The arrangement, many assumed, was a convenient hedge against potential libel claims.

If enacted, would the same procedure eventually expand to include online libel claims, for instance?

Courts have held that the First Amendment provides journalists with extensive protections against typical libel claims.

Mr. Bostwick said he had little interest when a potential client walked into his office and wanted to file a conventional libel claim.

The new proposals face resistance from journalists and publishers who worry that the proposals remove many of their protections against libel claims.

Sir Albert tolerated criticism or written a libel claim against his government.

Mr. McPhilemy, who is 52, reacted by pressing several libel claims.

"I don't think about it," he said of the threat of a libel claim.

Legal experts say the suit is the first to use a libel claim to challenge charges made in a medical disciplinary proceeding concerning expert testimony.

The libel claim failed in 2010, and both sides were left to bear their own costs.