Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Site stuff

Join our Innovation Panel to try new features early and help make Mumsnet better.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

Update on the Gina Ford legal situation

732 replies

JustineMumsnet · 25/02/2007 19:58

Hello all,
Some of you may have seen a Gina Ford interview in the Mail on Sunday today, in which she refers to the Mumsnet legal situation, so we thought it was only right to update you as to where we are.

We are due to go to mediation on March 7th. Our position with regard to this hasn't changed - since very early on in the dispute we have suggested mediation as a sensible way forward and so we are pleased to be meeting with Ms Ford and her lawyers on March 7th.

In the meantime GF has issued a claim form, which means that the court clock is now running and we have to put in our defence within 28 days.

Obviously, as Ms Ford has made clear by this action and by her statements in the Mail on Sunday if mediation fails, she intends to sue.

We're sorry that we are still having to ask you not to discuss Gina Ford or her methods but given the potential for something that may be used against Mumsnet to slip through, this probably remains the safest course of action.

We will, of course, keep you fully updated.

Thanks for all your support.
Mumsnet HQ

OP posts:
Tinker · 03/03/2007 17:04

I think they're just rehashing what they've read elsewhere - doubt they've bothered to research the quote properly.

fuzzywuzzy · 03/03/2007 16:58

I have to say, I cannot see how on earth MP's quote can be misconstrued as serious, it is so obviously a sarcastic remark!!! It always makes me question whether the person quoting MP has any grip on reality whatsoever.... It's such a silly remark to be quoted with a straight face, it sounds utterly ridiculous when anyone tries to make it to be an outrageous accusation, infact so does the quiestionable hygiene one tbh!!!!

Tamum · 03/03/2007 16:56

Yes, that is really irritating, isn't it Tinker- it completely changes the whole sense of the thing.

Tamum · 03/03/2007 16:53

Oh, I missed that Fusby, sorry!

Tinker · 03/03/2007 16:46

But they always get mp's quote out of context which does bug me.

Fubsy · 03/03/2007 16:32

Tamum, it was mentioned in the MOS that MN members hide behind silly nicknames. I was just saying that I thought that was normal for an internet forum!

Judy1234 · 03/03/2007 14:20

I think if mumsnet were sued (and there is a limited company called that but it doesn't seem to be mentioned on the site - another issue) but not the people who made the comments, in lots of cases those people would be brought into the case too and have to pay the damages particularly as the terms of the site say do not make defamatory comments.

Judy1234 · 03/03/2007 14:07

I don't think so even if it were defamatory. It's like someone saying "ABC said Tony Blair is a liar" which is different from saying "Tony Blair is a liar".

TheLibrarian · 03/03/2007 13:58

OOK!

CAMy · 03/03/2007 13:52

Isn't that repeating the (alleged) defamation?

WideWebWitch · 03/03/2007 13:44

I see morningpaper's quote gets another airing in The Times!

Tamum · 03/03/2007 13:27

There's no problem at all Fusby, who said there was? We're just joking about using them in a court context.

Judy1234 · 03/03/2007 12:58

As see page 25 of today's Times.

NappiesGalore · 03/03/2007 11:50

thanks xenia

Judy1234 · 03/03/2007 10:18

NG, I think they're having a confidential meeting with both sides and presumably their lawyers to discuss if they can finish the dispute. If that doesn't work they might get sued or might not.

NappiesGalore · 03/03/2007 09:18

er, aplogies...RL getting in the way of my mning... anyone care to summarise the current situation pls? or link to an article you all seem to be knowing about? or something...

foxybrown · 02/03/2007 21:07

Suspected there was a reason behind the article.

Eleusis · 02/03/2007 20:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Fubsy · 02/03/2007 17:29

What on earth is the problem with silly names? I use some craft forums, DP uses motorbike, surfing and running ones, all use "silly names". I thought it was pretty standard.

Isnt it part of the fun - also stops you getting stalked if someone recognises you!

Judy1234 · 02/03/2007 17:25

They're usually just with a judge now, I think. They have also curbed large damages awards. These things are all about costs really more than damages which is why mediation and early settlement is always better.

Tamum · 02/03/2007 14:25

If only we were in the US we could plead the fifth about our silly names....

EmmyLouArris · 02/03/2007 14:22

"And what was your silly name?"

ohsmellyjelly · 02/03/2007 14:22

Message withdrawn

Tamum · 02/03/2007 14:21

Like "Are you, or have you ever been, a member of mumsnet" Emmylou

ohsmellyjelly · 02/03/2007 14:19

Message withdrawn