Can we judge a person's character by their stance on the case?

[Holly Goodhead]

The Law is somewhat different in Portugal.

But ultimately it is the ECHR who gets to decide.  Lol will Brexit affect the outcome?

[Eleanor]

But ultimately it is the ECHR who gets to decide.  Lol will Brexit affect the outcome?

I have no idea.  Does anyone?

[jassi]

But ultimately it is the ECHR who gets to decide. Lol will Brexit affect the outcome?

No, because Portugal is not leaving the EU or the ECHR

[Vertigo Swirl]

As I said earlier I'm not a libel lawyer and even those who are can only offer up opinion which is often proved wrong in the courts.

I'm not asking you to be a lawyer, I'm asking you to be a moderator.  John says no libel is permitted so what constitutes libel? 

[Holly Goodhead]

I suppose it depends on whether or not you believe in Innocent Until Proven Guilty.

But it works both ways.  I believe Bamber is a miscarriage of justice despite the fact he was found guilty in a court of law over 3 decades ago and his case has been to the appeal courts twice.  In the eyes of the law and most Bamber is guilty but I have freedom of speech to voice my opinions to the contrary. 

Even if MM is found alive tomorrow it will not stop the McCann critics making all sorts of spurious claims. 

Imo the McCanns are absolute fools to get involved in litigation and the lawyers will not encourage them otherwise since this is how they make their living.  They want the pounds rolling in and the kudos of winning a high profile case.

[Holly Goodhead]

I'm not asking you to be a lawyer, I'm asking you to be a moderator.  John says no libel is permitted so what constitutes libel?

If anyone here believes the McCanns are not involved, as I do, they're better off posting up their arguments than attempting to silence their critics by over moderation. 

[jassi]

But it works both ways.  I believe Bamber is a miscarriage of justice despite the fact he was found guilty in a court of law over 3 decades ago and his case has been to the appeal courts twice.  In the eyes of the law and most Bamber is guilty but I have freedom of speech to voice my opinions to the contrary. 

Even if MM is found alive tomorrow it will not stop the McCann critics making all sorts of spurious claims. 

Imo the McCanns are absolute fools to get involved in litigation and the lawyers will not encourage them otherwise since this is how they make their living.  They want the pounds rolling in and the kudos of winning a high profile case.

Making all sorts of claims.

You would need to know what they were before attempting to assess whether they were valid or spurious.

[Eleanor]

But it works both ways.  I believe Bamber is a miscarriage of justice despite the fact he was found guilty in a court of law over 3 decades ago and his case has been to the appeal courts twice.  In the eyes of the law and most Bamber is guilty but I have freedom of speech to voice my opinions to the contrary. 

Even if MM is found alive tomorrow it will not stop the McCann critics making all sorts of spurious claims. 

Imo the McCanns are absolute fools to get involved in litigation and the lawyers will not encourage them otherwise since this is how they make their living.  They want the pounds rolling in and the kudos of winning a high profile case.

Arguing that someone is innocent is hardly the same as saying they are guilty.

Carter Ruck work for The McCanns on a No Win, No Fee basis.

[Vertigo Swirl]

If anyone here believes the McCanns are not involved, as I do, they're better off posting up their arguments than attempting to silence their critics by over moderation.

That's a mealy mouthed reply and really doesn't make things clear at all.  Can you please clarify the rules on libel on this forum otherwise how on earth are we expected to adhere to them?

[Holly Goodhead]

Making all sorts of claims.

You would need to know what they were before attempting to assess whether they were valid or spurious.

The idea this Bennett character is going to send the McCanns a heartfelt written apology along with a bouquet of flowers isn't going to happen imo.  Those at the extreme end will say the McCanns arranged the abduction so they could devote more time to the twins or other such nonsense. 

[Holly Goodhead]

Arguing that someone is innocent is hardly the same as saying they are guilty.

Isn't it? 

Carter Ruck work for The McCanns on a No Win, No Fee basis.

I was thinking of Isobel Duarte?

[jassi]

The idea this Bennett character is going to send the McCanns a heartfelt written apology along with a bouquet of flowers isn't going to happen imo. Those at the extreme end will say the McCanns arranged the abduction so they could devote more time to the twins or other such nonsense.

So they might.
It would make for an interesting twist and enliven the various forums for at least another few years.

[Holly Goodhead]

That's a mealy mouthed reply and really doesn't make things clear at all.  Can you please clarify the rules on libel on this forum otherwise how on earth are we expected to adhere to them?

You've spent the last hour or two telling me what the libel laws are and now you're asking me to explain them.  How many more times, I'm not a libel lawyer.

I think we do just fine here.  The board reaches a natural equilibrium in that we have a balance of both camps.  Excessive moderation would stifle healthy debate. 

[Holly Goodhead]

So they might.
It would make for an interesting twist and enliven the various forums for at least another few years.

It certainly would 

[Holly Goodhead]

No, because Portugal is not leaving the EU or the ECHR

But the country in which the plaintiffs reside will be according to BoJo so will this affect the outcome?