Peter Frederick Carter-Ruck (26 February 1914 – 19 December 2003) was an English solicitor, specialising in libel cases. The firm he founded, Carter-Ruck, is still practising.
Carter-Ruck was educated at St Edward's School, Oxford. He spent three months in Germany during the 1930s, observing the rising popularity of Adolf Hitler and attending a rally in Freiburg. Upon his return, he trained and qualified as a solicitor.[1]
His daughter Julie Scott-Bayfield also became a libel lawyer.[2]
Careeredit
He was Senior Partner, Oswald Hickson, Collier & Co (1945-1981) until he founded and was Senior Partner of his own eponymous firm, Peter Carter-Ruck and Partners (1981-1998). He was Chairman, Law Society Law Reform Committee (1980-1983) and a Fellow of the Society for Advanced Legal Studies (1998-2003).[1]
Carter-Ruck's first major case was defending the Bolton Evening News successfully against a libel action brought by the LabourMPBessie Braddock, who, the paper had claimed, had danced a jig in Parliament.[1]
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 EadyQC, 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,[4] 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".[5] Carter-Ruck later claimed that he did not want to undermine Jameson's morale in court.[6]
Personal lifeedit
A yachtsman, he owned a succession of boats which he christened "Fair Judgment". He was a member of the Law Society Yacht Club, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the Royal Yacht Squadron, and the Garrick.[1]
Carter-Ruck was the founder-governor of Shiplake College at Henley.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcdeWade, Alex (22 December 2003). . The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 24 February 2009. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
^Morton, James (23 December 2003). "Obituary: Peter Carter-Ruck – Scourge of Private Eye and master of the libel laws". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
^. Time. 12 February 1996. Archived from the original on 23 December 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
^"No pain, no gain". The Northern Echo. 1 August 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
^Hooper, David (23 December 2003). "The Carter-Ruck chill". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
^Hooper, David (2000). Reputations Under Fire: Winners and Losers in the Libel Business. Little, Brown. pp. 234–241.
External linksedit
'The Carter-Ruck chill', The Guardian comment, December 2003
Peter Carter-Ruck obituary, Daily Telegraph, 22 December 2003
February 12, 2024
peter, carter, ruck, peter, frederick, carter, ruck, february, 1914, december, 2003, english, solicitor, specialising, libel, cases, firm, founded, carter, ruck, still, practising, bornpeter, frederick, carter, ruck, 1914, february, 1914steyning, sussex, engla. Peter Frederick Carter Ruck 26 February 1914 19 December 2003 was an English solicitor specialising in libel cases The firm he founded Carter Ruck is still practising Peter Carter RuckBornPeter Frederick Carter Ruck 1914 02 26 26 February 1914Steyning Sussex EnglandDied19 December 2003 2003 12 19 aged 89 Great Hallingbury Uttlesford Essex EnglandNationalityBritishEducationSt Edward s School OxfordOccupationSolicitorEmployerCarter RuckKnown forSpecialising in libel casesSpouseAnn Maxwell m 1940 died 2003 wbr Children2 Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Personal life 1 2 Career 1 3 Criticism 2 Personal life 3 References 4 External linksBiography editPersonal life edit Carter Ruck was educated at St Edward s School Oxford He spent three months in Germany during the 1930s observing the rising popularity of Adolf Hitler and attending a rally in Freiburg Upon his return he trained and qualified as a solicitor 1 His daughter Julie Scott Bayfield also became a libel lawyer 2 Career edit He was Senior Partner Oswald Hickson Collier amp Co 1945 1981 until he founded and was Senior Partner of his own eponymous firm Peter Carter Ruck and Partners 1981 1998 He was Chairman Law Society Law Reform Committee 1980 1983 and a Fellow of the Society for Advanced Legal Studies 1998 2003 1 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 the paper had claimed had danced a jig in Parliament 1 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 Prince Charles s child 3 Criticism edit 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 4 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 5 Carter Ruck later claimed that he did not want to undermine Jameson s morale in court 6 Personal life editA yachtsman he owned a succession of boats which he christened Fair Judgment He was a member of the Law Society Yacht Club the Royal Ocean Racing Club the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Garrick 1 Carter Ruck was the founder governor of Shiplake College at Henley 1 References edit a b c d e Wade Alex 22 December 2003 Peter Carter Ruck Eminent libel lawyer with a reputation for aggressive tactics The Independent London Archived from the original on 24 February 2009 Retrieved 12 December 2011 Morton James 23 December 2003 Obituary Peter Carter Ruck Scourge of Private Eye and master of the libel laws The Guardian Retrieved 12 December 2011 Diana Draws Blood Lashing out at Tiggy brings a legal warning and enrages the Queen Time 12 February 1996 Archived from the original on 23 December 2007 Retrieved 31 January 2008 No pain no gain The Northern Echo 1 August 2007 Retrieved 17 March 2009 Hooper David 23 December 2003 The Carter Ruck chill The Guardian Retrieved 1 May 2009 Hooper David 2000 Reputations Under Fire Winners and Losers in the Libel Business Little Brown pp 234 241 External links edit The Carter Ruck chill The Guardian comment December 2003 Peter Carter Ruck obituary Daily Telegraph 22 December 2003 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Peter Carter Ruck amp oldid 1168273557, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
