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Manchester Arena case: cruel lies & an abuse of media freedom

30 October 2024
Issue: 8092 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal , Harassment , Media
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Two survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing have won a harassment case against a former television producer who claimed the attack was staged

In Hibbert & anor v Hall [2024] EWHC 2677 (KB) last week, Mrs Justice Steyn said Richard Hall had caused survivors Martin Hibbert and his daughter Eve ‘enormous distress’ by publishing and broadcasting theories the 2017 bombing was an ‘elaborate hoax’ involving ‘crisis actors’.

Kerry Gillespie, associate, Hudgell Solicitors, representing the Hibberts, said the case sent ‘a very clear message to people who think they have the right to publish absurd, harmful, unfounded allegations against others’.

Hanna Basha, partner at Payne Hicks Beach, said: ‘It is incredibly rare for the court to find that a defendant has abused media freedom.

‘The judge sent a strong signal that conspiracy theorists would not be tolerated in the UK courts. It is a significant step forward in tacking the real harm caused by misinformation.’ 

Issue: 8092 / Categories: Legal News , Criminal , Harassment , Media
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

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Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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