E146 The Fifth Court - Your Reputation on Trial — And Why the Rules Are Changing - John Kerr

Your Reputation on Trial — And Why the Rules Are Changing

This is not just another legal interview. This is a story about growing up under armed protection, about a father who became the last Law Lord in the UK, and about a legal system that is about to change in a very big way.

John Kerr — barrister, defamation specialist, and colleague — joins us to talk about:

• What it was like living through the Troubles with security at the front gate
• Why his father became the “Great Dissenter” in the UK Supreme Court
• The truth about defamation cases — and why juries may be scrapped
• And what happens when your reputation becomes your livelihood

Plus:

Three fascinating Decisis cases including dead-person defamation, missing expert witnesses, and multi-million euro stud fees. Decisis is brought to you thanks to Charltons Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners.

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TIMELINE

00:00 Intro + Decisis sponsor mention

02:00 Defamation after death — can you sue?

05:15 Lost expert witness — trial goes ahead anyway

08:30 Coolmore stud fees — big money, no excuses

12:00 John Kerr — defamation specialist

14:00 Growing up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles

17:00 Armed guards, relocation, and real risk

20:00 The career of Lord Kerr — last Law Lord

25:00 The “Great Dissenter” — why minority judgments matter

30:00 From solicitor to barrister — taking the leap

34:00 Defamation reform — are juries finished?

40:00 Big awards, big problems — reality vs headlines

47:00 International defamation and celebrity cases

50:00 Book & film recommendations

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