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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Fund to support Mumsnet through the battle

145 replies

ChandraVilla · 08/08/2006 21:32

Some other websites like Damsels, Downsizer and Freeforum have kindly offered to raise awareness and money to support Mumsnet through a legal battle.

As these posts are at a risk of being overlooked as have been posted in the long Nobody's threads, I'm starting this thread. If you want to contribute in someway, be it ideas to help MN or to send some money for the cause please post here

OP posts:
WideWebWitch · 16/08/2006 22:15

Thanks for the update Justine. Have a nice(r) holiday!

So, no backing down from FA hey? Oh well, this will be er, interesting, then.

Gosh, I'm not sure I'd do the same in GF's position tbh but then....mutter mutter mutter and other things I can't say

Happy to donate and otherwise get involved, I think this is an important issue.

iPodthereforiPoor · 16/08/2006 20:00

I had "her" solicitors when unsuccessfully sorting out access for DS - hope it goes the same way for MN!

wannaBe1974 · 16/08/2006 18:53

I have to say that this doesn't sound very positive, generally lawyers will go to court if they feel they have a high chance of winning a case, especially one that has the potential to be this high profile. If they lose, then a future reputation could be at steak and imo they wouldn't be wanting to risk that. Is it worth mn contacting someone like liberty or netfreedom.org (UK based internet freedom organization) to see if they would be interested in taking on the case?

Settling would be a very bad thing for mn, as usually out-of-court settlements also include gagging orders which mean mn would no longer be able to discuss the situation in public - either on here or in the media, and hence the campaign for mn would have to be closed as we couldn't go public.

morningpaper · 16/08/2006 14:26

hey soapbox what do you mean

this is just a mummies chat board

it's not like anyone ever reads it

batters · 16/08/2006 14:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

UrsulatheSeawitch · 16/08/2006 13:56

This reply has been deleted

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soapbox · 16/08/2006 13:44

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soapbox · 16/08/2006 13:44

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morningpaper · 16/08/2006 13:03

I don't understand what the original issue is ... still the defamation, against mumsnet? Despite the fact that you pulled all the posts almost immediately?

So will you be defending that (a) you are not responsible and took all reasonable steps to remove it or (b) it was not defamatory or (c) both?

CountessDracula · 16/08/2006 12:47

It may certainly be worth contacting the bar pro bono unit

katesa · 16/08/2006 12:34

If this is likely to become a precedent setting case about freedom of speech on the internet then is there not the possibility of getting one of the human rights law firms to take it on pro bono if it does go to court? Just a thought.

batters · 16/08/2006 12:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bugsy2 · 16/08/2006 11:18

Heavens, what disappointing news Justine. I am so ignorant about legal matters regarding libel that I'm not entirely sure about the significance of the threats from the other side.
I have contributed & will happily contribute more, if required.
Is there anything else that can be done in campaigning terms? I don't have a great deal of freedom timewise for demos, but I can belt off emails & letters to anyone you can think of who would be useful.

CountessDracula · 16/08/2006 11:04

(rapid arse covering from CD)

CountessDracula · 16/08/2006 11:03

(I don't mean FA I mean lawyers in general)

CountessDracula · 16/08/2006 11:03

They also hike their rates absurdly if they win.

Marina · 16/08/2006 10:58

That sounds ominous Justine
Hope it is just sabre-rattling from Foot Anstey

CountessDracula · 16/08/2006 10:54

For a CFA even if you are claiming damages of a billion quid, if you win with an award of 1p that is success.

The law firm has to absorb their costs if they lose

zippitippitoes · 16/08/2006 10:52

Is it right that under cfa a success fee will also be paid to the lawyers in addition to any costs /damages and the success fee might be 100% of the initial fee?

CountessDracula · 16/08/2006 10:45

Blimey they are going for a CFA? They must be pretty sure of winning.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 16/08/2006 10:39

Hi all,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you - am officially on hols but dipping in!
Ok so here's where we are:
In their latest correspondence, GF's lawyers told us that they have entered into a conditional fee arrangement and that they were under instructions to apply for insurance as of last friday (this is part of the procedure you go through when you prepare to sue). We do not know whether they did actually apply for insurance on Friday or not, we are waiting to hear from them and we are still hoping to negotiate a settlement. The lawyers say also they are considering a seperate action for "infringement of copyright" unless we we remove their letter to our ISP from the site.

So far we have been able to meet our legal costs from internal revenue but if the dispute continues this will no longer be feasible.

It's very hard to put a figure on what things might cost but essentially there are a couple of scenarios:

a) We settle, in which case any funds raised go towards legal cost to date.
b) We go to court in which case we will have our own increased legal costs plus the possibility of Ms Ford's costs and even damages being awarded against us. Obviously this would be a tidy sum.

We completely understand that some of those keen to contribute to a fighting fund might want to see what happens next before dipping into their pockets. We promise to keep you closely in touch.
Thanks again for your support.
MNHQ

myfreeforum · 16/08/2006 09:25

We have payed an initial donatation, but are prepared to chip in more, I think like many who are keen to support but at the same time not rolling in cash it is going to be useful to see some ongoing information on what is needed and how the fund is doing.

jesk · 15/08/2006 22:21

why not put an ad for funds in the back of Private Eye?

MNHQ
carriemumsnet · 15/08/2006 21:48

Hi all

Just back from hols and trying to get up to speed on everything...Guess I missed quite a lot although the Daily Mail did make it to Spain . Justine was talking with the lawyers today and I hope to be able to get back with some answers to your questions as soon as possible, but please bear with us if it takes a day or so.

Belated thanks too to everyone for your messages of support - I've been ploughing through emails and threads all day and have been really moved by the tremendous response to all this.

Best go before I start gushing....

Carrie

morningpaper · 15/08/2006 19:29

Hi Justine, I'm confused about the case too. What are we fighting?!?! Is it the defamation thing as instructed in the letter we've seen, or is it because we've seen the letter, or is it because a moderated talkboard shouldn't be pre-moderated i.e. the owners shouldn't be liable for defamatory remarks?

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