New statistics highlight rising numbers of privacy cases
The number of privacy cases brought in the UK courts has risen for the second consecutive year, according to new research by Sweet & Maxwell. New statistics compiled by the legal publisher, which come in the wake of intense media scrutiny over the use of injunctions, show the number of privacy cases rising 16% year-on-year, up from 43 for the year ending 31 May 2010 to 50 during 2010-11.
December 05, 2011 at 09:08 AM
2 minute read
The number of privacy cases brought in the UK courts has risen for the second consecutive year, according to new research by Sweet & Maxwell.
New statistics compiled by the legal publisher, which come in the wake of intense media scrutiny over the use of injunctions, show the number of privacy cases rising 16% year-on-year, up from 43 for the year ending 31 May 2010 to 50 during 2010-11.
This year's figure is also a sharp increase on 2008-09, when just 28 privacy cases were brought, while the research also highlights a steep rise in the number of public figures involved in privacy cases, up to 24 this year from just two in 2008-09 and nine in 2009-10.
Sweet & Maxwell editor Jonathan Cooper said: "There is growing concern that the UK courts are granting too many injunctions to high-profile individuals to the detriment of free speech. The courts must strive to achieve an even balance between an individual's right to privacy and a free press, or there is the risk of a chilling effect on the media.
"While privacy remains a fundamental principal of the Human Rights Act, it should not be used as an argument to undermine free speech and vice versa. Where there is a public interest in interfering with privacy rights, the media must be entitled to publish."
The news comes as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced that it is to delay the implementation of the new rules governing the proposed changes to civil and family legal aid from October 2012 to April 2013.
A MoJ spokesperson said: "New contracts to provide civil and family advice will be offered to lawyers in April 2013, which will give them sufficient time to consider the final details of the new legal aid scheme which Parliament is expected to agree in spring 2012.
"Once lawyers have adjusted to the new scheme and other regulatory changes, we will consult in autumn 2013 on introducing competition for criminal defence work, with a view to extending it to civil and family work at a later date."
- Click here for an in depth feature on libel and privacy
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