The Legal 500

‘Excellent in all respects’, Carter-Ruck’s claimant-led practice represented Tesco in its successful libel action against the Guardian over false allegations concerning the company’s tax affairs. Celebrity clients include Sir Elton John. Adam Tudor, Nigel Tait and Hanna Basha are singled out for praise, and associate Antonia Foster is described as an ‘excellent operator’.

Davenport Lyons has a strong emphasis on defendant work. 2008 saw the firm act for MGN in defending a libel claim brought by Jodie Marsh’s estranged husband. Other clients include Express Newspapers and Private Eye. Pre-publication advice is given Macmillan Publishing and Carlton Books. Kevin Bays and Philip Conway are held in high regard.

David Price Solicitors & Advocates’ clients include Cheryl Cole; it advised her and other members of Girls Aloud on matters such as a libel claim against Heat magazine. The firm also represented Mark Lester, star of Oliver!, in a libel win against the Daily Mail. David Price is described as ‘absolutely brilliant’.

Farrer & Co continues to carry out significant work for News Group Newspapers Ltd., notably on the Max Mosley case, while other clients include the Financial Times and The Economist. TV and media is a growth area. Julian Pike and Ben Beabey are ‘very good all-round litigators who have an excellent and detailed knowledge of the relevant case law and legal principles’. Richard Shillitto is also praised.

Geraldine Proudler at Olswang is a longstanding adviser to the Guardian, recently advising it on the proceedings for libel and malicious falsehood brought by Tesco, following an article suggesting that it had avoided £1bn corporation tax. Dan Tench attracts very high praise from clients; ‘he is very pragmatic and gets amazing results’. Proudler meanwhile is described as ‘very feisty’, and associate Ashley Hurst as ‘an internet defamation expert’.

Reynolds Porter Chamberlain LLP’s impressive client base includes Associated Newspapers and Independent News & Media Limited. The firm represented the Daily Mail, the Daily Mirror, the Daily Express and The Sun in the proceedings brought by Robert Murat relating to articles that wrongly alleged that he might have been involved in the abduction of Madeleine McCann. The firm also represents a number of high-profile individuals. Keith Mathieson is a ‘master strategist’, while Jaron Lewis is praised for his ‘superb judgment’.

In addition to its traditional work for celebrities, Schillings now advises a number of corporate entities and their directors on defamation matters. Clients include Madonna, whom the firm is representing in proceedings against Associated Newspapers for breach of privacy and infringement of copyright in relation to photos from her wedding. Clients praise the firm’s fast response times and ‘huge knowledge of media law’. Rachel Atkins, Keith Schilling and Simon Smith are all recommended.

Mark Stephens leads the team at Finers Stephens Innocent. The firm represented The Wall Street Journal Europe in a claim against a hedge fund. Other clients include The New York Times and the International Herald Tribune, which the firm represents on ‘libel tourism’ matters.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP, under Gerrard Tyrrell, regularly represents the Royal Family in privacy and defamation matters, including recently acting for the Duke of Edinburgh in responding to a claim made by the Evening Standard that he was suffering from cancer.

Simons Muirhead & Burton saw the arrival of Martin Soames (formerly of Best & Soames) in 2009. The firm acts on both claimant and defendant work, and in 2008 represented Random House in a defamation matter relating to Ricky Hatton’s book The Hit Man. The firm carries out pre-publication work for a number of publishers.

Taylor Wessing LLP regularly advises Associated Newspapers, most recently in relation to the claims brought by Madonna following the publication of photographs of her wedding. Internet libel is a growth area. Niri Shanmuganathan is praised for his ‘great flair and judgment’.

Wiggin LLP carries out defendant work for IPC Media/Groupe Marie Claire and Time Warner Books, and also Channel 4 and Five. 2008 saw the firm defending Grazia in a privacy claim brought by Victoria Beckham. Amali de Silva is a ‘top-class lawyer, who is highly intelligent, but also entirely approachable and client focused’, and Caroline Kean is also recommended.

Rupert Earle heads the department at Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP and, alongside Martin Kramer, brings a wealth of experience to the practice. Both are recommended for their ‘overall grip of this area of the law’. Clients include Times Newspapers Limited and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

2009 saw Charles Russell LLP has particular expertise in advising television clients, including Channel 4 and ITN. Duncan Lamont is described as ‘very sound’.

Russell Jones & Walker acted for Hodder & Stoughton in defending proceedings relating to Constance Briscoe’s book Ugly. On the institutional side the firm acts for a number of trade unions and other representative bodies, notably the Police Federation.

Swan Turton acted for Peaches Geldof in relation to alleged defamatory and privacy-infringing publications in the Daily Star and the Daily Mail. The firm regularly advises Paul McKenna and Danielle Lloyd. Jonathan Coad is recommended.

Teacher Stern LLP acts for a number of well-known celebrities, including Ashley Cole; it successfully obtained damages from News International in relation to photographs published of him in The Sun and the News of the World.

Withers LLP is building a strong presence in the area. Practice head Jennifer McDermott is ‘a very serious force in this field with immense experience, wisdom and status’. The firm advises a number of celebrities and public figures. Amber Melville-Brown, formerly with David Price Solicitors & Advocates, joined the firm in 2009, and Roberto Moruzzi is ‘quite superb’.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP acted for Asda in defending a malicious falsehood claim brought by Ajinomoto. David Engel heads the practice.

Aslan Charles Kousetta’s practice is led by Sue Charles and Susan Aslan The firm is representing Channel 4 in Matt Fiddes v Channel 4 and Studio Lambert, a libel action relating to a documentary about the Jacksons.

Bindmans LLP, under Tamsin Allen, continues to advise politicians as well as other public figures and publications. The firm acted for Emily Thornberry MP in a successful challenge to political leaflets issued by the Liberal Democrats.

DLA Piper UK LLP has an active practice under Duncan Calow, acting for Random House, Virgin Books and Macmillan.

Andrew Hearn heads the team at Dechert LLP, whose clients include Haymarket Publishing, the Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Telegraph. 2009 saw the firm represent Argos in relation to malicious falsehood claims.

Tony Jaffa at Foot Anstey in Exeter has a growing reputation. Clients include Northcliffe Media Ltd and Associated Newspapers Ltd. The service is ‘excellent’; advice is ‘sensible and commercial’.

Goodman Derrick LLP carries out pre-broadcast/publication clearance work for GMTV, ITV and Sky. Clive Ince joined from LG in 2009.

Paul Fox heads the team at H2O Law LLP, which acts for IPC Media Ltd and City AM, as well as PR companies such as Taylor Herring Public Relations Ltd.

Gordon Williams is at the helm at Lee & Thompson. The firm acts for David and Victoria Beckham on reputation management issues, as well as Katie Price and Peter Andre. It also provides pre-broadcast clearance advice to Kudos Film and Television.

Rod Dadak at Lewis Silkin LLP is praised for his ‘commitment to the cause, availability out of hours, support and realistic advice’. The firm acts for Express Newspapers and Haymarket Group.

M Law’s practice is headed by Christopher Hutchings. In 2008 the firm was instructed to bring libel proceedings against the makers and broadcaster of the Cutting Edge documentary The Jacksons are coming (Matt Fiddes v Channel 4 and Studio Lambert). Defendant clients include Hello! and Hachette.

Michael Simkins LLP advises the likes of Keith Allen, Arabella Weir and Sade, and has seen growth in defendant work. Catherine Fehler is ‘verydedicated’.

Mishcon de Reya’s clients include BDO Stoy Hayward. James Libson and Ramona Mehta are ‘strong and decisive’, and the group as a whole is recommended for its ‘no-nonsense, level-headed and commercial’ approach.

Protection of journalist sources is a growth area at Reed Smith. Michael Skrein has ‘wide-ranging knowledge of media law’ and is ‘very much in tune’ with media clients, and Emma Lenthall has a ‘fine legal brain’.

Steeles Law LLP acted for Max Mosley in relation to his claim against the News of the World. Dominic Crossley is praised for ‘his ability to give excellent advice at short notice’, while Tim Lowles is lauded for his ability to keep a grip on all the elements of a complex case.

Mark Thomson, previously of Carter-Ruck, is now at Atkins Thomson.