Update on the Gina Ford legal situation

[JustineMumsnet]

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

Sorry, Justine - I didn't think agreeing with the article would be a problem.

Best of luck for 7th March

Has everyone offered their financial support as much as they can? Their was an appeal a while back and I am sure it is still open. Can anyone do a link or find it?

I do think it's worth going on about the fact you aren't checking and therefore liable for the content and no different from an ISP. This case Bunt www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2006/407.html looks at what liability of people like AOL and BT but it does hint that bulletin board operators may not be liable either in places, that if you don't check in advance you're not responsible.

someone please add the link to Justine's article again will you?..... I just cannot be bothered to scroll this whole thread.... and should be leaving for work... five mins ago!

Just to keep you updated on the mediation - it has been re-scheduled for the 13th now - Mark Stephens (our lawyer) has to be in court fighting for the rights of Aborigines on the 7th.
Thanks so much for all the kind messages.
MNHQ

All the best for the 13th, fingers crossed here.

Just wanted to say the best of luck to Justine and all at MN towers for the 13th. It is such a shame that it has come to this.

You are my lifeline and yours is the address I put on all the welcome cards I send to pals journeying down the mummy road for the first time. MN discussions board being by far the best cure for blue-days, tricky days and o-my-god-this-is-all-so-new days.

I thought the ES article was fab, and it makes me extremely angry that two maternity leaves were affected by this.

You have my wholehearted support.

Am I the only one getting the pop up on other threds ofr a debat on five alive about her.

Can I second Eve

Hi Eve and Indignatio

Don't worry we haven't been hacked into - we did know this ad was coming and it is genuine.

We were asked to contribute to the program with regard to the Mumsnet situation, which we did. The makers assured us they planned to be balanced, which was a key factor in our involvement.

Though we did think for a while about whether we should run this ad, on reflection we couldn't see why we should not - particularly as it goes a good way to meeting our mediation costs .
Best,
MNHQ

So this legal issue will be mentioned on that program ?
Goes to set video to record it

I think it might - though haven't seen prog...

thanks, littlelapin, for the link.
Brilliant article.

How could any childcare expert live with her conscience if her action caused a website such as Mumsnet to close down?

Justine and Carri, good luck and good wishes.

What a ridiculous situation you have been put in. Good luck - you're the best thing on the net!

Am going to wait for the outcome of mediation. My books are well-thumbed and loved, but its about respect. I might even ask for a refund as I don't wish to contribute to the cause!!!