Hacked Off welcomes the news that an alternative press regulator, Impress, is to seek recognition from the Press Recognition Panel. The Panel, which was set up under the royal charter agreed by Parliament to implement the recommendations of the Leveson report, should be ready to receive applications later in the year.

If Impress or any other regulator is recognised by the Panel, victims of press abuse will get protection from court costs if they are forced to sue a newspaper which has failed to join a recognised regulator. The industry’s own body, Ipso, which fails to meet the criteria for independence from editors and proprietors, has already said it will not seek recognition.

The Press Recognition Panel is expected to hold a public consultation over the summer on the criteria it will apply before awarding recognition.