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26 April 2024
Issue: 8068 / Categories: Legal News , Public , Human rights , Equality
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NLJ this week: Free speech or malicious communication?

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You’ve got to be thick-skinned to go into local politics, but to how much aggravation should a publicly spirited person be subjected? In this week’s NLJ, Nicholas Dobson tests the limits

Dobson considers the case of Middlewich, Cheshire resident Thomas Casserly, who was convicted under the Malicious Communications Act 1988 for sending emails that were ‘grossly offensive’ to a town councillor. Casserly relied in his defence on his right to freedom of speech.

Dobson notes that Casserly ‘takes a keen interest in local politics, frequently attending and asking questions at town council meetings’. So, where does the law draw the line? Dobson investigates. 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

EIP—Stuart Malcolm

EIP—Stuart Malcolm

EIP strengthens Commercial practice with a new partner

Ellisons—Francesca Brown

Ellisons—Francesca Brown

Ellisons welcomes Francesca Brown to Family team

Shakespeare Martineau—Marie Bourke

Shakespeare Martineau—Marie Bourke

Shakespeare Martineau strengthens Sheffield regulatory practice with new hires

NEWS
A wide-ranging Civil Way column highlights developments from insolvency procedure to employment law, but one case stands out for its lessons on bankruptcy, family homes and digital communications
A sprawling Intellectual Property Office battle between House of Fraser and Frasers Property has delivered a masterclass in modern trade mark law
Courts in England and Wales and Singapore are increasingly confronting complex disputes over international child relocation as families become more globally mobile
The government’s long-awaited family law reform consultation could mark a turning point for domestic abuse victims navigating financial remedy proceedings, but significant challenges remain
A new commercial court pilot giving the public access to documents used in hearings, including expert reports, is raising difficult questions about transparency and privacy
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