Complaints
Last updated: August 2026
If you are unhappy with something we have published — because you believe it is factually wrong, because it concerns you and you want to put your side, or for any other reason — we want to hear from you directly. We would far rather look at it and put it right than have you find out about our position through anyone else.
What to Include
So that we can deal with your complaint quickly, please tell us:
- The URL of the article, and the date you saw it
- The exact words you are complaining about — quoting them helps a great deal
- What you say is wrong with them, and what you say the correct position is
- Any documents, records or sources that support your position
- Whether you are the subject of the article, or acting for the subject
- How you would like it resolved — a correction, an update, a reply, or something else
- Your name and how to reach you
How We Handle It
- We acknowledge your complaint, normally within two business days
- An editor reviews the article, your points and any material you have sent
- Where we need more information, we come back to you for it
- We tell you our conclusion and what, if anything, we are doing about it
We aim to resolve complaints within fifteen business days of acknowledging them. Complaints that are complex, that involve third parties, or that concern matters before a court may take longer, and we will tell you if that is the case.
What We Can Do
- Correct a factual error, with a note on the article explaining what changed
- Update an article where circumstances have moved on — for example where a case has concluded or a status has changed
- Publish a reply or a statement of your position, where you are the subject of the article
- Clarify where something was accurate but capable of being misread
- Withdraw an article, with a retraction notice, where that is the right outcome
We do not remove articles simply because their subject would prefer they did not exist, and we do not treat criticism, satire or comment as an error merely because it is unwelcome. But we take every complaint seriously and we look at each on its merits.
Right of Reply
If you are the subject of something we have published and you want to put your own account on the record, tell us and we will consider publishing it. This is open to you whether or not you say anything we published was wrong.
Escalation
If you are not satisfied with how your complaint was handled, say so in reply and it will be reviewed by an editorial contact who was not involved the first time. Our editorial contacts are named on our Masthead.
Copyright and Other Complaints
Copyright complaints are handled under section 7 of our Terms of Use, through the same address. Requests relating to personal data are handled under our Privacy Policy.
Your Legal Rights
This process is offered voluntarily and in good faith. Using it does not affect any legal right you may have, and nothing here is an admission of any kind. We simply find that talking to us first is usually faster, cheaper and more effective for everyone than the alternative.