In Spain, the line followed by the courts in lawsuits about honour, privacy or personal images labours under the legacy of the Franco-era restrictions on freedom of expression.

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"I'm happy with a personal best but I wanted to win - I don't believe in laps of honour for being second, " he told BBC Sport.

BBC: European Athletics 2010: Welsh one-two in 400m hurdles

Personal guarantees were a feature of the Irish property boom and some Irish business people have been ordered to honour colossal guarantees.

BBC: anglo irish bank exterior