Menu
15/02/2005
'McLibel' duo victorious in legal aid case
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that two environmentalists, sued for libel by McDonalds, should have received legal aid from the government.
Helen Steel and David Morris, who became known as the 'McLibel Two', were forced to pay libel damages of £40,000 to the fast-food giant, following a trial in the 1990's.
McDonalds launched legal proceedings against Ms Steel and Mr Morris after they handed out a series of leaflets, entitled 'What's Wrong with McDonald's. The leaflets, which were published by London Greenpeace, contained damaging allegations against the company.
The case, which began in 1990 and ran until 1997, including a High Court hearing lasting 314 days, was the longest civil or criminal action in English legal history. The judge, Mr Justice Bell, ruled that McDonalds had been libelled and Ms Steel and Mr Morris were ordered to pay £60,000 in damages, although this was later reduced to £40,000 on appeal.
However, the pair decided to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, claiming that their human rights and right to freedom of expression had been breached, because they were denied legal aid and were also obliged to justify every word of the allegations made against McDonalds in the leaflets.
The Strasbourg court ruled in favour of Ms Steel and Mr Morris, and said that their right to a fair trial had been denied, because of the lack of legal aid made available.
The case, which has been described as, "the biggest corporate PR disaster in history", is reported to have cost McDonalds £10 million.
(KMcA/SP)
Helen Steel and David Morris, who became known as the 'McLibel Two', were forced to pay libel damages of £40,000 to the fast-food giant, following a trial in the 1990's.
McDonalds launched legal proceedings against Ms Steel and Mr Morris after they handed out a series of leaflets, entitled 'What's Wrong with McDonald's. The leaflets, which were published by London Greenpeace, contained damaging allegations against the company.
The case, which began in 1990 and ran until 1997, including a High Court hearing lasting 314 days, was the longest civil or criminal action in English legal history. The judge, Mr Justice Bell, ruled that McDonalds had been libelled and Ms Steel and Mr Morris were ordered to pay £60,000 in damages, although this was later reduced to £40,000 on appeal.
However, the pair decided to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, claiming that their human rights and right to freedom of expression had been breached, because they were denied legal aid and were also obliged to justify every word of the allegations made against McDonalds in the leaflets.
The Strasbourg court ruled in favour of Ms Steel and Mr Morris, and said that their right to a fair trial had been denied, because of the lack of legal aid made available.
The case, which has been described as, "the biggest corporate PR disaster in history", is reported to have cost McDonalds £10 million.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 October 2015
New Consumer Rights Act For Digital Content Introduced
A new Consumer Rights Act has been introduced covering digital content, giving customers downloading music or buying ebooks new legal rights. The new Act has been created as shoppers increasingly spend money on digital content, with more than £2.8 billion spent on downloaded music, video and games in 2014, up 18% from the previous year.
New Consumer Rights Act For Digital Content Introduced
A new Consumer Rights Act has been introduced covering digital content, giving customers downloading music or buying ebooks new legal rights. The new Act has been created as shoppers increasingly spend money on digital content, with more than £2.8 billion spent on downloaded music, video and games in 2014, up 18% from the previous year.
31 October 2008
Sienna Claims 'Harassment Campaign' By Paps
British actress Sienna Miller claims photographers - bent on 'commercial exploitation' - have infringed on her human rights. The movie star is taking legal action against one of the UK's top picture agencies, amid allegations of harassment and invasion of privacy.
Sienna Claims 'Harassment Campaign' By Paps
British actress Sienna Miller claims photographers - bent on 'commercial exploitation' - have infringed on her human rights. The movie star is taking legal action against one of the UK's top picture agencies, amid allegations of harassment and invasion of privacy.
11 April 2008
Troops' Rights Upheld
A High Court judge has ruled that sending British soldiers on patrol or into battle with defective equipment could breach their human rights. The shock finding has been made in a test case over Scottish soldier Pte Jason Smith's death in Iraq.
Troops' Rights Upheld
A High Court judge has ruled that sending British soldiers on patrol or into battle with defective equipment could breach their human rights. The shock finding has been made in a test case over Scottish soldier Pte Jason Smith's death in Iraq.
14 December 2006
High Court reject de Menzes case
The family of the Brazilian shot dead by police officers has been dealt a blow by the High Court rejection of the case brought against officers involved in the shooting. Jean Charkes de Menezes was shot seven times in the head on July 22, 2005 after he had been mistakenly identified as a suicide bomber at London's Stockwell tube station.
High Court reject de Menzes case
The family of the Brazilian shot dead by police officers has been dealt a blow by the High Court rejection of the case brought against officers involved in the shooting. Jean Charkes de Menezes was shot seven times in the head on July 22, 2005 after he had been mistakenly identified as a suicide bomber at London's Stockwell tube station.
07 March 2006
British woman loses legal battle over embryos
A British woman has lost her legal battle to use her frozen embryos to have a baby at the European Court of Human Rights. Natalie Evans, 35, from Wiltshire, had started IVF treatment with her then partner, Howard Johnson, in 2001, after treatment for ovarian cancer left her infertile.
British woman loses legal battle over embryos
A British woman has lost her legal battle to use her frozen embryos to have a baby at the European Court of Human Rights. Natalie Evans, 35, from Wiltshire, had started IVF treatment with her then partner, Howard Johnson, in 2001, after treatment for ovarian cancer left her infertile.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
