Britain’s half-hearted bid to reform libel law

July 25th, 2012

The Defamation Bill is an achievement, but more must be done to reform England’s libel laws and encourage debate in the public interest, says Rachel Ehrenfeld
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Libel reform comes around less often than Halley’s comet. Let’s get it right

June 27th, 2012

The defamation bill will do little to stop corporations suing individuals and should include a public interest defence says Index’s Mike Harris
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Libya throws out law criminalising glorification of Muammar Gaddafi

June 15th, 2012

Libya’s Supreme Court yesterday threw out a new law criminalising the glorification of ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi or his supporters. The law was deemed to be “unconstitutional”, after a group of Libyan lawyers argued against the law for violating international law and the country’s interim constitutional covenant.

Northern Ireland: Contempt case against Peter Hain dropped

May 17th, 2012

A contempt of court charge brought against former NI Secretary Peter Hain regarding criticisms he made of a judge in Northern Ireland has been dropped. Hain had written to Attorney General John Larkin about the remarks, stressing he never intended to question Lord Justice Paul Girvan’s motivation in handling a judicial review. Larkin said the case against Mr Hain — who had faced a charge of “scandalising a judge” despite doubts from his lawyers over the existence of the offence — no longer needed to continue.

Queen’s Speech set to tackle free expression

May 3rd, 2012

Is London set to lose its label as global capital for libel tourism, asks Index’s Kirsty Hughes
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Hardeep Singh and Vaughan Jones talk libel

March 30th, 2012

As Vaughan Jones awaits the verdict in his libel case, he and Hardeep Singh discuss what it’s like to be sued, and what next for libel reform
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Libel reform: a final push

October 19th, 2011

As Parliament takes a significant step in its slow removal of the UK’s pariah status on defamation, John Kampfner describes the progress on libel reform
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Libel reform campaign responds to parliamentary committee findings

October 19th, 2011

The Libel Reform Campaign is calling for the government to honour manifesto promises for a defamation bill with a strong public interest defence to protect authors, bloggers, scientists, academics and NGOs
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