The House of Lords has told Mohammed Al Fayed he is not allowed to recover his legal costs from the financial backers of Neil Hamilton’s unsuccessful libel action against him.
Al Fayed, represented by DJ Freeman, had requested leave to appeal from the Lords against a Court of Appeal ruling that Hamilton’s backers, including the Duke of Devonshire, should not pay his costs.
The Appeal judges ruled that Hamilton’s backers were not liable for Al Fayed’s costs as this would deter 'pure funders' from helping people who cannot afford legal representation in the future.
Forsters, Mishcon de Reya, Peters & Peters and Russell Jones & Walker acted for Hamilton’s backers.
Field Fisher lands Osborne Clarke partner
Field Fisher Waterhouse has poached Osborne Clarke employment partner David Fisher. Fisher, who was based at Osborne Clarke’s London office, specialises in both contentious and non-contentious employment. First revealed on www.thelawyer.com/lawyernews 4 February