UK defamation cases reach ten year high

The UK saw more defamation claims last year than in any year since 1998, according to London law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain. A total of 298 claims were issued in 2009, up 15 per cent from the 2008 figure of 259 claims. Jaron Lewis, media partner at Reynolds Porter Chamberlain said: “This is the third year in a row where the number of claims has increased, firmly putting to bed the notion that libel law is not a serious challenge for the media. There are now nearly 50 per cent more libel claims each year than there were three years ago. “Despite efforts to reduce the likelihood of expensive defamation litigation, the number of claims has been creeping up consistently as claimants continue to rely on favourable laws to bring expensive and often unnecessary litigation through the courts.”

UK defamation cases reach ten year high blogs.journalism.co.uk Wed, Oct 13, 2010