The weapons of lawfare -- Why free speech? -- Defamation -- Privacy -- Reform?

"The British tradition of 'free speech' is a myth. For centuries the law of defamation has worked to cover up misbehaviour by the rich and powerful, whose legal mercenaries intimidate those who seek to expose it. Now, through a misguided judicial development of the laws of privacy, breach of confidence and data protection, a new terror has been added to suppress the reporting of truths of public importance. This is lawfare, in which authors struggle against unfair rules and a costs burden that runs to millions. Law schools do not teach freedom of speech and judges in the Supreme Court do not understand it. Drawing on the author's unparalleled experience in courtrooms over the past half-century, this book identifies and advocated the reforms that will be necessary before Britain can truly boast that it is a land of free speech, rather than a place where free speech can become very expensive."-- Taken from dust jacket.