News UK

• As actor Hugh Grant’s decision to settle his privacy claim against News Group Newspapers (NGN) shows, sometimes principles just cost too much.
• Grant announced he had reluctantly accepted an “enormous sum of money” to settle his claim against the Murdoch-owned NGN, the publisher of The Sun.
• He has accused the publisher of “phone hacking, unlawful information gathering” and “landline tapping” among other allegations, which they have denied.
• If he took the case to trial, he risked being ordered to pay NGN’s legal costs, which his lawyers advised could exceed £10 million.

What is a trial worth?

• They avoid the costs, stress and delay of a trial, and the court service is better able to cope with the high volume of other cases in the system.
• It is clear from Grant’s statements that his motivation was to hold NGN to account for unlawful information gathering.

Holding companies to account

• There is arguably a balance to be struck between the individualistic view of this case as just an issue between one person and a media company, and the wider public interest angle: that it should be possible to use the court system to hold big companies to account.
• There has always been an element of bigger companies using their deep pockets in litigation, but this rule adds another layer of protection for those that can afford to make a generous offer.

Megan Shirley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• LONDON, May 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson PLC [FTSE: PSON.L], the world's leading learning company, today announces the appointments of Alison Dolan and Alex Hardiman as independent Non-Executive Directors, with effect from June 1, 2023.
• Alison is the Chief Financial Officer at Rightmove plc, a position she has held since September 2020.
• Omid Kordestani, Pearson Chair, said: "I'm thrilled to welcome Alison and Alex to the Pearson Board at this exciting and transformational time.
• Alison Dolan said: "Pearson plays an important role in improving society through lifelong learning.

• Award-winning, social-creative agency THE FIFTH , known for its viral creator marketing campaigns, today announced a crucial hire who will spearhead the growth of its Creative team in Los Angeles.
• View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230131005497/en/
  THE FIFTH hires Brett Brown, Head of Creative (Photo: Business Wire)
  Long-time agency veteran Brett Brown, known in the industry for his unique creative vision and diverse background, joins THE FIFTH to lead the agency as it continues to experience explosive domestic growth.
• As Head of Creative, Brown will be tasked with setting the creative vision for the agency to create culturally impactful campaigns that transcend media.
• Fascinated by THE FIFTH Estate, Brown’s mission is to leverage his distinctive background to drive lasting influence and impact for clients.

• COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Dec. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) has entered into a new commercial partnership with News Corp UK & Ireland Limited.
• News UK serves millions of online readers through its premium media websites, The Sun and talkSPORT.
• GiG and News UK will join forces to deliver sports betting and casino content, and exclusive offers to users in the UK market.
• Gareth Williams, Director of Betting & Gaming at talkSPORT, added: "We are delighted to be partnering with GiG to help grow our iGaming affiliate business.