Chris Thompson   Chris Thompson on the internet

A while back, a man was called the ‘world’s worst’ tennis player by the Telegraph and other newspapers. He didn’t take it lying down, and recieved a lot of money in damages from a number of news outlets.

But against the Telegraph, he lost his defamation lawsuit. There is an interesting story here about the tennis player, who was insulted by the description of his record 54-straight losses on the international circuit.

The legal action was threatened against a number of news outlets on the basis that descriptions and claims were defamatory, and could damage his career. The number that did back down is supposedly around 30 — he posted pictures of their damages payments on his website — the Telegraph refused to do so.

But the Telegraph fought the case on the basis that the article, “World’s worst tennis pro wins at last”, was not arguably defamatory when read together with another item in the same edition, and that Mr Dee had no real prospect of rebutting the defences of justification and fair comment.

Thinking about it, it reminded me of this story, where a teacher sued her school board after she was prohibited from giving an F grade to her students.

But, really, both pieces are interesting. It just shows what kind of effect conditional fee arrangements — or no win, no fee solicitors, has had on society. Law actions are ridiculously expensive … and yet, increasingly, people are offered these deals.

I wonder if Mr Dee took up a no win, no fee deal. And I wonder if the newspapers and news outlets who gave him money to prevent trials are regretting doing so.