Lawyers join Commonwealth Press Union to offer pro bono advice to journalists

LEGAL SUPPORT PROGRAMME: international advice in high-profile human rights cases

Three law firms and four barristers' chambers in London have joined forces with the Commonwealth Press Union (CPU) to provide pro bono advice to journalists and newspapers in the developing Commonwealth.

The legal support programme, launched at last week's CPU biennial conference in Sri Lanka, is the brainchild of Harvey Kass, legal director of Associated Newspapers, and Associated lawyer Mary Russell, together with Vyvyan Harmsworth, corporate affairs director of Daily Mail and General Trust, and Lindsay Ross, the CPU's executive director.

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, Simons Muirhead & Burton, and Bindman & Partners have signed up to the scheme, along with barristers at 1 Brick Court, Doughty Street Chambers, Matrix Chambers, and 5 Raymond Buildings.

The CPU has around 750 members in 49 countries, who own more than 1,500 newspapers and news agencies.

The programme will offer legal assistance to journalists and newspapers who are unable to obtain credible legal advice for pre and post-publication issues, or whose own lawyers feel the need for additional international support in the case of high-profile human rights cases.

It is anticipated that the majority of cases will be post-publication and could cover issues ranging from defamation or sedition to individual human rights cases.

A pilot case is under way with support being given to the Gambia Press Union, based in the west African nation's capital, Banjul.

Ms Ross said: 'During my time as press freedom director of the CPU, I was very conscious of the lack of credible legal advice to journalists and publishers, particularly in the developing Commonwealth, and this is a wonderful gesture by the UK legal profession.

'So much of the Commonwealth still takes a legal lead from the UK that I know this programme will be in great demand.'

Mr Kass said the programme would be built up slowly as the demand is measured.

'There is a very wide potential range of people who need help in many different countries,' he said.

Speaking for the lawyers, Desmond Browne QC, of 5 Raymond Buildings, said: 'I and my colleagues are delighted to provide any help we can to ensure press freedom never goes undefended.

We hope our experience with freedom of expression cases under the European Convention and the Human Rights Act can assist journalists and editors in every part of the Commonwealth.'

Neil Rose