A solicitor with wide experience in defamation, privacy and media law, Shear gave evidence as a "core participant", telling the Inquiry that in dealing with the press, particularly the tabloid press, he had seen numerous examples of misconduct in pursuit of stories concerning the private lives of well-known individuals. He gave his opinion that understaffed newsrooms were under pressure to find and feature sensational stories and that tabloid journalists had become more aggressive in their methods. He also gave evidence that he had himself been the subject of surveillance.
Early Resolution CIC was set up as a not-for-profit company by Sir Charles Gray, retired high-court libel judge, and Alastair Brett, former legal manager of The Times and Sunday Times, to help litigants locked in libel disputes resolve differences quickly, fairly and cost-effectively.
Founded in 2002. National private-sector ombudsman scheme, which works to resolve complaints between consumers and companies that are signed up to their scheme. Free and impartial means of resolving disputes outside of the courts. Submitted evidence to the Inquiry about how such a scheme could work for the press.
