The High Court’s ruling on defamatory critiques and reviews is a huge loss for professional reviewers. Deborah Cameron of The Syndey Morning Herald covered the recent case awarded to Coco Roco of a ‘distasteful’ review from popular restaurant reviewer Leo Schofield in Curtain lowered on age of fearless food critic.

With this ruling sealed reviewers now need to take proper caution of possible litigation from unsatisfied business operators. Don’t expect to read any flagrant criticism covered by traditional media, online however, it seems the noose on professional etiquette is firm but nothing a smart online writer can’t avoid.