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Serena Wylde - Portugal
“It is devastating to be charged with a criminal offence. In my case this happened because I told what I believe to be the truth and it has been turned against me by those who don’t want to hear it." Serena Wylde
British business woman faced imprisonment for complaining about a lawyer on the Algarve
Serena Wylde faced a possible prison sentence in Portugal after making a confidential complaint against a lawyer to Portugal’s legal regulator. Serena was charged with aggravated criminal defamation which can carry a sentence of up to nine months’ imprisonment in violation of her right to peaceful free speech.
We first highlighted Serena’s case in December 2009. Serena has been living in a legal limbo for years, with the threat of a prison sentence hanging over her and the ongoing financial costs of retaining expert lawyers in Portugal to fight her case. In November 2011 Serena chose to travel to the Algarve to attend the trial and argue her case in person. Unfortunately, her trial was delayed, denying Serena her day in court.
In an unexpected development, the court decided on 29 November 2011 that too much time has passed for the prosecution to proceed. The case against her has been dropped.
Related Pages
- BRITISH WOMAN STANDS TRIAL TOMORROW FOR MAKING A CONFIDENTIAL COMPLAINT AGAINST A PORTUGUESE LAWYER Serena Wylde is facing a possible 9 month prison sentence in Portugal after making a complaint against a lawyer
- It’s a set-up, says woman accused of defaming Portuguese lawyer A British woman who could face jail for complaining about a Portuguese lawyer said today she was being "set up".
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