Libel specialist claims first use of summary procedure

Solicitor-advocate David Price has claimed to be the first user of a summary procedure to dispose of a libel case.

Mr Price acted for James Gilbert Ltd, a rugby ball manufacturer which supplies the rugby world cup tournament, and Rodney Webb, one of the company's directors.

The action was brought against the Sunday Mirror in response to an article alleging that the company had breached a promise to go to India to investigate the paper's claim its balls were made by Indian child labourers.

In fact, two senior employees of the company had been sent to India, and found the allegations about their balls to be untrue.Mirror Group Newspapers contested the claim, pleading a defence of qualified privilege.

But Mr Price issued the application for a summary disposal of the case in March, and it was granted in the High Court by Mr Justice Eady this month.

Mirror Group agreed to settle damages at 10,000, the maximum the judge could have ordered under the new Defamation Act 1996 procedure, introduced in February this year.Mr Price said that he thought the new procedure would catch on: 'It is a quick remedy for those more interested in vindication than damages.' The procedure gives claimants added leverage, he said, on account of a provision allowing the judge to order that, in lieu of an apology, the offending printer should publish a summary of his judgment.Jeremy Fleming