to commit criminal offences for his new television programme 'Stars and
their Cars'. We represented the television presenter and obtained an offer
of amends, a printed apology, and a statement in open court admitting
that the allegations were false.
People backs down over Chegwin story
BBC retracts John Gregory accusations
February 2003
We successfully represented the football manager John Gregory against
allegations made on a BBC Radio that he had been accused by the Football
Association of serious wrongdoing. The BBC broadcast a retraction, and
agreed to pay damages and legal costs.
BBC pays football boss for false allegations
Liam Gallagher was not assaulted by Doorman
November 2002
An interview in The Sun claimed that Liam Gallagher and his girlfriend
had been assaulted by a doorman at the Met Bar. Our client was a doorman
pictured in the accompanying photograph, even though he had nothing to
do with Liam's complaint. The Sun made a statement in open court accepting
this, and paid out substantial damages.
Doorman wins damages from Sun
Supermodel's summary decision overturned by Court of Appeal
November 2002
Vanessa Frisbee was Naomi Campbell's agent until the model prematurely
ended her contract. Frisbee then disclosed information to the papers,
which Campbell claimed breached a confidentiality agreement. We defended
Frisbee on the basis either that her duty of confidence was discharged
by the claimant's wrongful repudiation of the contract, or there was a
public interest in the story. The case was summarily dismissed in the
lower court, however the defendant's appeal was allowed.
Royal butler buttons up press
November 2002
We succeeded in obtaining an injunction for former royal butler, Paul
Burrell, against The Sun preventing publication of further revelations
from a witness statement he made to the police as part of a criminal inquiry.
The Sun and News G roup Newspapers were ordered not to publish any further
details.
Burrell
gets Sun 'gag'
Burrell
enters the media scrum
'Blabbermouth butler' silences the Sun
Major Scallywag dispute rekindled
September 2002
Following John Major's admission of a four year affair with Edwina Currie,
various publications who were sued by Major for suggesting he had committed
adultery are now considering legal action to recover their losses. One
such is the magazine Scallywag, which we previously represented until
they were forced to close because of the cost of the court case.
Major faces legal action over affair
Castaway awarded £16,000 by BBC and Lion Television
May 2002
Ron Copsey, a contestant on Castaway 2000, has successfully sued the BBC
and Lion Television, obtaining £8,000 damages from each as well
as an apology in court and payment of his legal costs. Mr Copsey sued
over his portrayal on the programme, which had suggested that he was violent
and aggressive and in particular, that he threw a chair at a female contestant.
The media has hailed the victory as likely to encourage participants in
'reality TV' series such as Big Brother and Castaway to sue programmes
that they claim have misrepresented their personalities.
news story - http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4417207,00.html
The Cook Report production team successful against The News of
the World
July 2002
We represented members of The Cook Report production team in their successful
claim against The News of the World, which retracted previous allegations
that a number of Cook Report programmes had been faked.
news story - NoW admits Cook Report allegations were false
Blair's nanny beats off a strike out
June 2002
We recently acted for Ros Mark, the former nanny to the Blair family,
in a landmark case in the Court of Appeal. The Court accepted our argument
on behalf of Ms Mark that the 'repetition rule' - which requires a newspaper
that reports another person's defamatory statement to prove it to be true
- is compatible with Article 10 of the European Court of Human Rights.
news
story
First successful libel case for defendant CFA
April 2002
We acted for Barbara Gardener in a case against the property company Parkgate-Aspen.
Ms Gardener lived in a mansion block and distributed a newsletter to other
residents of the block expressing her concerns about the management of
the property. The company brought a libel claim against Ms Gardener which
was struck out. We represented Ms Gardener under a conditional fee agreement,
believed to be the first successful case of its kind for a defendant.
news
story -
http://www.thelawyer.com/LawyerNews/breaknews20020416-1.asp
The Mail on Sunday apologises to Maria Fernandes
February 2002
Leading immigration lawyer, Maria Fernandes obtained an apology and substantial
damages from the Mail on Sunday over an article in the Black Dog diary
column.
news
story -
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4350950,00.html
news
story -
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-2-200872,00.html
Anti-Cult campaigner wins second Guardian libel action
January 2002
Graham Baldwin, director of Catalyst, a charity that specialises in therapy for victims of religious cults and similar groups, won substantial damages in an out-of-court settlement against The Guardian and its editor, Alan Rusbridger. The action follows an earlier libel victory for Mr Baldwin in November 1998. The following day The Guardian published an article on the case including statements by Mr Rusbridger, which Mr Baldwin contended repeated the defamatory allegations.
news
story - http://www.guardian.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4349876,00.html
Guardian journalist vindicated
December 2001
Following the resignation of the Archbishop of Cardiff the journalist
Stephen Bates reported, confirming an earlier announcement from the Vatican,
that he had been deemed unfit to remain in office. The Catholic Herald
however denied this, the editor alleging that the Bates had fabricated
facts. Bates was left with no option but to sue. We obtained an unreserved
apology to Bates in a statement in open court, substantial damages, and
costs.
Bates: why I sued the Catholic Herald
Angel of Mostar's victory over the Daily Mail
December 2001
The aid worker who became known as the "Angel of Mostar" after saving
wounded children from the Bosnian town, has won substantial libel damages
from the Daily Mail. The paper wrongly alleged Sally Becker was being
sued by volunteers for endangering their lives.
The newspaper has agreed to pay Ms Becker a substantial undisclosed sum
in damages and her legal costs. It has also offered its sincere apology
for the stories.
news story - http://www.guardian.co.uk/
news story - http://www.independent.co.uk/
David Soul wins libel damages over play "review"
December 2001
In a landmark case, David Price was the trial advocate for actor David
Soul, best known for his role as Detective Hutchinson in Starsky and Hutch.
Mr Soul successfully sued Matthew Wright, formerly showbiz correspondent
of the Mirror, over a review of his play. Mr Wright had not even seen
the play and the review contained a large number of defamatory inaccuracies.
news
story - http://www.guardian.co.uk/
"Kiss and Tell" injunctions
December 2001
Rupert Butler offers his views to the Law Society Gazette following a
radical decision in which a judge banned a newspaper from publishing details
of a well-known footballer's extra-marital relationships.
Deaths in Custody Film screened despite threats of legal action from
Police Federation
August 2001
We acted for Migrant Media, the company responsible for producing a film
"Injustice" concerning the deaths in custody of a number of
black citizens in recent years. The film depicts the struggle of the victims'
families in bringing public attention to those officers they hold responsible
for the deaths.
news story - http://www.independent.co.uk/
news story - http://www.independent.co.uk/
news story - http://www.independent.co.uk/
Arsenal hero Charlie George wins libel action
July 2001
We successfully sued the Highbury and Islington Gazette for suggesting
that Charlie George would have ended up in prison had he not become a
professional footballer. In an out of court settlement, the newspaper
withdrew the allegations and paid damages to Mr George.
news
report - http://www.guardian.co.uk/
Castaway commences libel action against the BBC and Lion TV
June 2001
We commenced a libel claim against the BBC and independent production
company Lion TV on behalf of Ron Copsey who appeared in the television
programme Castaway.
news
report - www.observer.co.uk/
McVicar challenges English libel law in the European Court of Human
Rights
May 2001
We are representing the journalist, John McVicar in his claim before the
European Court of Human Rights, arising from a defamation action brought
against him by Linford Christie. Mr McVicar claims that the defamation
trial was unfair and that his right to free expression has been compromised.
The European Court has declared the complaint admissible and it will now
proceed to a full hearing in Strasbourg.
news
report - www.thetimes.co.uk/
news
report - www.telegraph.co.uk/
U.S. businessman wins libel claim
April 2001
We represented J Shelby Bryan in libel claims against the Evening Standard
and the Daily Telegraph. The newspapers repeated defamatory allegations
made in Talk, a New York based magazine. Mr Bryan, who has been propelled
into the media spotlight as a result of his relationship with Anna Wintour,
accepted an out-of-court settlement in which the newspapers withdrew the
allegations and apologised. They also made generous donations to charities
of Mr Bryan's choice.
news
report - www.telegraph.co.uk/
news
report - www.thisislondon.co.uk/
Leeds footballers' trial
April 2001
David Price in the Independent newspaper about the collapse of the trial.
news
report - www.independent.co.uk/
Former editor of Punch wins appeal
March 2001
We represented James Steen, former editor of Punch magazine in his successful
appeal to the Court of Appeal. Mr Steen had been convicted of contempt
of court after publishing an article by ex-MI5 agent, David Shayler
news
report - www.telegraph.co.uk/
news
report - www.mediaguardian.co.uk/
news
report - www.independent.co.uk/
The Cook Report production team commence libel action
February 2001
We commenced libel proceedings for members of The Cook Report production
team against The News of the World.
news report - www.guardian.co.uk/
Defamation: Law, Procedure & Practice
February 2001
The publication of the second edition of David Price's book, "Defamation:
Law, Procedure & Practice".
news
report - www.lawgazette.co.uk/
news
report - www.thetimes.co.uk/
Court of Appeal upholds composer's libel award
December 2000
The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against our client, composer,
Keith Burstein. Mr Burstein had successfully sued The Times for falsely
accusing him of wrecking performances. The appeal concerned the relevant
factors that a jury may take into account in its award of damages.
news
report - www.thetimes.co.uk/
law
report - www.thetimes.co.uk
Actress wins damages from Mail on Sunday
November 2000
We acted for actress Sally Farmiloe who obtained substantial damages in
a claim for malicious falsehood, breach of confidence and infringment
of privacy arising from an article in the Mail on Sunday about her friendship
with Lord Archer. The case was believed to be the first successful privacy
claim since the European Convention of Human Rights became part of English
law.
news
report - www.telegraph.co.uk/