Which court decided it?

European Court of Human Rights in 2009. Neutral citation: (2010) 50 EHRR 46.

Why does it matter for UK journalists?

Even indirect identification of sources through documents can breach Article 10. Chilling effect on future sources considered as part of the proportionality assessment. National courts must apply the "overriding requirement" test rigorously.

Financial Times Ltd and Others v United Kingdom

(2010) 50 EHRR 46 — European Court of Human Rights, 2009

Last reviewed: 14 July 2026Next review due: 14 January 2027

What the court held

The ECtHR held that ordering the Financial Times, Times, Guardian, Independent, and Reuters to hand over documents that could identify a source breached Article 10 ECHR. Reinforced Goodwin — source protection is a "cornerstone" of press freedom.

Key rulings

Even indirect identification of sources through documents can breach Article 10.
Chilling effect on future sources considered as part of the proportionality assessment.
National courts must apply the "overriding requirement" test rigorously.

Topics

Source protectionArticle 10 ECHRecthr

Acts cited

European Convention on Human Rights

Authoritative source

Read the full judgment on HUDOC (European Court of Human Rights):

https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-96157

Related landmark cases

Landmark caseGoodwin v United Kingdom (1996) 22 EHRR 123Read →Landmark caseAshdown v Telegraph Group Ltd [2001] EWCA Civ 1142Read →Landmark caseIn re Guardian News and Media Ltd [2010] UKSC 1Read →Landmark caseKennedy v Charity Commission [2014] UKSC 20Read →

Case summaries are drafted by UK JournoHub Editorial for practising UK journalists. They are not legal advice. Always consult primary sources and, for high-risk stories, take specialist legal advice.