Times are getting very interesting in the land of libel laws in the UK. Over the last few months, there has been a growing campaign against current libel law, which allows companies and organisations to squash critical comment by the threat of a case against their critics. The costs involved are so enormous, and the outcomes so prejudiced against anyone writing critically, that many journalists are warned off.
The campaign was launched on 9th December and is supported by very many eminent journalists, performers, and critics, including Dr Ben Goldacre (of Bad Science fame) and Shazia Mirza (one of the funniest comedians in the UK). Even Jack Straw, the UK Justice Minister is now promoting libel law reform.
All of this was really a spinoff from the campaign to defend Dr Simon Singh, who had the temerity to suggest that chiropractors claiming to treat childhood colic were in need of some supporting evidence which they didn't have. Although rational people would have thought the case would revolve around assessing the available evidence for such treatment, in fact it turned on the meaning that a judge gave to the term bogus. Dr Singh was granted leave to appeal by Justice Laws and now we are expecting his case to be heard sometime early next year – the date of 22nd February has been mentioned.
In the arcane UK legal system, Dr Singh had to ask for leave to appeal against the ruling that there was a libel case to answer, and that is what Justice Laws granted him. Now there has been a very significant twist to the story in that the panel which will actually hear his appeal is to consist of the two most senior Appeal Court judges: The Lord Chief Justice and Master of the Rolls, Lord Neuberger, together with Lord Justice Sedley. They are to be joined by Dame Mary Arden, who is Chair of the Law Commission.
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Article comments
1 - Jack of Kent
Hi there
Part of this blogpost appears to have been sourced from my page without acknowledgement - whoopsie :-)
In any case, the news hre was overtaken a few days ago - the Court of Appeal panel has been re-jigged again in a most significant way...
Best wishes
Jack
2 - Bob Lloyd
I posted a link to your excellent blog in one of the previous articles on BC spreading the word about this case, and I'm very pleased to acknowledge you, though the story has been reported elsewhere, no doubt traceable back to your excellent information :)
How has the appeal panel been re-jigged? Do you have a link to any update?
3 - roger nowosielski
Indeed, it's a great blog, Jack.