Unless you know what the law says you may get into hot water, as has been discussed in the previous pages. But you also need to know what the law says for another reason – to protect your rights as a citizen, and as a reporter.

Sadly, you cannot assume that those you deal with will always play by the rules, and unless you know what the law says they may well attempt to pull the wool over your eyes. Some people are inclined to extend their authority if they can get away with it. Given the chance, they may attempt to bluff or bluster you in an effort to hinder or prevent your legitimate work. Or they may make a genuine mistake, though this is much less likely in my experience.

The following, then, may assist you. If necessary, you may have to point out some, or all, of the following to anyone who might fit the description above. Remember, statute law overwhelms case law, so you will have to know whether there are particular pieces of legislation that may override the following. It is imperative that you know the law.

“Publicity is the soul of justice”

The judgment in the case of Scott v. Scott (1913) AC 417 is one you should carve into your memory. The case itself was a little tawdry, but the judgment is a gem for the journalist and for the community at large, for it wrote into law the notion that unless there are compelling reasons to the contrary (including statute law), justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.