Freedom of speech
Mary Beard speaks more sense on this issue than most. Whilst it is appropriate to contractually restrict those that work for an organisation from making any comment that directly undermines that organisation’s reputation, any attempt to restrict the expression of genuinely held personal views must be approached with extreme caution.
The dangers of giving more power to employers to govern the expression of opinion of employers is self-evident in the Fox US defamation case. And when it involves a major broadcaster, it gives credibility to fake news which damages us all.
Gary Lineker says he does not fear BBC suspension over asylum policy tweet – BBC News
Other Insights
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21st May 2026Lifting the lid on claims of “parental alienation” – increased access for journalists in family court proceedings
An overview of a recent High Court decision exploring increased transparency in family courts, with a focus on parental alienation and journalist access.
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8th May 2026Taxi for “directing mind and will”! A suitable vehicle has arrived: the Crime and Policing Act 2026
From 29 June 2026, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 (“CPA”) significantly expands corporate criminal liability in the UK. Companies and partnerships may now be held liable for any criminal offence committed by a senior manager acting within the actual or apparent scope of their authority, regardless of where the entity is incorporated. In practice, as we discuss in this note, application of the attribution test is not as straightforward as advertised and the likelihood of prosecution will depend heavily on the application of public interest factors.
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24th April 2026EMI reform now in force: expanded opportunities for growing UK businesses
Significant reforms to the UK’s Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) regime came into effect on 6 April 2026, marking the most substantial expansion of the scheme since its introduction. The changes are intended to modernise EMI for today’s growth economy by widening eligibility, increasing flexibility and simplifying administration. For scale ups and mid market businesses, the reformed regime presents a timely opportunity to revisit long term incentive planning.
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