Straw cuts success charge in no-win, no-fee libel cases

[dipsydoodle]

ustice Secretary Jack Straw is to cut the "success fees" lawyers can charge in defamation cases to reduce "disproportionate" legal bills.

He said lawyers operating no-win, no-fee conditional fee agreements must cut their maximum charges from 100% to 10%.

Media groups say current laws stifle freedom of expression by forcing editors to avoid stories because of the risks of highly expensive libel action.

The changes will take effect in April and follow a Justice Ministry review.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8548485.stm

I had found it odd that we'd become like the USA on this issue.