header-logo header-logo

NLJ this week: Online advertising of prostitution needs to go

16 May 2025
Issue: 8116 / Categories: Legal News , Abuse , Criminal , Technology , Health & safety
printer mail-detail
218616
Robust legislation is needed to tackle the online advertising of prostitution, Lesley Manley, barrister at Church Court Chambers, urges in this week’s NLJ. New laws have been mooted, and must be ‘enforceable and effective’ and ‘avoid any unintended consequences’, she writes.

Manley writes: ‘It is undeniable that this vile trade has grown markedly in recent years, as criminals, traffickers and pimps have adopted various online platforms to advertise more widely.’ However, the websites hosting these adverts are legal because technology has outpaced legislation, even though they facilitate trafficking and appalling exploitation of vulnerable people. 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Freeths—Ruth Clare

Freeths—Ruth Clare

National real estate team bolstered by partner hire in Manchester

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Partner appointed head of family team

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

Firm strengthens agriculture and rural affairs team with partner return

NEWS
Conveyancing lawyers have enjoyed a rapid win after campaigning against UK Finance’s decision to charge for access to the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched a recruitment drive for talented early career and more senior barristers and solicitors
Regulators differed in the clarity and consistency of their post-Mazur advice and guidance, according to an interim report by the Legal Services Board (LSB)
The Solicitors Act 1974 may still underpin legal regulation, but its age is increasingly showing. Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Morrison-Hughes of the Association of Costs Lawyers argues that the Act is ‘out of step with modern consumer law’ and actively deters fairness
A Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruling has reopened debate on the availability of ‘user damages’ in competition claims. Writing in NLJ this week, Edward Nyman of Hausfeld explains how the CAT allowed Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen’s alternative damages case against Meta to proceed, rejecting arguments that such damages are barred in competition law
back-to-top-scroll