US law professor let off libel hook

A senior lecturer in Law has failed in her attempt to have journal editor, the US legal and political scholar Joseph Weiler, prosecuted for publishing a negative review of one of her books. This is according to Times Higher Education.

Joseph Weiler packed the Ceremonial Hall at the University of Copenhagen last year for his lecture on the European Union.

Karine Calvo-Goller, a senior lecturer at the Academic Center of Law and Business in Israel, had objected to a review on a website associated with the European Journal of International Law. It describes sections of Dr. Calvo-Goller’s book as »unproductive« with an »insufficient« grasp of the inquisitorial system of justice.

Criticises ‘libel tourism’

Dr. Calvo-Goller complained to the journal’s editor-in-chief, Joseph Weiler, saying that the review contained factual errors and could harm her professional reputation and prospects.

But Joseph Weiler refused to remove the review from the website, arguing that to have done so »would have seriously compromised academic freedom and the intellectual integrity of (the journal) and book reviewing generally«.

The latest court ruling criticises Dr. Calvo-Goller for libel tourism, or taking legal action in the jurisdiction where she has the greatest chance of success.

miy@adm.ku.dk

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