IMPRINT
IMPRINT AND LEGAL INFORMATION FOR "NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN"
Publisher and operator
"NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" is a news publication published and operated by:
SCANDIC TRUST GROUP LLC
IQ Business Centre
Bolsunovska Street 13–15
01014 Kyiv / Ukraine
Email: [email protected]
Legal form: limited liability company incorporated under Ukrainian law, LLC.
Ukrainian registration entry: 1010351020000018952.
The address above is the company’s operational and correspondence address. SCANDIC TRUST GROUP LLC is responsible for operating the publication and conducting its publishing activities. "NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" is the publication’s title and does not constitute a separate legal entity. The registration particulars identify the Ukrainian company; they are not a United Kingdom company registration.
Registered office and registered address
SCANDIC TRUST GROUP LLC
Oksamytova Street 1-b, Office 30
Sofiivska Borshchahivka
Kyiv Region - 08147 / Ukraine
Technical operation and administration
Technical services and website administration are provided, within the scope of the relevant arrangements, by:
SCANDIC ASSETS FZCO
Dubai Silicon Oasis DDP
Building A1/A2
Dubai - 342001 / United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 54 221 5217.
SCANDIC TRUST GROUP LLC remains the publisher and operator of the publication. The provision of technical services by SCANDIC ASSETS FZCO does not, by itself, transfer editorial responsibility or determine which company is the contracting party for a particular service. Each company’s responsibilities depend on its actual activities, contractual obligations and applicable law.
Commercial cooperation
The publication cooperates in advertising and commercial promotion with:
LEGIER Beteiligungs mbH
Kurfürstendamm 14
10719 Berlin
Federal Republic of Germany
Commercial register: HRB 57837.
Registration court: Amtsgericht Charlottenburg, Berlin.
VAT identification number: DE413445833.
Telephone: +49 30 99211 3469.
Telephone: +49 30 99211 3225.
Email: [email protected]
The scope of any commercial cooperation, the supplier of a particular advertising service, the contracting parties and the payment arrangements are determined by the relevant quotation, order or agreement. The registration and VAT particulars above belong to LEGIER Beteiligungs mbH. Commercial cooperation does not confer authority to direct independent editorial coverage or determine the outcome of an editorial complaint.
Editorial responsibility and correspondence
The Editor-in-Chief of "NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" is Steven Snyder.
Steven Snyder
Editor-in-Chief
c/o SCANDIC ASSETS FZCO
Dubai Silicon Oasis DDP
Building A1/A2
Dubai - 342001 / United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 54 221 5217.
Email: [email protected]
Editorial enquiries, corrections, complaints, requests for a response and notifications concerning published material may be sent to this email address. Correspondence addressed to the publisher should identify SCANDIC TRUST GROUP LLC and use its correspondence address in Kyiv. The appointment of an Editor-in-Chief does not displace the legal responsibilities of the publisher or any other person responsible for a particular publication. Formal service of proceedings and other documents requiring a prescribed method of service remains subject to the applicable procedural rules.
Applicable law and territorial scope
These legal particulars address the publication’s activities in relation to readers and services in Nottingham and elsewhere in England and Wales. The United Kingdom comprises distinct legal jurisdictions; a rule applicable in England and Wales does not necessarily apply in the same form in Scotland or Northern Ireland. The application of a particular provision depends on the activity concerned, the relevant territorial conditions and, where appropriate, the rules governing jurisdiction and applicable law. The publisher’s establishment outside the United Kingdom does not, of itself, exclude British laws applicable to its publications, commercial activities or processing of personal data.
Legal framework
The principal legislation relevant to the activities described in this notice includes the following, in each case as amended and to the extent applicable:
- The Human Rights Act 1998 and Articles 8 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, concerning respect for private life and freedom of expression.
- The Defamation Act 2013, together with other applicable statutory provisions and the common law governing defamation, misuse of private information and breach of confidence.
- The Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, including the applicable safeguards concerning journalistic sources and material.
- The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 and the Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997.
- The Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002, including applicable provider information requirements and the conditions governing intermediary liability.
- The United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act 2018 and the relevant amendments introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
- The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, as amended, governing matters including electronic marketing and the storage of, or access to, information on users’ devices.
- The Online Safety Act 2023, where a particular service falls within its scope and the relevant provisions are in force.
- The Consumer Rights Act 2015, the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 and the applicable provisions of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
- The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 and the United Kingdom Market Abuse Regulation, where relevant to financial communications or market-related information.
Regulatory oversight and complaints bodies
The remit of each authority depends on the nature of the service and the applicable legislation. Ofcom’s responsibilities include broadcasting, qualifying on-demand programme services and regulated online services; its role does not amount to general supervision of the editorial content of every newspaper website. The Advertising Standards Authority administers the applicable advertising codes, while statutory consumer protection responsibilities may fall to the Competition and Markets Authority and Trading Standards. Referral to the Independent Press Standards Organisation or Impress depends on the publication falling within the relevant organisation’s jurisdiction; naming those organisations does not constitute a statement of membership. The United Kingdom’s data protection regulator is the Information Commission, which succeeded the Information Commissioner’s Office on 30 September 2026. GOV.UK
Responsibility for editorial content
SCANDIC TRUST GROUP LLC is responsible for its publishing activities in accordance with applicable law. Articles, photographs, videos and other materials selected, commissioned, edited or published as part of the publication’s editorial output are assessed according to the publisher’s actual involvement and the legal rules governing the material. Attribution to a contributor, news agency or other source does not, by itself, exclude liability for republication. Statutory protections available to a neutral intermediary cannot automatically be applied to the publication’s own editorial work. Reports are prepared with regard to the information reasonably available at the time, and material inaccuracies brought to the editorial team’s attention will be investigated and addressed appropriately.
Historical background and present-day publication
The "NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" continues a distinguished journalistic tradition that began exactly 165 years ago, in 1861, with the Nottingham Daily Guardian and was carried forward under the name Nottingham Guardian from 1905 onwards. Today, the British liberal-conservative daily newspaper "NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" brings this journalistic heritage into the modern era through independent reporting on politics, business, finance, society, culture and sport. Firmly rooted in Nottingham and the Midlands while maintaining an international outlook, it provides news around the clock, seven days a week, in multiple languages. The present-day digital publication "NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" adopts this historic newspaper title. The historic year of first publication does not imply uninterrupted publishing activity, legal identity or legal succession between the former publication or its publishers and the publisher of the present-day digital service.
Freedom of the press and the public interest
"NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" contributes to public debate through reporting, investigation, analysis and commentary. Freedom of expression and the press is protected by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998. That protection extends to information and opinions which may challenge, offend or provoke, subject to lawful and proportionate restrictions. Editorial freedom carries responsibilities towards the rights of others, the administration of justice and the accuracy of factual reporting. Matters attracting public curiosity are not necessarily matters whose disclosure serves a sufficient public interest. Where competing rights arise, the circumstances, the contribution to public debate and the consequences of publication must be considered.
Confidential sources and journalistic material
The confidentiality of journalistic sources is protected by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and section 10 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981. Compulsory disclosure requires the applicable legal conditions to be satisfied, including the statutory grounds on which disclosure may be necessary. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 also provides specific safeguards for qualifying journalistic material, including relevant provisions concerning excluded material, special procedure material and access under Schedule 1. In Goodwin v United Kingdom, application no. 17488/90, judgment of 27 March 1996, the European Court of Human Rights emphasised the importance of source protection and the need for an overriding public-interest justification for interference. These safeguards do not create an unrestricted exemption from lawful investigation, evidence requirements or court orders. hudoc.echr.coe.int
Defamation, factual allegations and opinion
Reporting and commentary must respect the law of defamation applicable in England and Wales. Section 1 of the Defamation Act 2013 requires publication to have caused, or to be likely to cause, serious reputational harm; for a body trading for profit, the statutory test requires serious financial loss or its likelihood. In Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd [2019] UKSC 27, judgment of 12 June 2019, the Supreme Court confirmed that serious harm must be assessed by reference to the facts concerning the impact of publication, including appropriate inferences from the circumstances. The defences of truth, honest opinion and publication on a matter of public interest under sections 2, 3 and 4 have distinct conditions. Labelling a statement as opinion, quoting another person or invoking the public interest does not automatically establish a defence. supremecourt.uk
Privacy, confidentiality and personal dignity
Editorial decisions involving private information require consideration of the circumstances, any reasonable expectation of privacy and the competing rights protected by Articles 8 and 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Public prominence does not extinguish a person’s right to privacy. In Bloomberg LP v ZXC [2022] UKSC 5, judgment of 16 February 2022, the Supreme Court confirmed the legitimate starting point that a person under criminal investigation generally has a reasonable expectation of privacy concerning that investigation before being charged. This is a starting point requiring consideration of the particular facts, rather than an absolute prohibition on reporting. Confidential information, intrusive images, medical information and details concerning family life require particular care. bailii.org
Court reporting and reporting restrictions
Court reporting must comply with applicable statutory restrictions and court orders. The strict liability provisions of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 address publications creating a substantial risk that the course of justice in active proceedings will be seriously impeded or prejudiced. Restrictions may also arise under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. Protection against identification may extend beyond publishing a name to combinations of details from which a protected person can be identified. The availability of information on another website or social media does not remove an applicable reporting restriction. Allegations, charges, findings and convictions must be distinguished accurately, with due regard to the presumption of innocence.
Corrections, responses and editorial complaints
Requests concerning accuracy, fairness, privacy or other editorial matters may be sent to [email protected]. Please identify the article, its publication date, the relevant passage and the grounds for the request, together with supporting material where available. Complaints will be assessed according to their substance, urgency and the rights involved. Where a material factual error is established, an appropriate correction, clarification, update or other remedy will be considered, with suitable prominence in the circumstances. England and Wales do not provide a general statutory right requiring every newspaper to publish any response submitted to it. This does not affect rights arising under other legislation, an applicable regulatory scheme, an agreement or a court order. An internal complaint does not suspend a statutory limitation period.
Media plurality and editorial independence
"NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" supports the expression of differing views and scrutiny of matters affecting public life. Editorial decisions are to be made independently of advertising purchases and commercial distribution arrangements. Material interests capable of affecting the credibility of a particular article should be disclosed or otherwise managed appropriately. Sponsored material must be distinguishable from independent journalism. The existence of a commercial relationship with a company, an agency or a technology supplier does not constitute endorsement of that organisation’s products, conduct or opinions.
Notifications concerning unlawful content or infringements
Notifications may be sent to [email protected]. To assist assessment, please provide the following information:
- Your name and sufficient contact details for a response, together with your capacity to act where you represent another person.
- The precise webpage address and identification of the words, image, recording or other material concerned.
- The nature of the alleged infringement, the relevant facts and supporting information reasonably available to you.
- The action requested and any circumstances requiring urgent consideration.
An ordinary correction request does not normally require a complete copy of an identity document. Particular statutory notices may require additional information or compliance with a prescribed procedure. A notification will be considered on its merits; receipt does not automatically establish that the material is unlawful. Where removal, restriction, correction or preservation of evidence is legally required, appropriate action will be taken. Contacting the publisher does not restrict access to legal representation, a competent authority or the courts.
News, information, video and image services
Sources of news, information and visual material used within the scope of the relevant contractual and licensing arrangements include AFP (Agence France-Presse), APA (Austria Press Agency), Reuters, PTI (Press Trust of India), Euronews, ANSA (Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata), Adnkronos, SID, Xinhua, AP (Associated Press), Corbis, VCG (Visual China Group), ANI (Asian News International), Notified, Polska Agencja Prasowa and Yonhap News Agency. The provenance of a particular item, the rights granted for its use and any restrictions on further distribution depend on the relevant licence and accompanying credit. Naming a source does not establish an exclusive partnership or transfer ownership of its materials to the publication. Publication on this website does not itself authorise readers to reproduce agency material commercially.
News, information, video and image services:
"NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" is a partner of the news services: AFP (Agence France Press), APA (Austria Press Agency), REUTERS (Thomson Reuters Corp.), PTI (Press Trust of India), EuroNews, ANSA (Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata) Adnkronos, SID, Xinhua, AP (Associated Press), CORBIS (Unity Glory), VCG (Visual China Group), ANI (Asian News International), NOTIFIED, Polska Agencja Prasowa, Yonhap News Agency.
ThomsonReuters OnePass / PressPass by businesswire a BERKSHIRE-HATHAWAY COMPANY / AP-CONTENT:
Through our exclusive partners, "NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" (BD) supplies international stock exchanges with company news, such as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (stock exchange symbol XFRA, Wertpapierbörse (FWB) electronic stock exchange trading centre Xetra (Federal Republic of Germany), the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE, United States of America), Tokyo Stock Exchange (Kabushiki kaisha Tōkyō Shōken Torihikijo / Tokyo Stock Exchange, Incorporated, Japan), London Stock Exchange (LSE, FTSE 100 Index, United Kingdom), Kyodo News, SIX Swiss Exchange (Swiss Market Index - SMI, Switzerland), Vienna Stock Exchange, ATX - Austrian Traded Index, Republic of Austria), (Shanghai Stock Exchange, SSE Shanghai Composite Index, China Securities Index Company, Hong Kong).
Reuters / Business Wire / AP: distribution of corporate news
Corporate announcements may be distributed through relevant contractual partners and available news distribution services. The provider, channels, geographical coverage, licensing rights and agreed deliverables are determined by the individual order or agreement. Distribution services may concern information relating to markets including the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and Xetra, the New York Stock Exchange, the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange, SIX Swiss Exchange, the Vienna Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Kyodo News is a news organisation and is treated as a potential news distribution channel, rather than as a stock exchange. References to these organisations do not guarantee publication on their systems, access to a particular feed or approval of an announcement by an exchange, regulator or news agency.
International corporate information and financial communications
International distribution depends on the services agreed, the rights available and the requirements of the receiving channels. Distributing a corporate announcement does not replace an issuer’s obligations concerning inside information, regulatory announcements, exchange rules or other market disclosures, including obligations under the United Kingdom Market Abuse Regulation where applicable. A communication constituting a financial promotion must satisfy section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 through an applicable exemption, communication by an authorised person or lawful approval by an authorised person entitled to give that approval. The journalism exemption in article 20 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 is conditional. Calling material a press release, news article or general information does not, by itself, place it outside financial promotion restrictions.
Technical infrastructure, security and backups
Technical services are provided within the scope of the arrangements involving SCANDIC ASSETS FZCO. The infrastructure described for the publication includes server facilities in Boston, United States of America, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Swiss hosting services associated with aspectra, backup services involving Iron Mountain and cybersecurity solutions supplied by Darktrace. Security arrangements must be appropriate to the risks and may include protection of communications and stored information, access controls, monitoring, backups and recovery procedures. The scope of each supplier’s services and any contractual availability commitments are determined by the relevant agreement. No security system can guarantee that every incident will be prevented or that recovery will be instantaneous. Technical safeguards and backups do not replace the requirements governing personal data processing and international transfers.
Editorial principles
"NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" is committed to accuracy, editorial independence, respect for human dignity and a clear distinction between reporting, comment and advertising. Sources are assessed in context, and factual claims require verification appropriate to their significance and the circumstances of publication. Headlines, captions, photographs and other presentation elements should not materially misrepresent the accompanying report. Unsolicited submission of an article, image or other material does not, by itself, create an obligation to publish it, pay a fee or return it. Permission to use submitted material depends on the rights granted and applicable law. Reports reflect the circumstances at publication and any clearly identified subsequent updates.
Publication profile
"NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" is a liberal-conservative digital daily newspaper with a particular interest in Nottingham and the Midlands and an international outlook. Its editorial coverage includes politics, business, finance, society, culture, sport, civil rights, civic participation and democracy. Editorial staff and independent contributors participate in its work, including contributors based outside the United Kingdom and the European Union. The publication provides reporting on British, European and international affairs around the clock, seven days a week. Its editorial outlook does not relieve it of its responsibilities concerning factual accuracy, lawful publication and the rights of those affected by its reporting.
Journalistic ethics
The publication’s ethical principles include truthfulness, proportionality, respect for privacy, protection of confidential sources, sensitivity towards children and vulnerable people, and avoidance of unjustified discrimination. Allegations must be distinguished from established facts, and significant conflicts of interest must be addressed. The same principles apply to written reports, photographs, audio, video, translations and material prepared with technological assistance. Editorial responsibility remains with the persons and organisations responsible for publication. These principles supplement applicable legal obligations and do not restrict the remedies available to affected persons.
Advertising and sponsored material
Advertising, advertorials, sponsored articles and other commercial communications must be readily recognisable as such. Their presentation must not misleadingly suggest independent editorial endorsement. Applicable requirements include the unfair commercial practices provisions in Part 4, Chapter 1 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 and the relevant provisions of the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing. Commercial relationships and material qualifications must be disclosed where necessary to avoid misleading the audience. Payment for editorial-style promotion must not be concealed by presenting it as independent reporting. The general identification of an advertising partner in this notice does not replace appropriate identification of individual paid placements.
Personal data and responsibility for processing
SCANDIC TRUST GROUP LLC acts as controller for processing whose purposes and means it determines in operating the publication. The United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018, as amended by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, apply where their respective conditions are met. These may include processing by an overseas controller connected with offering services to people in the United Kingdom or monitoring their behaviour there. Processing must have an appropriate legal basis and comply with the applicable requirements concerning fairness, transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, retention and security. The European Union General Data Protection Regulation applies separately where its own territorial conditions are satisfied; it is not treated as applying automatically to every activity merely because the publication is accessible online.
Journalistic processing and statutory exemptions
Journalistic processing is subject to the specific framework in Schedule 2, Part 5, paragraph 26 of the Data Protection Act 2018. The exemption depends on the statutory conditions, including processing with a view to publication of journalistic material, a reasonable belief that publication would be in the public interest and a reasonable belief that compliance with the particular provision would be incompatible with the journalistic purpose. It applies only to the provisions and extent permitted by law. Relevant editorial codes must be taken into account where the legislation requires this. The exemption is not a general release from data protection obligations and does not automatically cover subscriptions, commercial contact lists, advertising profiles or ordinary website administration.
Processors and international transfers
A supplier processing personal data on the controller’s behalf must be engaged under arrangements satisfying Article 28 of the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation where applicable. Where parties jointly determine purposes and means, their responsibilities must be addressed under the rules governing joint controllers. Contractual labels do not override the parties’ actual roles. Transfers of personal data outside the United Kingdom require a lawful mechanism where the international transfer rules apply, such as applicable adequacy regulations or appropriate safeguards supported by the required assessment. A processing agreement, an overseas server location or encryption alone does not establish compliance with those transfer requirements. Access by personnel or suppliers abroad must also be assessed where it constitutes a restricted transfer.
Privacy information, individual rights and complaints
The publication’s Privacy Policy provides the information relevant to its processing activities, including purposes, legal bases, recipients, retention, international transfers and individual rights. Requests and complaints may be sent to [email protected]. Applicable rights may include access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, objection and withdrawal of consent, subject to the conditions and exemptions governing the particular processing. Where the statutory organisational complaints requirements apply, a data protection complaint must be acknowledged within 30 days and addressed without undue delay. This acknowledgement period is distinct from the time limits governing individual rights requests. Individuals retain the right to complain to the Information Commission and to seek an available judicial remedy.
Cookies, device access and electronic communications
Cookies and comparable technologies are governed by regulation 6 and Schedule A1 of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, as amended. Consent is required unless the particular activity satisfies an applicable statutory exception. Exceptions for necessary functions and certain limited additional purposes depend on their precise conditions, including information and a simple means of objecting where required. An exception must not be treated as a general permission for advertising tracking or unrelated profiling. Where consent is required, it must be obtained before the relevant storage or access and must be capable of withdrawal. Electronic direct marketing must also comply with the applicable consent, identification and opt-out requirements. The processing of personal data through these technologies remains subject to data protection law.
Copyright and related rights
Original articles, photographs, illustrations, recordings, videos, design elements and other qualifying material are protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. Qualifying databases may also benefit from protection under the Copyright and Rights in Databases Regulations 1997. Rights belong to the relevant authors, publisher, licensors or other rights holders according to the material and the applicable agreements. Copyright does not confer ownership of bare facts or ideas. Reproduction, adaptation, republication or commercial reuse of protected material requires permission unless a statutory exception or other lawful authorisation applies. Fair dealing for quotation, criticism, review, reporting current events and other permitted purposes is subject to the conditions of the relevant exception, including sufficient acknowledgement where required. The current-events exception in section 30(2) does not extend to photographs. A credit or hyperlink alone does not make an otherwise infringing use lawful.
Automated analysis, text and data mining
Automated extraction, copying and reuse of protected content, including use in developing artificial intelligence systems, must comply with applicable copyright, database rights and valid contractual restrictions. Section 29A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 permits qualifying copying for computational analysis solely for non-commercial research where the person has lawful access and the other statutory conditions are met. Contractual terms cannot remove that statutory protection to the extent specified in section 29A(5). Uses outside an applicable exception require the relevant permission. This notice does not create exclusive rights over unprotected facts or remove statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.
Liability and availability
The publisher’s liability is governed by applicable law and any valid contractual obligations. General editorial information does not constitute individual legal, financial, medical or other professional advice unless such a service is expressly agreed. Readers should consider the subject, publication date and subsequent developments when using information. Website content and functionality may be updated, corrected or withdrawn subject to applicable law and existing commitments. Nothing in this notice excludes liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, death or personal injury caused by negligence, or any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited. Statutory consumer rights remain unaffected, including applicable rights concerning services, digital content and unfair terms under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Any limitation subject to the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 must satisfy its requirements.
External links
Links to third-party websites are provided in the context in which they appear. The operators of those websites are responsible for their own activities and content, while the publication’s responsibility for its own conduct remains subject to applicable law. A link does not, by itself, constitute a guarantee of another organisation’s services or approval of all material on its website. Complaints concerning a specific link may be sent to [email protected]. Appropriate action will be considered where a link contributes to an infringement or where a legal obligation requires its restriction or removal. No general exemption from liability is claimed merely because material is reached through an external link.
Discussion forums and user contributions
"NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" does not operate a standalone discussion forum. If particular functions allow comments or other user contributions, responsibility depends on the nature of the function, the content and the publisher’s actual involvement. Users remain responsible for their own unlawful conduct. Where applicable, regulation 19 of the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002 provides conditional protection for hosting third-party information; it is not an unrestricted exemption for editorial publication. Reliance on the website operator defence under section 5 of the Defamation Act 2013 requires the relevant statutory conditions and, where applicable, compliance with the Defamation (Operators of Websites) Regulations 2013. Notifications must therefore be assessed under the procedure relevant to the particular complaint.
Online safety
The application of the Online Safety Act 2023 depends on the functions provided, the statutory connection with the United Kingdom and the relevant exclusions or exemptions. Limited functions allowing comments or reviews on the provider’s own content may fall within the exemption in Schedule 1, paragraph 4, where all its conditions are satisfied. Adding other user-to-user functionality may change that assessment. Any reliance on provisions concerning recognised news publishers requires the separate conditions in section 56 to be met. Where a service is regulated, the applicable duties concerning illegal content, children’s safety, risk assessment, reporting and complaints must be addressed according to the provisions in force. The newspaper’s title or editorial character does not, by itself, settle the legal classification of every service it provides.
Protection of children and young people
Reporting concerning children and young people requires particular regard to their dignity, privacy, welfare and vulnerability. Identifying details must be assessed against applicable reporting restrictions, including protections for children involved in proceedings and victims of sexual offences. Where an online service is likely to be accessed by children, the relevant data protection requirements and the statutory Age Appropriate Design Code must be considered within their scope. Under section 9 of the Data Protection Act 2018, the age threshold for a child’s own consent under Article 8 of the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation is 13; this concerns the specified consent-based processing and is not a general minimum age for reading news. Suspected online child sexual abuse images or videos may be reported to the Internet Watch Foundation. Immediate danger should be reported to the emergency services.
Consumer complaints and alternative dispute resolution
Complaints concerning a service supplied by the publisher may be sent to [email protected], identifying the relevant order or agreement and the remedy sought. Where the consumer dispute provisions in Part 4, Chapter 4 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 apply, the corresponding obligations will be observed. In particular, section 308 requires a trader communicating the outcome of a consumer complaint to identify qualifying alternative dispute resolution or other arrangements available to that consumer in which the trader is required to participate by legislation or contract. This notice does not assert membership of an unidentified arbitration or ombudsman scheme. Applicable rights to regulatory assistance, dispute resolution and court proceedings remain unaffected.
Effect of this notice and jurisdiction
This notice identifies the publisher, provides contact particulars and explains the principal legal considerations relevant to the publication. It does not, by publication alone, amend an existing agreement, impose an arbitration requirement or create an exclusive jurisdiction clause. Any contractual choice of law or jurisdiction must be validly agreed and remains subject to mandatory protections, including those available to consumers. The appropriate court and applicable law are determined under the relevant rules and circumstances. If a provision is invalid or unenforceable, its consequences for the remainder of the notice are determined by applicable law; statutory rights are not replaced by a provision purporting to preserve every other term automatically.
Contact:
NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN
Email: [email protected]
© 2026 "NOTTINGHAM GUARDIAN" - All rights reserved, subject to statutory exceptions.
Last updated: 31 October 2026.