UK Court of Appeal affirmed High Court decision that English courts are a proper forum to hear a libel case between two US residents concerning statements published on US-based websites. US resident Don King sued various US residents, including Lennox Lewis and his attorney, Judd Burstein, alleging libelous statements that were published on Internet websites. The parties agreed that under English law, libel is committed where the publication takes place, and that Internet publications are published at the place where they are downloaded. However, the defendants alleged King was forum shopping, since US libel law would not permit such an action. The High Court and Court of Appeal rejected this argument in light of precedent on forum questions. All parties except Burstein had settled prior to the Court of Appeal decision.
Decision at
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/judgmentsfiles/j2844/lewis-v-king.htm
Keywords: international, jurisdiction, defamation, free speech
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