Dominic Ponsford
Harry
Potter author JK Rowling has won a privacy case against the Sunday
Express which effectively means British newspapers are banned from
photographing the children of celebrities in many situations.
It
underlines the European precedent set by last year’s Caroline of Monaco
European Court of Human Rights Judgment which said the press was wrong
to publish pictures of members of her family taken in public places
when they are on private business.
Rowling
and her husband Dr Neil Murray sued over the publication of a picture
of their son David and was represented by media law firm Schillings.
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Senior
partner Keith Schilling said: “This case demonstrates that the law is
moving to recognize that the children of public figures are entitled to
private lives, and, most importantly, to enjoy their childhood without
unwanted media intrusion.”
According to
Schillings the case could have “serious implications for the paparazzi”
and the law firm revealed that Rowling and Murray are separately
pursuing agency Big Pictures over the Sunday Express pictures.
Rowling
has previously succeeded in privacy complaints made to the PCC over
publication of photographs of her daughter and photographs of London
home.
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She said: “I am delighted that my
children’s right to privacy has been recognised by the Daily Express.
Neil and I will continue to protect that right, on our children’s
behalf, as vigorously as possible."
"While I accept that there is legitimate press interest in me and my
work I am delighted that my children’s right to privacy has been
recognised by the Daily Express. Neil and I will continue to protect
that right, on our children’s behalf, as vigorously as possible”.
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