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Johnny Depp case: What are the libel laws and how do they work? Johnny Depp case: What are the libel laws and how do they work?
(32 minutes later)
After weeks of revelations and accusations in court about his personal relationships, actor Johnny Depp's mammoth legal action against The Sun for libel is coming to an end - with a judgement expected at the end of the summer.After weeks of revelations and accusations in court about his personal relationships, actor Johnny Depp's mammoth legal action against The Sun for libel is coming to an end - with a judgement expected at the end of the summer.
But what are the libel laws and how do they work?But what are the libel laws and how do they work?
What is libel?What is libel?
Libel is part of the law of defamation. It's a way of asking the courts to protect our reputation if we feel we have been wronged by something that has been published in permanent form. If the defamatory words have merely been said in public, that's known as slander.Libel is part of the law of defamation. It's a way of asking the courts to protect our reputation if we feel we have been wronged by something that has been published in permanent form. If the defamatory words have merely been said in public, that's known as slander.
Mr Depp says that The Sun libelled him because it published an article that was defamatory. The article said he was a "wife beater" amid allegations about his relationship with his former wife, Amber Heard.Mr Depp says that The Sun libelled him because it published an article that was defamatory. The article said he was a "wife beater" amid allegations about his relationship with his former wife, Amber Heard.
He says that has caused enormous damage to his reputation - which ultimately will cause him losses in his career and life.He says that has caused enormous damage to his reputation - which ultimately will cause him losses in his career and life.
Is this a law to protect celebrities?Is this a law to protect celebrities?
Defamation court battles can be very expensive - but anyone who thinks they have been defamed can sue.Defamation court battles can be very expensive - but anyone who thinks they have been defamed can sue.
Companies, like individuals, have reputations to defend - so they too can go to court.Companies, like individuals, have reputations to defend - so they too can go to court.
How can Johnny Depp sue when he lives in Los Angeles?How can Johnny Depp sue when he lives in Los Angeles?
It doesn't matter that he lives in the US.It doesn't matter that he lives in the US.
In English law, the key fact in the case is that the alleged defamation was published in the UK, where he has a reputation too that he says has been seriously harmed. The key fact in the case is that the alleged defamation was published in the UK, where he has a reputation too that he says has been seriously harmed.
Does the law of defamation apply to what I say online?Does the law of defamation apply to what I say online?
Absolutely. Anything that you publish openly on social media that is allegedly wrong and harmful to another person or company could end up being very expensive.Absolutely. Anything that you publish openly on social media that is allegedly wrong and harmful to another person or company could end up being very expensive.
One well-known current example of an online defamation case is the so-called "Wagatha Christie" row between two wives of top footballers.One well-known current example of an online defamation case is the so-called "Wagatha Christie" row between two wives of top footballers.
Rebekah Vardy (married to Leicester's Jamie Vardy) has recently commenced a libel action claiming Colleen Rooney (married to former England captain, Wayne Rooney) falsely accused her on Instagram of giving journalists stories about her private life.Rebekah Vardy (married to Leicester's Jamie Vardy) has recently commenced a libel action claiming Colleen Rooney (married to former England captain, Wayne Rooney) falsely accused her on Instagram of giving journalists stories about her private life.
What's The Sun's defence in the Johnny Depp case?What's The Sun's defence in the Johnny Depp case?
In defamation, the onus is on the party who is accused of damaging someone's reputation to defend the words they used - and there are five ways that someone can see off the claim in court: Defamation law is slightly different between England and Scotland but, in general terms, the onus is on the party who is accused of damaging someone's reputation to defend the words they used.
In England, there are five ways that someone can see off the claim in court:
Can anyone sue, at any time?
If someone believes they have been defamed in England, they have to begin their case within a year of the publication.
In Scotland it's three years - but with a twist. If the article or comment was published online, the three-year clock starts ticking from the last download. Critics say this means there's no deadline at all, and therefore the law is unfair to journalists.
So how do libel cases end?So how do libel cases end?
Basically in four ways: In four ways: