3 ms·

UK libel laws are ridiculous

• hammyhavoc 3y ago
  Are they? It's providing accountability. If people won't fact-check big and damaging statements then that's their problem. Ass-pulling falsehoods is what's wrong with a lot of what I read on HN.
  • dbspin 3y ago
    They are. Friend of mine worked as a junior solicitor with the libel tourism firm in the UK. The jurisdiction was used as a court of convenience for everything from the Johnny Depp trial to Scientology suing Louis Theroux. Scientology were one of their largest clients, and worked with them to try prevent the release of books and documentaries in various territories, credibly threatening defamation suits. UK (and Irish) defamation laws don't exist to prevent falsehoods. They exist and are regularly used, to prevent embarrassment and financial damage to the most powerful people in society. There are a number of prominent public figures in the UK who would likely be in prison for sexual transgression, but for threats and intimidation of children and young adults from this and similar law firms. It's a monstrous situation.
  • Rebelgecko 3y ago
    IIRC UK libel laws are somewhat unusual in that you can win a case without actually proving that the allegedly libelous statements are false.