[JURIST] The UK House of Lords Thursday granted the request of film director Roman Polanski [JURIST report] that he be allowed to pursue a libel suit via video tape. Polanski is suing Vanity Fair magazine for libel in the UK, but doesn't want to travel to Britain for fear of being extradited to the US, where he is wanted on child sex offense charges. The Law Lords have ruled that Polanski can testify in the trial via a video conferencing link from France, where he currently resides. Citing a strong public interest in allowing the claim to be properly litigated, the court wrote "Despite his fugitive status, a fugitive from justice is entitled to invoke the assistance of the court and its procedures in protection of his civil rights." Read the Law Lords' opinion [text]. BBC News has more.