This panel session will cover what writers should be wary of to avoid defamation and what to do if threatened with a libel suit. Specialist media content lawyer Louise Lambert will explain the law of defamation and discuss the process of a legal read, what she looks for and how she has discussions with editors and authors when issues arise and how they work out the best way forward. Mark McCrum and Simon Singh are both authors who have been the subject of libel cases- in Simon’s case, providing the catalyst for radical changes in the law. They will talk about their personal experiences of “being legalled” and dealing with defamation claims and give tips for the audience. The event will be chaired by SoA Chief Executive, Nicola Solomon, herself a solicitor well versed in libel law. This event, co-hosted with English Pen will be of interest to all writers, illustrators, translators, publishers, agents and author representatives. PROGRAMME 5.30pm: arrivals & welcome drink (tea/coffee/biscuit) 6.00pm: panel discussion – Louise Lambert, Simon Singh, Mark McCrum chaired by Nicola Solomon (SoA) 7.00pm: Q&A 7.30pm: light refreshments and drinks (wine and nibbles) 8.00pm: close TICKETS AND BOOKING SoA Members: £10 SoA guests: £15 Any questions? Email: SoA events manager Sophia Jackson on events@societyofauthors.org THE LINE UP Louise Lambert (solicitor) is a specialist media content lawyer. She works in the editorial legal department at Times Newspapers and also with Reviewed & Cleared, a boutique media law practice for the clearance of books, magazines, TV, film and digital content. Through R&C, she undertakes numerous book reads for clients including Hachette and Penguin Random House, as well as individual authors. Simon Singh Simon is a bestselling science writer. After writing a Guardian comment piece, Simon was sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association. He successfully defended his article after a landmark ruling by the Court of Appeal. Simon was also part of the Libel Reform Campaign, which resulted in the 2013 Defamation Act. Mark McCrum Mark began his career as a travel writer, with well-received books about Southern Africa, Australia, and Ireland. He then wrote about popular culture, with top ten bestsellers about Reality TV and Robbie Williams. He is now writing whodunnits: The Festival Murders and Cruising to Murder will be followed this autumn with Murder Your Darlings. He has been on the receiving end of a number of libel claims. Nicola Solomon (chair) Nicola is Chief Executive at the SoA . Her role includes promoting authors’ interests in negotiations/disputes with publishers and agents, campaigning for authors’ rights and directing funds that help authors buy time to write. Nicola has an in-depth knowledge of the publishing industry and the many associated legal areas, from copyright and defamation, to contract and charity law. She is a solicitor and Deputy District Judge.