Gonçalo Amaral confirms he will appeal the damages decision to higher Court.

[ferryman]

My understanding is that whatever happened to the child hasn't been proven in a criminal court, and is therefore not applicable to this civil case.

And that goes both ways, but IMO that decision (which was also the case in the Murat appeal) has made it more difficult for the McCanns.

I don't see how this case would have seen the light of day in a UK court if Amaral had had to actually substantiate anything beyond waving a police record in the air.

If, by that, you mean the case wouldn't have seen light of day in UK court because Amaral's guilt (of libel!) would be inarguable, then agreed.

That's why neither Amaral's book nor his video would have seen light of day (for sale!) in England.

But if you mean anything else, then disagreed.

[pegasus]

Are documents submitted in the 2008 High Court case publically accessible?

[ferryman]

Are documents submitted in the 2008 High Court case publicly accessible?

In respect of what?

[pegasus]

How were the estimated costs of appealing arrived at?

Presumably estimated hours at xxx euros an hour plus court fees costs etc.
Same way the other side works out the cost of fighting against the appeal.
Except for them its probably more like 4 times xxxx euros an hour?
And that's just one side of them.

[Brietta]

£30K is less than the initial estimated cost of appealing.
I predict GFM will go over £100K when the GBP really hear about it.
Its important that it does, so the GBP can stick their fingers in the air at a couple of billionaires who pay the other side's legal expenses

I think that you are correct that Mr Amaral will want a great deal more to be contributed to his fund ... and I am sure there are those among his following who will feel themselves only too privileged to keep their contributions going.

I fear you will be greatly disappointed if you are holding out the hope the Great British Public will be falling over themselves to contribute ... I think the number of those willing to give him money has reached its zenith ... and any future number count will rely on repeat donations just as the present one does.

Surely Portuguese contributors must also be digging deep although neither you nor I know what is going in and what is going out of the PJGA account.

The mystery at the moment is where are the Portuguese Press in all this ... so far they seem underwhelmed.

[pegasus]

In respect of what?

To get a copy of a document submitted by LP to the HC in 2008 and to send it to Portugal.

[ferryman]

To get a copy of a document submitted by LP to the HC in 2008 and to send it to Portugal.

About what?

[pegasus]

I think that you are correct that Mr Amaral will want a great deal more to be contributed to his fund ... and I am sure there are those among his following who will feel themselves only too privileged to keep their contributions going.

I fear you will be greatly disappointed if you are holding out the hope the Great British Public will be falling over themselves to contribute ... I think the number of those willing to give him money has reached its zenith ... and any future number count will rely on repeat donations just as the present one does.

Surely Portuguese contributors must also be digging deep although neither you nor I know what is going in and what is going out of the PJGA account.

The mystery at the moment is where are the Portuguese Press in all this ... so far they seem underwhelmed.

Yes the silence of the press (in both countries) is a mystery.
We know the two current SIOs have been very busy working together this year but have released no information about what they are doing. Is it possible the two SIOs have 'arranged' for press in both countries to keep quiet about the whole case for a while? Wouldn't it be great if they are about to really solve the case?

[Carana]

If, by that, you mean the case wouldn't have seen light of day in UK court because Amaral's guilt (of libel!) would be inarguable, then agreed.

That's why neither Amaral's book nor his video would have seen light of day (for sale!) in England.

But if you mean anything else, then disagreed.

Sorry, that wasn't clear. Yes, I do mean that no UK publisher / broadcaster without a death wish would have gone near Amaral's "works" with a 10-foot bargepole as waving a police record in the air means zilch, quite aside from the so-called hearsay assertions, "honest opinion" and numerous other points.

[pegasus]

About what?

You presumably have the book on your shelf. Page 316. Can Joe Public apply to the High Court office for a copy of this document?

[Brietta]

Yes the silence of the press (in both countries) is a mystery.
We know the two current SIOs have been very busy working together this year but have released no information about what they are doing. Is it possible the two SIOs have 'arranged' for press in both countries to keep quiet about the whole case for a while? Wouldn't it be great if they are about to really solve the case?

Dr McCann is not going to break her silence to comment on progress in the case and the close working relationship between Scotland Yard and the Polícia Judiciária if it would risk the investigation in any way whatsoever.
She sounded very positive so I think things must be going well, I agree it would be the best news if they can solve the case and the sooner the better.

[Alfred R Jones]

Yes the silence of the press (in both countries) is a mystery.
We know the two current SIOs have been very busy working together this year but have released no information about what they are doing. Is it possible the two SIOs have 'arranged' for press in both countries to keep quiet about the whole case for a while? Wouldn't it be great if they are about to really solve the case?

What does "really solve the case" mean to you?  Does it mean actually solve it, or does it mean charge the McCanns with something?

[Carana]

Yes the silence of the press (in both countries) is a mystery.
We know the two current SIOs have been very busy working together this year but have released no information about what they are doing. Is it possible the two SIOs have 'arranged' for press in both countries to keep quiet about the whole case for a while? Wouldn't it be great if they are about to really solve the case?

Well, as Amaral was fond of saying, "justice works in silence". Perhaps it's finally happening.

[slartibartfast]

What does "really solve the case" mean to you?  Does it mean actually solve it, or does it mean charge the McCanns with something?

....as opposed to only charge someone else.

[Alfred R Jones]

....as opposed to only charge someone else.

No, if the Met find strong evidence to charge the McCanns I will be astounded, disappointed but also glad that the case has been solved (assuming they were also found guilty).  If someone else is charged would you go through similar emotions?