what are your opinions on the mclibel decision??

now the european court has ruled that the original trial was unfair?

[Statto]

didn't they only rule it was unfair that the mclibel duo din't get legal aid



must read up on this

didn't they only rule it was unfair that the mclibel duo din't get legal aid



must read up on this

thats exactly what they ruled.

"the denial of legal aid to the applicants had deprived them of the opportunity to present their case effectively before the court and contributed to an unacceptable inequality of arms with mcdonald's," it wrote.

the ruling also argued there was "a strong public interest in enabling such groups and individuals outside the mainstream to contribute to the public debate".

"this was a david and goliath case," the pair's lawyer, mark stephens, said.



i think the biggest part of the decision is to do with the fact that the european courts have placed significant value on independant and non mainstream viewpoints in this type of case. they have recognised that its not right for a large company to squash anyone who threatens them under a ton of paperwork and legal costs...