This is a very interesting development.  And it is potentially a way to beat these idiots at their own game using their own favorite forum - the courts.  And to top it off it is Europeans leading the charge!

If I do something that makes your property value drop I may be civilly liable for damages.  What if every person who has suffered economic losses started suing the people and groups who are spreading the tales of catastrophe and gloom and doom about MMGW?  These idiots will be forced to come into courts and present their so-called scientific evidence before a jury.  

Basically, you will have a jury composed of citizens seeing a private citizen suing a large, greedy entity for real, identifiable damages.  Juries love to award large damages against rich greedy entities.  MMGW is so flawed that even a half-witted lawyer should be able to make hay of their “scientific evidence” in a court.  

Can you imagine someone ultimately suing algore or one of his organizations or corporations for tens or hundreds of millions of dollars?  

This almost makes me want to buy some beach front property so I can sue some Marxist, Environmental Whacko for destroying the value of my property!  

I think I am on to something here.  

Read the rest here.

With a neutral Judiciary, strictly interpreting law without personal bias, this might be possible. But, with marxist judges ruling on motions and instructing juries, it doesn't look good.

The correct link referenced in my original post is:  http://www.expatica.com/es/articles/new ... ction.html

Read it and ponder.

I'm pondering. Do the plaintiffs have to show intent to do harm? Or, do they just have to show cause and effect?

I am not sure if intent is the critical factor.  But, clearly, Green Peace intended to "shock Spain into action on climate change."  

I am sure they have to show damages and it appears they think they have a case.  If I don't intend to do you harm I can still commit an actionable offense.  If I intend to harm you it is normally a more serious offense.  I think that is why we have different categories of homicide.  

I don't know if it will work or not but Europeans are trying to use the courts against Green Peace and it will prove interesting to see if it works.  If so, it has the potential to open up huge liability like the tobacco cases in the 1990s.  

It may become so expensive to advocate MMGW that no one will dare try.  It will be ironic to see the enviro-whackos to start demanding curbs on awards in civil liability cases and tort reform!

This will be interesting to watch. Based on absolutely nothing, my gut tells me this will be a judgment for the plaintiffs with damages awarded of 1 euro. I certainly hope not, but I think it is going to be very difficult to prove that Greenpeace propaganda negatively impacted a particular housing market. There are a number of ways to muddy the water on this main point of the case.

I wonder does Spain use the preponderance of evidence standard in civil court?  Or do they apply a higher standard?

They have the ads Green Peace has been using showing just the tops of the roofs coming up out of the water using Algore's premise of the flooding that Global Warming will cause.  They used their property as an example of the future and people have bought the Koolaid,  instead their property.  They have a real case but will the courts give them justice?  It's Spain.  It's doubtful.

Most continental law is based on the Napoleonic Code (yes, THAT Napoleon) and the criminal code is VERY different from English and American law.  For example in criminal cases in France, at least in some instances, you are presumed guilty until you prove your innocence.  

I have no idea how the Napoleonic Code differs from our code in civil matters.  However, I do know it is evidently much easier to sue for libel in the UK than in the USA.  But, the UK does not use the Napoleonic Code (chiefly due to the Duke of Wellington's victory at Waterloo in 1815) so that probably has no bearing in this matter.  

I have no idea how the case will turn out.  My gut tells me nothing except that paella and sangria are delicious things that originated in Spain.  It would be equally delicious if GreenPeace were skewered by the law in Spain.  The constant threat of massive civil liability might be sufficient to put a damper on their lunatic operations.