Super Injunctions
An injunction is a court order requiring a defendant to stop or start an action as requested by the plaintiff in the case. Most people are most familiar with the idea of injunctions as they apply to family law disputes. A wife who has been assaulted by her spouse, for example, may obtain an injunction to keep her husband from coming to her place of residence or business.
Much less familiar to most people is the concept of a super injunction. This kind of injunction is used to prevent the press from reporting about a specific issue; in most cases the issue involves a celebrity or another person with a very public image such as a politician. The super injunction is used to keep the press from disseminating any news about a specific issue that the plaintiff wishes to keep quiet. Quite often, the issue is related to some aspect of a celebrity's personal life, such as an extramarital affair.
More than an Ordinary Injunction
A super injunction by its very nature prohibits the press from disclosing the existence of the injunction itself. This is what makes a super injunction different from all other forms of injunction. With a standard injunction, there is no limitation on freedom of the press; newspapers as well as television and online news organisations are free to report on the injunction and analyse it as much as they wish. With a super injunction, however, the moment it is issued, reporters are not permitted to mention it in any way.
Controversy over Super Injunctions
The practice of granting super injunctions has become controversial of late because increasing numbers of prominent members of society are pursuing them in order to stop unfavourable press coverage of their activities. The secrecy that goes along with super injunctions makes it difficult to determine exactly how many have been issued, but some analysts suspect that as many as 30 public figures have taken advantage of them recently to prevent internet coverage as well as publication via more traditional press outlets.
Obtaining a Super Injunction
Although super injunctions have become the subject of criticism, as long as they remain available, prominent public figures should regard them as one more tool available to them as they deal with personal or business issues. A super injunction is usually obtained during a private meeting between a judge and defamation solicitors; sometimes the process takes only hours to complete.
Southampton Row Solicitors has significant experience working with the courts to protect the privacy of clients. Southampton Row Solicitors has extensive and recent experience dealing with the kinds of privacy challenges that arise in the Information Age and as a result, the firm has become expert at litigating internet defamation cases.
In addition to dealing with the injunction, Southampton Row Solicitors can assist clients in managing all of their public relations needs. Close relationships between the firm and PR experts can help to keep journalists updated correctly throughout the stress that is part and parcel of a high profile court case.
