| Peter Carter-Ruck | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 February 1914 Steyning, West Sussex, England |
| Died | 19 December 2003 (aged 89) Uttlesford, Essex |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Known for | Libel lawyer for famous clients. |
| Spouse | Ann Maxwell (m. 1940–2003) |
Peter Frederick Carter-Ruck (26 February 1914, Steyning, West Sussex – 19 December 2003, Uttlesford, Essex) was an English lawyer, specialising in libel cases. The firm he founded, Carter-Ruck, is still practising.
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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 trained as a solicitor.
His daughter Julie Scott-Bayfield is also a libel lawyer.[1] His son Brian died in a sailing accident in 1973. His wife Ann Maxwell died in March 2003, after 62 years of marriage during which time they appeared to be inseparable. Carter-Ruck himself died nine months later.
Soon after qualifying as a solicitor, Carter-Ruck served in the Royal Artillery during World War II, joining as a gunner and obtaining his commission in 1940. The same year, he married Ann, while on leave. By the time he left the armed forces in 1944, he was a Captain.
Carter-Ruck's first major case was defending the Bolton Evening News successfully against a libel action brought by the Labour MP Bessie Braddock, who, they had claimed, had danced a jig in Parliament.[2] He worked for many years at Oswald Hickson Collier & Co and set up his own firm in 1981 when it was suggested that he should retire.
He was known for several high-profile cases against British media outlets such as Private Eye, the BBC and Channel 4. His clients included Princess Elizabeth of Toro, Jani Allan, Randolph Churchill and Sir James Goldsmith, plus many politicians including Neil Hamilton, Gerald Howarth, Cecil Parkinson, Norman Lamont, Robert Maxwell and Harold Wilson. He also represented Laurence Olivier, Spike Milligan, Cary Grant and Ranulph Fiennes.
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, he continued to act on many high-profile cases during the 1990s. In 1989 he criticised the £600,000 pay-out to Sonia Sutcliffe, who sued Private Eye for libel, as excessive. The amount was later reduced to £60,000 on appeal.
In December 1995, Carter Ruck acted for the royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke, in the matter of an allegation against her by Diana, Princess of Wales, that she had aborted Charles's child.[3]
At one time, he was the oldest practising solicitor in the country. He finally retired in 1998.
In 1980, the Daily Express editor Derek Jameson had been advised by Carter-Ruck that if he sued the BBC over their portrayal of him in a Week Ending sketch, he would win at least £25,000 in damages. The barrister in the case, David Eady QC, however advised Carter-Ruck to accept the BBC's offer to settle for £10 (sic) plus costs. Carter Ruck did not disclose this advice to his client. The jury found the broadcast defamatory, but also fair comment and Jameson had to pay costs,[4] receiving a bill for £41,342.50 from Carter-Ruck. Jameson learned by chance of the QC's advice and Carter-Ruck's former partner David Hooper claimed that "Carter-Ruck told him a string of lies".[5] Carter-Ruck later claimed that he did not want to undermine Jameson's morale in court.[6]