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  1. Defamation and privacy – Leading Sets
  2. Defamation and privacy – Leading Silks
  3. Defamation and privacy – Leading Juniors

1 Brick Court is praised for the quality of its clerks and the overall service of its barristers. ‘One of the top media QCs at the moment’, Andrew Caldecott QC is ‘an undisputed leader and tremendous advocate’ who ‘remains extremely down to earth and user friendly’. His recent highlights include appearing for Associated Newspapers in its successful defence of a claim for libel brought by Nathaniel Rothschild, while ‘doyen of the libel Bar’ Richard Rampton QC appeared for the defendant in Flood v Times Newspapers. Since taking silk in 2011, Manuel Barca QC has developed a strong reputation for his ‘fantastic advocacy skills’ and ‘robust approach, which makes him particularly good at cross-examination’. The ‘remarkable’ Catrin Evans is a ‘go-to junior’, as is Aidan Eardley, who is consistently praised for his ‘incredible brain’. Sarah Palin is ‘very impressive’, and Jane Phillips is an ‘absolutely excellent advocate’. David Glen is ‘still relatively junior but will surely be a top QC one day’.

5RB fields ‘a number of talented barristers working in this field’, several of whom have played prominent roles in the Leveson Inquiry and in the recent phone-hacking litigation. Desmond Browne QC is widely considered one of ‘the best libel silks in the business’; his ‘advocacy is as effective as it is good to watch’, and he ‘commands respect in the courtroom’. Browne recently acted for Lord Justice Sedley in a libel case against The Daily Telegraph relating to his alleged conduct in the Court of Appeal. Adrienne Page QC is ‘very practical and easy to deal with’, and James Price QC is ‘absolutely the best on legal issues’. Among the juniors, Jonathan Barnes is ‘exceptionally talented, dedicated and thorough’, and the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Alexandra Marzec has ‘very good judgement’. The ‘always thorough and proactive’ Godwin Busuttil is ‘rated very highly for his technical skills’ and ‘ability to judge what a case is really about’. The ‘exceptional’ Richard Munden played a notable role in the recent phone-hacking litigation, and David Hirst is an up-and-comer who ‘clearly knows his stuff’.

At Doughty Street Chambers, Heather Rogers QC represented The Times in a Court of Appeal hearing, and Gavin Millar QC acted for Trinity Mirror in a High Court privacy trial. Key juniors include Anthony Hudson, who is ‘quite brilliant in his field’ and ‘a senior junior of exceptional quality’; and Guy Vassall-Adams, who is a ‘top-class junior’ whose ‘contribution to complex legal and tactical debates is always constructive and valuable’.

Matrix Chambers’ Hugh Tomlinson QC ‘has made a great contribution to the development of the law in this field’, and is highlighted as ‘the mastermind behind the successful strategies employed in the phone-hacking litigation’, where he has led for 50 claimants in cases against News International. ‘Leading privacy barrister’ Antony White QC is ‘phenomenal, delightful and client friendly’, and has been representing News International in the Leveson Inquiry, assisted by renowned junior Lorna Skinner, who is ‘hardworking and committed to her clients’. Sara Mansoori joined in 2011 and is ‘a huge asset to the set’; she has ‘hit the ground running’ and is ‘very approachable and equally learned’.

Ely Place Chambers’ members continue to attract high-profile instructions. Ronald Thwaites QC’ was recently successful in a libel case for Sara Thornton against The Daily Telegraph, and William McCormick QC represented of the claimant in Tesla Cars v BBC. Notable juniors include John Samson.

4-5 Gray’s Inn Square’s Richard Spearman QC* is ‘very good on injunctions’ and has ‘long held a reputation as a doyen of the Bar’. His recent case highlights include JIH v News Group Newspapers and Goodwin v News Group Newspapers. Philip Coppel QC** is recommended for cases involving freedom of information and privacy, recently acting in Kennedy v Information Commissioner and Charity Commissioner. James Strachan* is a recommended junior. *Richard Spearman QC and James Strachan are now at Thirty Nine Essex Street.**Philip Coppel QC is now at Landmark Chambers.

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