Phone hacking: Charles Russell Speechlys achieves settlement for celebrity client from News Group Newspapers

Charles Russell Speechlys can today confirm the settlement of a privacy claim for unlawful voicemail interception on behalf of Michael Turner (professionally known as Michael Le Vell). Duncan Lamont (Consultant), Claire Greaney (Senior Associate), Hannah Kent (Associate) and Gabrielle Shovlin (Associate) assisted Mr Turner in achieving this successful settlement.

The claim was brought against News Group Newspapers (NGN) publisher of News of the World and The Sun. A settlement has now been agreed and includes an undertaking by NGN not to intercept the Claimant’s voicemail messages, to pay compensation to the Claimant, and join in a statement in open Court to apologise to the Claimant for the misuse of his private information.

The public apology was made today in the Commercial Court in London. Gabrielle Shovlin was in Court today to read the statement on behalf of Mr Turner “for the distress caused to him by the invasion of his privacy by individuals working for or on behalf of the News of the World”.

Duncan Lamont, says:

“We are pleased that we could assist our client in resolving his dispute with NGN and that the publisher has made a public apology to our client”