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Chambers Bar Awards 2008

 

British Chiropractic Association v Singh - BCA admits defeat.
The BCA today served a Notice of Discontinuance bringing to an end its ill-fated libel claim against Dr Simon Singh arising out of criticisms he made of its promotion of treatments for childhood ailments.
 
Dr Singh's predicament as the sole defendant in an action brought in respect of a comment piece in the Guardian newspaper (to which the BCA  never directed any complaint) was seen as a rallying point for those concerned about the abuse of UK libel laws in connection with scientific debate.
 
Interest intensified when Eady J ruled that his words were not comment and that in order to defend himself he would have to prove the objective truth of what he wrote.
 
Earlier this month the Court of Appeal overturned that ruling and this has lead the BCA to abandon its claim.
 
William McCormick QC acted for Dr Singh instructed by Robert Dougans of Bryan Cave LLP.
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