Max Moseley went before MPs today in his campaign to reform the laws of privacy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7934438.stm
Notwithstanding his "victory" against the News of the World, it came at a considerable financial cost.
"Mr Mosley ..... was awarded a record £60,000 in privacy damages against the News of the World over the story.
The paper was also ordered to pay £420,000 of his legal costs but his total bill came to more than £500,000. "
That leaves Mr Moseley £30,000 out of pocket, despite the fact that the pursuer had the means to, and did, meet his legal expenses.
Without such means Mr Moseley, although he was the "victor", would have had to pick up the costs himself, considerable costs that accrued despite the relative simplicity of the case.
Had there been circumstances where the Law itself was being tested, and precedent being argued over and set, the costs would easily have escalated further.
As for the loser, the NotW picked up a tab of around £1 million.
Isn't it clear that Human Rights and free speech Laws are an expensive minefield, to be trodden through very carefully and only by those who have very deep pockets?