A MERSEYSIDE law firm has set up a dedicated political unit after taking on a large number of libel cases involving politicians and activists.
Kirwans Solicitors, which has offices in Liverpool and Wirral, made the move after acting in six such cases in six months. They say more are in the pipeline.
The new team is headed by defamation expert Michael Sandys, who is also a partner and head of Kirwans’ commercial team. He is supported by senior partner David Kirwans, Wirral’s only independent councillor.
Among the cases Kirwans have recently taken on is Wirral West Tory parliamentary candidate Esther McVey’s libel fight with sitting Labour MP Stephen Hesford.
The firm has also acted for Margaret Kalil, a former chairwoman of Wirral West Conservatives. Mrs Kalil successfully forced an apology and compensation from another senior Tory, Cllr David Elderton, after a series of unfounded email allegations.
Mr Sandys said: “We live in a society where we are constantly surrounded by news, gossip, speculation and innuendo through many different mediums.
“The days when we depended for our information solely on our newspapers, TV and radio have long since gone. Now we are just as likely to hear via websites, blogs, emails, mobile phone texts and social networking sites. While there are many undoubted benefits to these advances in technology, there are also dangers.
“One of the most serious and potentially costly is the greater risk that people will be libelled or slandered.”
But not everyone has welcomed the opening of the new department.
Labour councillor and leader of Wirral Borough Council, Steve Foulkes, said: “In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need such a business. If everyone played with a straight bat we wouldn’t need this type of company.”
Mr Sandys added: “Our professional experience in recent months shows that no area of life is more susceptible than politics, both national and local. My colleagues and I in the Kirwans team are currently handling a wide range of defamation claims involving politicians of all parties including libel, slander and malicious falsehood. We also advise upon various legal issues regarding political parties, including expulsions and employment issues.
“In the light of this, we have taken the decision to create a dedicated political unit within the commercial department. The team is unique in that we can offer both expert legal advice and an intricate knowledge of the political scene through David’s experience as an independent councillor in Wirral.”
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