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

Defamation and privacy – New Silks

1 Brick Court remains ‘one of the best sets for defamation and privacy work’, with ‘members that are consistently of the highest quality’ and ‘clerking that is first rate, prompt, experienced and efficient’. The ‘formidable’ Andrew Caldecott QC ‘adds a touch of genius to cases’, and appeared in Spiller v Joseph for the Interveners (Guardian News and Media Limited, Times Newspapers Limited, Associated Newspapers Limited, The Financial Times Limited, the BBC, and British Sky Broadcasting Limited), where the Supreme Court relaxed the requirements for honest comment. Richard Rampton QC is a ‘leading force in the libel world’ and has ‘strong intellect and tremendous experience’; he appeared in McLaughlin v London Borough of Lambeth, a case brought by the management of a primary school against its local authority for libel and infringement of Article 8 for publications to the Department for Education. Among the juniors, Catrin Evans is ‘clever, experienced and hardworking’, David Glen is ‘bright, sensible and pragmatic’, Sarah Palin is ‘calm, bright and diligent’, Aidan Eardley is ‘a class act’, Ian Helme is ‘very intelligent and perceptive’, Kate Wilson is ‘dependable, clear thinking and decisive’, and the ‘hardworking’ Timothy Atkinson is also singled out.

‘Truly experts for defamation and privacy matters’, 5RB has ‘high-quality barristers throughout’ and houses ‘clerks who are always helpful and approachable’. Leading silks include the ‘brilliant’ Desmond Browne QC, who acted for the BBC in Doncaster Council v BBC, successfully discharging an injunction obtained by Doncaster Council relating to the Serious Case Report on the Edlington boys convicted of serious assault. The ‘fantastic’ Adrienne Page QC has ‘incredible intellect’ and acted for Channel 4, Studio Lambert and Jane Preston in successfully defending the libel action by Matt Fiddes, in relation to a documentary about the Jackson family. Other recommended silks include Mark Warby QC, who is ‘very thorough and thoughtful’, and James Price QC, who is ‘outstanding’. Among the juniors, standout individuals include Jonathan Barnes, who ‘consistently provides reassuring and sensible advice, demonstrating his unerringly sound judgment’; the ‘brilliant’ David Sherborne; Alexandra Marzec, who is ‘highly recommended’; Justin Rushbrooke, who is ‘simply outstanding’; the ‘knowledgeable’ Matthew Nicklin; Jacob Dean, who is a ‘top-notch junior’; Adam Wolanski, who is ‘competent and resourceful’; the ‘client-friendly’ Adam Speker; David Hirst, who is ‘a pleasure to instruct’; William Bennett, who ‘thinks outside the box’; and Iain Christie, who is ‘first rate’. Richard Parkes QC was recently appointed to the circuit bench.

With ‘clerks that are friendly and solution focused’, Doughty Street Chambers has ‘impressive expertise in defamation and privacy matters’, and in the past 12 months has acted for claimants and for defendants in defamation, breach of confidence and privacy cases. Standout individuals include the ‘resourceful’ Gavin Millar QC, who appeared in R (On the application of Binyam Mohammed) v Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, representing the UK media, intervening in the Foreign Secretary’s appeal against the decision of the Divisional Court to include in its judgment findings as to the mistreatment of the applicant in US custody in Pakistan in 2002. Head of Chambers Geoffrey Robertson QC is ‘beyond brilliant’. Heather Rogers QC also stands out for her ‘wealth of experience’ in the field. Leading juniors include Anthony Hudson, who is ‘one to watch’, and Guy Vassall-Adams.

New head of chambers at Ely Place Chambers, the ‘brilliant’ William McCormick QC, and the ‘thorough’ and ‘extremely talented’ Ronald Thwaites QC are both instructed by Tesler Cars in its action against BBC Top Gear. Thwaites has also been instructed by the Mirror Group in an action bought by Chelsea FC and Roman Abramovich. Among the juniors, the ‘knowledgeable and able’ John Samson is singled out.

A ‘fantastic set for defamation and privacy work’, 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square is ‘responsive’ and houses ‘a number of high-calibre juniors and silks’. Leading individuals include Richard Spearman QC, who is regarded as ‘excellent, knowledgeable, available and not scared of hard work’, and appeared for the BBC in BBC v Harpercollins and Collins regarding an application for an injunction to restrain publication of the identity of the racing driver who played the part of The Stig on Top Gear, and the ‘impressive’ Philip Coppel QC, who appeared in the appeal by The Times journalist Dominic Kennedy against the Charity Commission’s refusal to disclose any documents relating to its three inquiries into former MP George Galloway. At a junior level, key individuals include the ‘excellent’ James Strachan, who is heavily involved in privacy cases and is praised for his ability to ‘work phenomenally hard’.

Matrix Chambers’ ‘pre-eminent’ Hugh Tomlinson QC is ‘professional, knowledgeable, cutting edge, and dependable’; ‘he has a real passion for the law and this is reflected in his focus and intensity’. The ‘first-rate’ Antony White QC appeared for national media in A v Independent regarding media access to Court of Protection hearings. Lorna Skinner is ‘thorough, hardworking, dedicated, highly intelligent and very pleasant to work with’, and Sara Mansoori is singled out as being ‘user-friendly’, with ‘excellent legal knowledge, combined with a practical approach that gets the job done for clients’.

Also recommended is Jeremy Reed at Hogarth Chambers, who is acting for Max Clifford in the ongoing case of Max Clifford v News Group Newspapers concerning the interception of mobile phone voicemail messages.

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