• Lisa Moorish

    A Magrath LLP team comprising litigator Kevin Thorpe and media and entertainment lawyer Alexis Grower have secured what is believed to be the first ever animated broadcast apology in a Defamation Action.

    The apology was broadcast on Channel 4 on Saturday evening (30th April) shortly after midnight as part of Channel 4's cult animation series "Empire Sq" that currently appears throughout the 4Music zone.

    The animated apology appeared as a room seen from behind a television set. Three of the regular Empire Sq characters could be seen watching the television. An announcer's voice spoke the following words:

    In Channel 4's broadcast of the NME awards earlier this year, regrettable and untrue allegations were made about Lisa Moorish.

    Lisa, like any other woman in the music industry is entitled to be treated with the same respect as anyone else and to make an untrue slur in respect of her personal life is out of order and we sincerely apologise - sorry Lisa.

    The characters in the room then engaged in the following dialogue:

    Rabbit
    I bet Channel 4 hate making those apologies

    Hooks
    Yeah, they'll probably try to soften the blow by getting someone to make a comment afterwards

    Richie
    Hang on

    Rabbit
    I don't believe it

    Hooks
    Why us?

    Richie
    Jimmy Carr must be busy"

    The apology comes as a result of action taken by the singer Lisa Moorish against Channel 4 and others over highly derogatory and defamatory remarks made about her at the NME Music Awards on 17th February this year. The defamatory remarks were recorded and subsequently broadcast on two occasions.

    This new and innovative form of apology has involved lawyers from Magrath LLP and Channel 4 working together with Channel 4's production team on the venture which has been supported fully by Lisa Moorish. In addition to the apology, Channel 4 has agreed to pay damages to Lisa Moorish and costs.

    Although Lisa Moorish has now resolved her dispute with Channel 4, her action against the NME and one other continues.

    Lisa Moorish performs regularly with her band Kill City. Magrath LLP are proud to be the solicitors for Lisa Moorish and delighted to have achieved this excellent result for her.

    For further information please contact Kevin Thorpe on 020 7317 6715 at the Dispute Resolution Department or Alexis Grower on 020 7317 6730 at the Media Department 52/54 Maddox Street, London W1S 1PA, or visit our website www.magrath.co.uk