From: the_todal@icloud.com 
  
 On 27/08/2025 11:14, JNugent wrote: 
 > On 26/08/2025 19:01, billy bookcase wrote: 
 >> "JNugent"  wrote in message 
 >> news:mh0cg6Ft44aU2@mid.individual.net... 
 >>> 
 >>> When did it become a crime (in [England] and Wales, if not the 
 >>> whole UK) to express one's opinion? 
 >>> 
 >> 
 >> How would any date after 1066, suit ? 
 >> 
 >> quote: 
 >> 
 >> Defamatory libel was originally an offence under the common law of 
 >> England. It was established in England and Wales and in Northern Ireland. 
 >> It was or is a form of criminal libel, a term with which it is 
 >> synonymous.[1] 
 >> 
 >> The common law offence of defamatory libel was abolished[2] for England 
 >> and Wales and Northern Ireland on 12 January 2010. 
 >> Section 4 of the Libel Act 1843 which created an aggravated statutory 
 >> offence was also repealed. 
 >> 
 >> :unquote 
 >> 
 >> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defamatory_libel 
 >> 
 >> One famous case being of course, Goldsmith v Pressdram Ltd [1977] 
 > 
 > You are aware that it is a defence against an action to publish one's 
 > honestly-held opinion, laws on defamation notwithstanding? 
 > 
 > Defamation Act 2013, though that is merely a restatement of previous 
 > legislation. 
 > 
 > It is hard to see how Connolly's honest opinion could be other than that 
 > she has been treadted harshly and shabbily. After all, that is also the 
 > opinion of a good many other people. 
 > 
  
 I think one of Connolly's complaints is that she was pressurised to 
 plead guilty and should have been encouraged to plead not guilty. Which 
 is an implied criticism of her barrister. 
  
 I wonder if a barrister has ever sued a former client for defamation, 
 for the allegation that the client was given advice that was inaccurate 
 and/or oppressive. It seems clear from the Court of Appeal transcript 
 that in fact such a complaint from her would be without foundation. 
  
 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)