A new wave of internet provocateurs is taking their grudges offline and into courtrooms. What begins as slander on social media is increasingly ending in costly and often frivolous litigation, with taxpayers and victims footing the bill.
From Tweets to Tribunals
Take John Robertson, a self-styled whistle-blower who once proclaimed himself a crisis expert. His legal claims, however, tell another story. In a 2023 employment tribunal in Glasgow, his case was dismissed outright, filed too late and already contractually barred. Still, the legal process was set in motion: judges, court staff, and public resources were all engaged for a case doomed from the outset.
Robertson is just one of many digital agitators leveraging court systems to amplify online vendettas. His accusations range from financial fraud to criminal conspiracy all largely baseless. His posts are provocative and aggressive, yet when challenged, he deflects with vague promises of hidden files and secret evidence.
A Trend of Misuse
This misuse of the legal system isn’t limited to the UK. Craig Wright, long claiming to be Bitcoin’s elusive founder Satoshi Nakamoto, has sued critics globally. Courts have since dismissed his claims as fraudulent, but the damage legal bills, reputational harm, and developer withdrawals remain.
Tommy Robinson, too, weaponized the courts and internet to attack a Syrian refugee with false claims. The result: a libel loss, £100,000 in damages, and a teenager forced to abandon his education.
Such cases follow a troubling pattern of defamation and litigation not for justice, but intimidation.
Systemic Weaknesses, Real Costs
The legal system struggles to contain this abuse:
- Low Entry, High Stakes: Filing a case is cheap. Defending against it is not. Libel trials in the UK now average £500,000.
- Digital Amplification: Social media boosts these claims long before a judge can rule.
- Jurisdiction Hopping: Trolls dodge accountability by hiding behind burner accounts and offshore servers.
Impact on Everyday Lives
The human toll is deep. Careers stall over Google searches. Families relocate under the weight of online lies. Businesses lose contracts due to unverified online attacks. And while celebrities may afford defense, most victims can’t.
A System Under Strain
In Glasgow, as Robertson’s case was shelved and the courtroom lights dimmed, the damage endured online, unpaid, and unchecked. These trolls have realized that court filings can serve as both a weapon and a spotlight. Unless reforms are made, it’s the public that continues to pay the price for their stage.