Report comment

Your report says that section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act "could require newspapers not signed up to a government-recognised regulator to meet the costs of libel claimants even if their cases fail". Well, it's true that it COULD do that, but the idea that it simply would do it is a falsehood put about consistently by newspapers anxious to avoid being regulated by IMPRESS and to continue operating under the more benevolent eye of IPSO. There are important exceptions to the "pay costs even if you win" rule - the main one being that it doesn't apply if the Court thinks it not just and equitable that it should. The consistent misrepresentation of section 40 does the press no credit.