Peter Carter-Ruck
| Peter Carter-Ruck | |
|---|---|
| File:PCarterRuck.jpg | |
| Born | 26 February 1914 Steyning, West Sussex, England |
| Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. Uttlesford, Essex, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Known for | Lawyer |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Maxwell (m. 1940–2003) |
Peter Frederick Carter-Ruck (26 February 1914 – 19 December 2003) was an English lawyer, specialising in libel cases. The firm he founded, Carter-Ruck, is still practising.
Biography
Personal life
Carter-Ruck was educated at St Edward's School, Oxford. He spent three months in Germany during the 1930s, observing the rising popularity of Hitler and attending a rally in Freiburg. Upon his return, he trained as a solicitor.[1]
His daughter Julie Scott-Bayfield is also a libel lawyer.[2]
Career
Carter-Ruck's first major case was defending the Bolton Evening News successfully against a libel action brought by the Labour MP Bessie Braddock, who, they had claimed, had danced a jig in Parliament.[3]
In December 1995, Carter-Ruck acted for the royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke, in the matter of an allegation against her by Diana, Princess of Wales, that she had aborted Charles's child.[4]
Criticism
In 1980, the Daily Express editor Derek Jameson was advised by Carter-Ruck that if he sued the BBC over their portrayal of him in a Week Ending sketch, he would win at least £25,000 in damages. The barrister in the case, David Eady QC, however advised Carter-Ruck to accept the BBC's offer to settle for £10 plus costs. Carter Ruck did not disclose this advice to his client. The jury found the broadcast defamatory, but also fair comment and Jameson had to pay costs,[5] receiving a bill for £41,342.50 from Carter-Ruck. Jameson learned by chance of the QC's advice and Carter-Ruck's former partner David Hooper claimed that "Carter-Ruck told him a string of lies".[6] Carter-Ruck later claimed that he did not want to undermine Jameson's morale in court.[7]
References
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External links
- 'The Carter-Ruck chill', The Guardian comment, December 2003
- Peter Carter-Ruck obituary, Daily Telegraph, 22 December 2003
