Objective
The Government has asked the CJC to look in detail at the issue of costs in defamation proceedings, and to report by the end of March 2013. A working group has been formed, chaired by CJC member John Pickering. Its full terms of reference is as follows:
The Civil Justice Council (CJC) is asked:
1. To identify whether there are meritorious actions for defamation and privacy, which could not properly be brought or defended without some form of costs protection;
2. If so identified, to advise –
(i) in which types of cases (or stages of cases) some form of costs protection should apply; and
(ii) what options for costs protection might be considered, with their advantages and disadvantages
Outcome
The final report of the Working Group was sent to the MoJ on 28 March 2013, and is included, along with a news release, as a link in the right hand column of this page.
Members:
John Pickering (Chair) – Partner, Irwin Mitchell
Nick Bacon QC – Barrister, 4 New Square
Desmond Browne QC – Barrister, 5 Raymond Buildings
Keith Mathieson – Partner, RPC
Professor Rachael Mulheron – Queen Mary University of London
Lucy Moorman – Partner, Simons Muirhead and Burton
Zoe Norden – In-House Lawyer, The Guardian
Jack Norris – Ministry of Justice
Marcus Partington, Group Legal Director, Trinity Mirror plc
Alasdair Pepper – Partner, Carter-Ruck Solicitors
Costs Judge Gordon-Saker
Chloe Strong – Barrister, 5 Raymond Buildings
Robert Wright – Ministry of Justice
Peter Farr – CJC Secretary
Andrea Dowsett – CJC Assistant Secretary
Last updated: January 2013