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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:
sparklybits · 27/02/2007 08:10

utterly ridiculous - the mail on sunday has hardly cooled the situtaion by quoting the claimant as saying 'my site is nothing like mn' in a 'sniffily' way.

Each to their own, as we all know

If the lawyers acting against MN are reading this please understand that as a user of mumsnet I have a brain. I'd never heard of your client before. I have now and as a result would know what I'm looking at in a bookshop. It wouldn't stop me buying one, even if just in curiosity. I honestly think that your client has gained publicity from this and should take the rough with the smooth. We are all adults.

I urge you to mediate on this rather than make your client alienate her audience further. I'm happy to write these comments in a non-anonymous way, perhaps by letter to the lawyers offices if this would allow me to stand up & be counted.

mateychops · 27/02/2007 08:21

Interestingly, I posted on the DM comment section under the article last night, using my RL name. It's not appeared, and reading through this thread, there seems to be others who have done the same.

It would be interesting to do a role call, to see who else has not been able to express their view on the DM comment section.

fortyplus · 27/02/2007 08:54

I have posted a message on the Daily Mail website this morning - wouldn't normally touch the bloody rag with a bargepole but this is too important

Justaboutmanaging · 27/02/2007 09:06

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fortyplus · 27/02/2007 09:09

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hellywobs · 27/02/2007 09:24

I thought it was interesting that the lady concerned is also watching India Knight in the Times (IK said in a recent article that she was giving the lady's lawyers a "cheery wave"). I don't understand why someone so successful should be so sensitive.

I do think that MN needs to look at the type of forum this is. There are some very nasty personal comments on here from time to time and there needs to be a facility to edit comments.

Maybe we do need some moderators? The board does not work as a self-moderating forum - especially when the subjects are contentious like BF or MMR or working mums.

zippitippitoes · 27/02/2007 09:26

no moderators because of problems arising that is editing for publication

Judy1234 · 27/02/2007 09:28

I think there's more risk of legal liability if you check everything first (see my points below). I don't like sites where you have to wait an age for things to be checked.

Anyway the pragmatic answer is to settle on some sum which is less than you'd be paying lawyer to fight something even if it stick in the dullet to do so and then both have an agreed press release which makes both of you think you've won and go away and forget about it.

NadineBaggott · 27/02/2007 09:44

Josie Grove the 16 year old who refused more treatment for her leukaemia so she could have quality time in her final months has died.

Think about that SWMNBN with 'hurt feelings'

BabiesEverywhere · 27/02/2007 09:53

My comment I put yesterday in to that 'newspaper' site wasn't published.

It is saying 23 people commented on this article, rubbish

NurseyJo · 27/02/2007 10:02

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katzg · 27/02/2007 10:33

i have sent my comments - doubt they will be published

LieselVentouse · 27/02/2007 10:41

I think a petition is a good idea, sorry did I already say that

Fubsy · 27/02/2007 10:47

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Freckle · 27/02/2007 11:01

I posted a message early yesterday, but it hasn't appeared either. Selection process in operation there.

Mummypumpkin · 27/02/2007 11:22

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Mummypumpkin · 27/02/2007 11:23

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LieselVentouse · 27/02/2007 11:25

Since SWBKL;FGJLAK can go to the papers why cant we?

katzg · 27/02/2007 12:21

hmmm the lastest comment - wonder who that could be!!

i got in a newspaper! yeah!

MerlinsBeard · 27/02/2007 12:28

well my 3 comments haven;t made it and one of them was very balanced!

LieselVentouse · 27/02/2007 12:35

Katz - you Katherine? Go girl

lisalisa · 27/02/2007 12:45

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Eleusis · 27/02/2007 12:47

Did you mention the forbidden name?

lisalisa · 27/02/2007 12:48

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lisalisa · 27/02/2007 12:48

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