The Supreme Court in London. The newspaper groups told the court that “no win, no fee” arrangements in libel and privacy cases stifled journalism Peter Dazeley/Getty ImagesThree of the UK’s biggest newspaper organisations are challenging rules they describe as a “costs bonanza” for lawyers that have a “chilling effect” on freedom of expression and investigative journalism. They told the Supreme Court that “no win, no fee” arrangements that allow lawyers to double their fees if their clients win when they sue for libel or privacy is a “legal casino” that stifles journalism. The test challenge by Times Newspapers, Mirror Group Newspapers and Associated Newspapers comes as ministers consider legislative measures that would mean newspapers which are not approved by a regulator must pay costs in such actions, win or lose. Richard Rampton, QC, for The Times, told the court: “Freedom of expression is vital to the health of a democracy.

Source: The Times January 27, 2017 00:04 UTC