Round Up of Northern Ireland Decisions in 2017 – Olivia O’Kane

This is a round up of the 2017 decisions by the Courts of Northern Ireland in libel, privacy and other media law cases along with case summaries dealing with the issues and decisions in each case.

Northern Ireland: Defamation claims in 2017, a substantial reduction in the number of cases brought – Olivia O’Kane

I have now obtained the figures concerning the numbers of defamation cases issued in Northern Ireland in 2017.  These figures are based on a search of the Court’s records for the period 1 January to 31 December 2017.

Northern Ireland: Defamation claims in 2016 – Olivia O’Kane

I have now obtained the figures concerning the numbers of defamation cases issued in Northern Ireland in 2016.  These figures are based on a search of the Court’s records for the period 1 January to 31 December 2016.

Case Law, Northern Ireland: Loughran v. Century Newspapers, Statutory Qualified Privilege and Malice – Olivia O’Kane

In the case of Loughran v Century Newspapers ([2014] NICA 26) the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal considered a case in which a newspaper relied on the Curistan principle in relation to statutory qualified privilege and decided that a pleaded case of malice was not fit to go to the jury.

Northern Ireland: Defamation claims in 2013, numbers stabilise – Olivia O’Kane

Court records show that the number of libel cases issued in Northern Ireland in 2013 remains at a similar level to 2011 and 2012.  The total of all claims, in the High Court and the County Court, was 32 in 2012 and 30 in 2013.

Northern Ireland Law and Media Annual Round Up 2013 – Olivia O’Kane

The Courts in Northern Ireland heard a wide range of media law cases in 2013. In this post I will provide summaries of the most important cases in which judgments were given and are publicly available.

Reporting Restrictions and Anonymity Orders in Northern Ireland – Olivia O’Kane

Northern Ireland Editor’s Liaison Group is made up of senior editors within the local broadcast and newspaper industry in Northern Ireland.  The aim of this informal group of editors is to discuss matters of general concern and as to how the media industry operates in this jurisdiction.

Northern Ireland Defamation Cases, numbers decline – Olivia O’Kane

The recent changes in the media landscape have no doubt had an impact for libel lawyers in Northern Ireland.  As advertising cuts continue to be made and the Leveson culture has exerted pressure on journalistic practice, the media are no doubt trying to resolve disputes in advance of legal proceedings being issued.  Legal Aid is not available to libel claimants and conditional fee agreements and after the event insurance is not available in Northern Ireland, which also has an effect on the volume of this type of legal work.