Judges to advise on libel damages

JUDGES will be able to advise juries on the size of damages for libel by the end of next month, it was confirmed last night.

After three record-breaking awards in the last three years, including the highest ever to communications consultant Monica Leech in the past week, new defamation legislation is expected to be signed into law before the end of July.

The reform will allow a High Court judge to give juries guidance on how much money libel victims are paid. The Supreme Court will also have power to order a revised pay-out.