Lawyers create global force against 'libel tourism'

Lawyers from 21 countries around the world have joined forces to work towards ending 'libel tourism'.

After an IBA session on the problems of Web publishing, organised by the civil litigation and media law committees, delegates pledged to help draft guidelines or an international convention that at their heart are likely to require that any potential libel be judged by the law of the country where it originated.

The advent of on-line publishing has allowed claimants to pick and choose the forum where they bring their action.

The Law Commission of England and Wales is already studying this problem.

Mark Stephens, head of media at London firm Finers Stephens Innocent and vice-chairman of the IBA's media law committee, said there was now 'a lot of libel tourism', adding that the problem extended to issues such as trying to force journalists to reveal sources.

Claimants look to launch proceedings in a country where they can do this.

Because of the level of damages available, England and Wales is a popular destination for forum shoppers, and any move on this issue is likely to affect solicitors' workload.

'It's more important that we have certainty and justice,' Mr Stephens said.