Peter Carter-Ruck

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Peter Frederick Carter-Ruck (February 26, 1914-December 19, 2003) was an English lawyer, specialising in libel cases.

Carter-Ruck was educated at St Edward's School, Oxford. He spent three months in Germany during the 1930s, observing the rising popularity of Hitler, an experience that greatly affected him. Upon his return, he qualified as a solicitor. He served as an artilleryman during World War II, joining as a gunner and obtaining his commission in 1940, the year he married Ann whilst on leave. By the time he left in 1944, he had become a gunnery captain.

Carter-Ruck's first major case was defending the Bolton Evening Post successfully against a libel writ brought by the Labour MP, Bessie Braddock, who they had claimed had danced a jig in Parliament. He worked for many years at Oswald Hickson Collier & Co and set up his own firm in 1981. He was known for several high-profile cases against British media outlets such as Private Eye, and Channel 4. His clients included Princess Elizabeth of Toro, Robert Maxwell, Randolph Churchill and Sir James Goldsmith , plus many Conservative politicians including Neil and Christine Hamilton and Cecil Parkinson, and other right-wing figures. He did legal aid work, and said it was wrong for successful firms to decline it. He was frequently referred to by Private Eye, a regular target of his libel cases, as "Peter Carter-Fuck". Despite being ousted from the firm bearing his name, during the 1990s he continued to act on many high-profile cases. At one time, he was the oldest practising solicitor in the country.

[edit] Derek Jameson

In 1980, Daily Express editor Derek Jameson had been advised by Carter-Ruck that if he sued the BBC over their portrayal of him in a Weekending sketch, he would win at least £25,000 in damages. The barrister in the case however advised Carter-Ruck to accept the BBC's offer of £10 plus costs. Carter Ruck did not disclose this advice to his client and Jameson duly lost the case and received a bill for £41,342.50 from Carter Ruck. When he learned by chance of the QC's pessimistic advice, in the words of his former partner David Hooper, "Carter-Ruck told him a string of lies". He later claimed that he did not want to undermine Jameson's morale in court.

Carter-Ruck did not speak to his daughter, Julie Scott-Bayfield, for many years, his son having died in a sailing accident in 1973. His wife Ann died in March 2002, after 62 years of marriage during which they appeared inseparable. He died himself nine months later.

Carter-Ruck's former firm remains active in high-profile defamation cases.