
My column in the print edition of Standpoint this month explains how the Court of Appeal's recent judgment in a libel case has shifted the balance in favour of writers.
One of the judges in the case, Lord Neuberger, gave a lecture this week about freedom of expression. Although there was nothing in it that struck me as controversial, he did take the opportunity to outline one of the questions to be considered by the committee he is chairing on super-injunctions.
It relates to the rights of third parties, such as newspaper publishers.
The right to open justice, as part of the right to fair trial, is an indivisible right. It is a right applicable equally to claimants and defendants. How is this principle squared with, as in the John Terry case, the fact that no named individual is before the court or named as a respondent? Where the respondent is genuinely unknown the court must of course rely on the applicant disclosing the issues both in favour and against granting the order. But what of the situation where the applicant does not know who the respondent is but has in mind a number of other individuals who they intend to serve with the order? Should they be required to ensure that those individuals are given a proper opportunity to make submissions to the court? And how? At the time the initial without notice application is made? Or at a later on notice hearing after the order has been made?
All responses gratefully received.
Post your comment
Joshua Rozenberg was the BBC's legal correspondent for 15 years. He moved to The Daily Telegraph in 2000, editing the paper's legal coverage for eight years. Now a freelance writer, commentator and broadcaster on legal affairs, he blogs exclusively for Standpoint.
- Writing versus Propaganda
- Never Forget...
- Congratulations to EastEnders
- Out of a 'Grave'
- Will Judges Ever Banish Misconceptions?
- I'm Talking about Faust...
- Free Speech: a Delicate Balance
- More Evidence on New Islam4UK Front
- ...and Inside Out
- Garsington Goes to Wormsley
- The Public has a Right to Know
- The Authentic Voice of the Political Class
- New al-Muhajiroun/Islam4UK Front
- After You've Tweeted, Warble
- Play It Again, Roger
- Good Bad/Timing
- Labour's Passion Spent
- Ex-MPs will not have private hearing
- It's Back: #OPERAPLOT 2010


















