Tony Sidaway wrote:
Ray Saintonge said:
If both parties fail to appear the case would be dismissed for lack of prosecution.
Yes, he'd need to retain and brief counsel to prepare and present a pro forma complaint alongside evidence to satisfy the court. He'd have to ensure that the defendant was served. He wouldn't have to show up in court.
Presumably in those circumstances copies of the paper "evidence" would also be delivered to the defendant, who would have the right to cross-examine, or raise objections that some of the evidence is inadmissible. Many Wikipedians do not edit under their own names. What standards of evidence do the British courts follow when the defence is simply, "It wasn't I who said that." The burden of proof lies with the plaintiff, and someone needs to accept responsibility for the costs to a defendant who has been misidentified.
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