Dean Dunham's Celebrity Legal Blog

Rising Energy Prices

18/10/2011

I have been shocked by the constant increase in energy prices recently and really concerned about what this will mean to many people who simply will not be able to afford such increases. Amongst the worst affected are obviously the unemployed and more concerning, the older generation.

I feel really strongly about this and feel that something should be done. I have therefore commissioned by legal team at Debello Law to thoroughly research this in which we will be considering the legalities behind these increases and more importantly considering what rights consumers have in this situation. We would love to hear from you if you share our concerns, if you do please comment on this blog to show your support! Dean

EU Ruling on Premiership football broadcasting

04/10/2011

The EU courts have ruled that current Premier League broadcasting rights are against the law, in a move that may allow football fans to watch matches using foreign decoders.

The landmark ruling will allow pubs to show football matches via the cheaper satellite devices - but only if rights holders allow.

Dean's comment: On the one hand i feel that this is the European law going way to far - if BSKYB have paid a huge amount of money for the exclusive rights to show football matches which should anyone be able to bypass them? However, on the hand i am strong advocate of everyday peoples rights and protecting individuals interests and this ruling gives those who cannot afford a sky subscription to watch football via cheaper routes - not sure that a pub (which is obviously a business) falls into this category??

Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham and Gordon Ramsay

01/11/2010

Gordon Ramsay is cooking up a storm but this time it is not in kitchen! In a bold move Ramsey has sacked the CEO of Ramsay holdings, and his father in law!, Chris Hutcheson. There are no details yet on what has led to the sacking and Hutcheson claims not to know the reason which sounds bizarre.

Dean's comment: Gordon may be able to make up all the rules in the kitchen but this is the real World and employment laws are very stringent and pro-employee. If Hutcheson really does not know he has been sacked it is highly likely that proper procedure has not been followed which will result in a very costly claim for Gordon!!!

Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham asks; Did the probation service get it wrong with Boy George?

23/12/2009

Boy George is currently under 'licence' after he was released early from his 15 month prison sentence for falsely imprisoning a rent boy. Following his release he was offered a lucrative deal to join the Celebrity Big Brother House in January. His supervising probation officer initially agreed to George entering the House but the Chief Executive of the Probation Service then overturned this and refused permission.

After a High Court battle on the subject George has lost his case to overturn the Probation Service's decision and will therefore not be appearing on the show.

Dean's Comment: Did the court and probation service get it wrong? In the words of the Churchill Dog "OOOHHH YESSS" of course they did. It is a ridiculous decision where both the probation service and courts were too busy thinking about media reaction as opposed to thinking about what the correct decision was. It is clear that when someone is released on licence that the objective is to 'monitor behaviour', 'protect the public' and 'rehabilitate'. Wouldn't this have been the perfect way of achieving all three of these objectives? Instead they now have someone on their hands who will dwell on his loss of opportunity and may even turn back to drugs... For the record, if I had advised Boy George, I would have suggested that he donate half the money to charity so that he could have played the public interest card!

Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham asks was Robbie Williams Flying high or on Cloud 9??

16/10/2009

Source: Bigpicturesphoto.com

Was he possessed, did he drink 50 cups of coffee or was he on something??? That's what Robbie Williams' record label Sony have been asking themselves since his live performance on X Factor Saturday night. If rumours are true, they have thrown the book at Robbie and have threatened to sue him for damages if his latest album proves to be a flop.

Dean's comment: Hold on Sony, we accept that his eyes did look like Kaa, the hypnotic snake out of The Jungle Book, but this is far short of proving that he actually was "under the influence" Saturday night. It is common place for recording contracts to state that the record label can sue if the artist does something purposely which could damage his reputation (like take drugs). However, if the label is to sue for this they would need 'hard' evidence and Robbie is going to say that he was simply high on adrenalin. Robbie, ditch the espresso's now!!

Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham and Marco Pierre White

10/11/2009

Source: ITV

Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has won an a appeal that will allow him to go ahead and pursue a case against his estranged wife's divorce lawyers (Withers). He claims that his wife removed 42 documents under instruction of Withers, for use in the proceedings relating to their financial dispute. Mrs White alleged that she took the documents because Mr White said he would leave the country, that she would never find him, that he would "pull the plug" on everything and that he owned nothing, having sold it all for £1.

Last year, Mr Justice Eady struck out the case against Withers and partner Marcus Dearle. However, Lord Justice Ward, sitting in the Court of Appeal said that Mr White's sworn assertion that his wife told him that she had been told to take his documents could not be summarily dismissed and must proceed to trial.

Dean's Comment: I act for a very famous TV pyschic and he tells me that he can see the producers of Hells Kitchen rubbing their hands together as they plan to get Marcus Dearle (the lawyer at Withers) on to Hells Kitchen next year!!! On a serious note, if these documents have been withheld then it is perfectly correct for the matter to go to trial and this will be a very interesting case to follow!!

CELEBRITY LAWYER DEAN DUNHAM EXAMINES: ROUND 4 TO KATIE PRICE OR IS SHE LINING UP A LAWSUIT AGAINST HERSELF??

12/11/2009

Source: ITV.com

Katie Price is going back into the jungle for the forthcoming series of "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here"!. Katie has decided to return to the jungle because she wants the public to see the real her, following her acrimonious and very public break-up from ex-husband Peter Andre. The divorce has also become a high-profile PR war in the press and it is a war that I have been following with great legal interest! Katie is reported to believe that going back into the jungle will help her regain the PR initiative over Peter.

Dean's Comment: On the PR front there is no doubt about it, its round 4 to Katie. However don't fret Peter, if Katie gets a case of verbal diarrhoea whilst in the jungle and says too much you may end up with a defamation or slander claim and it will then be round 5 Peter.

DEAN DUNHAM ASKS: WILL STRICTLY'S RICKY WHITTLE ACTUALLY BE CONVICTED??

27/11/2009

Source: Mirror.co.uk

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ricky Whittle has been arrested on suspicion of assault after a row outside a city centre nightclub in Liverpool. It is understood Ricky's car allegedly struck a photographer as he drove away from Liverpool's Parr Street Studios, where he had attended a party with colleagues from the Channel Four soap Hollyoaks.

Dean's Comment: Here we go again, another celebrity being accused of assault on a photographer. I am sure that this will not come of anything and you can be totally certain that if it had been someone who was not famous that this would never have even been reported to the police. In any event I can hear Ricky's defence now, "He jumped in front on my car your honor to try and get a picture, what could I do???"

Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham examines why Alex Reid is outraged

24/08/2009

Pictures of Alex Reid engaged in a violent sex scene in his new film have been leaked to the press. The result: Jordan is being pressured into dumping him! Alex's spokesman said he's considering legal action after the pictures from the movie were leaked. He added: Killer Bitch is not a porn movie, it is a gangster movie in which Alex is the main character. The rape scene has been taken completely out of context and Alex is speaking to lawyers.

Dean's comment: Dream on Alex. If you make a movie, there's a good chance that the general public are going to watch it. Did you think that it was just for your personal viewing?? No court in the land is going to rule in your favour.

Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham and Rocker Ronnie Wood

04/12/2009

Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood was arrested and detained in custody overnight after a "domestic incident" with his young Russian girlfriend. Reports have said that Woods attacked his Russian girlfirend who is 42 years his junior. Police have said that Woods has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Dean's Comment: I could ask what he is doing with a girlfriend 42 years younger than him, but I wont! You could also question if he is feeling insecure about having a Russian beauty young enough to be his daughter (or even grand daughter) who may just decide that she needs a younger model?? This is not my area of expertise so I am not commenting. Back to the legals, this is very simple, unless she presses charges againts him this case is going nowhere and guess what, I hear that she has packed her case and gone back to Russia (and I'm guessing that the case has a few million pounds in it)!! Watch this space, not.

Cheryl Cole's 'quickie' divorce by Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham

30/05/2010

Source: Metro.co.uk

Cheryl Cole has finally started divorce proceedings from her husband, Ashley Cole. It is reported that Cheryl is hoping for a 'quick' divorce before the start of the World Cup. Cheryl's PR company has also said that she will not be claiming any money from Ashley and that she will not be claiming any ownership of their £6m home.

Dean's comment: Ok, so Ashley goes with everything with a pulse behind Cheryl's back, humiliates her time and time again and then she walks away leaving his fortune intact! Wow, not many women would do that and not many lawyers would let her. No criticism from me though, good on her there was no better way of sticking two fingers up at him. Sometimes actions speak louder than the law. One small thing though, I cannot see how they will be divorced before the World Cup.

Jude Law and Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham

09/07/2010

Jude Law has issued a writ against his ex Sadie Frost to stop her from publishing a "tell all book". A source has stated that Sadie has 'poured her heart out' in the book over all that Jude did to her.

Dean's comment: Sadie, are you pouring your heart out or have you found an angle to make money?? That's the million dollar question. You can hear the publisher now, "Miss Frost, the book is ok but it would be a real winner if you bare all about Jude".

Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham and Cheryl Cole

09/05/2010

Last week Cheryl Cole admitted that she was finding it hard to live in the media spotlight. She explained that she feels that the press have given her a rough time and that she does not take the criticism well. It is now rumoured (only a rumour at this stage) that she wants to seek legal advice about the whole subject matter of the press been overly harsh with her.

Dean's Comment: Mmm, your a celebrity very much in the spotlight who married a serial adulterer and appeared on the UK's biggest TV show. Of course the press are going to hound you! Also, when you earn your living through being a media personality the press really are your closest ally! Ok, lecture over with, what Cheryl really does not have to put up with is the media printing false or twisted stories. My advice, CALL ME NOW I am an expert at keeping the wrong stories out of the press!!!

Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham asks Round 3 to Katie Price or Peter Andre??

15/10/2009

Is this becoming the most public break-up in history and we haven't even reached the divorce yet!! In the latest battle between the pair it is alleged that Pete has had an argument with Alex Reid (Katies new boyfirend) on the phone during which he has called him a 'tranny and druggie' and threatened him.

Dean's comment: Im not taking sides here but Pete is playing right into Katies hands and at the moment it looks like "round 3 Katie". Eventually the whole break-up will be before the courts who will decide on important matters like who is going to get custody of the pink(!) toaster. You can bet your bottom dollar that Katie will be using this latest story as evidence of Pete's conduct. Final piece of advice to Pete, I'm sure that you have a better chance of reaching no:1 in the charts than you have of beating up a cage fighter.

Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham on the problems at Portsmouth FC

11/02/2010

Source: Sports-Teams.us

Portsmouth Football Club appeared in the High Court today to defend HMRC's petition to put the club into liquidation due to unpaid taxes. The court gave the club 7 days to find a buyer and settle the debt to HMRC failing which liquidation will become inevitable.

Dean's comment: This is a great shame and I have a personal interest here as one of the players is my client. I really think that a big message has to be sent out here to potential buyers of football clubs - "do not buy a club for a hobby, football is now a serious business and the only way to operate a club is as a business". I am of the strong opinion that the FA need to urgently review this and add something to the rules. From the players perspective if the club goes into liquidation they will be out of contract and will not have a club. However, under FA rules they will be able to sign for another club, although they will obviously not be in a good bargaining position in respect of terms.

Is Katie about to go into battle with ITV? Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham investigates

24/11/2009

Source: ITV.com

It is reported that Katie Price was paid a sum somewhere between £350,000 and £500,000 to go back into the jungle (I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here). Yesterday Katie dramatically announced that she was leaving the jungle fuelled by the fact that she had been voted to take part in another bushtucker trial, the seventh in a row! Rumours are now circulating that ITV bosses, furious that she has left the show, are demanding their money back claiming that she has not kept to her end of the bargain!

Dean's comment: We just can't keep this girl out of the news. One minute she is falling out with her husband Peter Andre, then there's the whole saga with the divorce, then she dates a cage fighting cross dresser (Steven Spielberg couldn't have cast him better for the Katie show) and now she is allegedly breaching contracts with ITV. What next?? Presumably Katie used a lawyer when she agreed her contract with ITV and presumably that lawyer knew what he/she was doing which means that he/she would have inserted a clause in the contract which allowed Katie to quit the jungle after a certain number of days or in the event that she was asked to do a certain number of bushtucker trials? If I am wrong Katie, give me a call before you go on the Jerry Springer show.

Celebrity Lawyer Dean Dunham on Gino D'Acampo and Stuart Manning Facing Criminal Charges

07/12/2009

I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here stars Gino D'Acampo and Stuart Manning have both received what is called "field summons notices" to appear in court in February on the charge of animal cruelty. The notices come after the RSPCA in Australia saw D'Acampo and Manning catch, kill and eat a rat whilst on the show.

Dean's Comment: "There's a rat in D'Acampo what am I going to do? I know I will catch and eat it" (bad joke but couldnt resist it but someone really needs to tell Gino that Ratatouilli does not actually have 'rat' in the ingredients!) I am no expert on Australian law so I have consulted an Australian legal coleague. He tells me that animal cruelty is taken extremely seriously in Australia and that the RSPCA down under have wide powers. However don't worry too much, our new King of the Jungle is only likely to recieve a fine and a listing on Australian's rat's most wanted list.