BLOG: After the Guardian and Carter Ruck's showdown, Philip Gray writes on how the internet is catching up with injunctions

I think there is that possibility, if only at present, in relation to the law on injunctions on the media (otherwise known as "gagging orders"), which are granted by the courts to prevent the publication of a story within the UK.

The number and readership of websites and transnational news feeds is now huge and gives the judiciary new questions to consider when deciding whether to grant an injunction.

Injunctions are awarded at the discretion of the courts. One of the main factors considered is whether an injunction, if awarded, will actually achieve its aim.

This is summed up by the principle that the courts will not grant an injunction in vain i.e. where the injunction would have no practical affect.

It will be very interesting to see how the courts deal with applications for injunctions in the future particularly where the issues involved are of global reporting interest and potentially out of reach of our courts.

* Philip Gray is a solicitor with Kirwans