5RB is a ‘dominant set for defamation and privacy’, with its barristers relied upon ‘to produce first class work‘. Adrienne Page KC and Andrew Caldecott KC were for the claimant and defendant respectively in Sharif v Associated Newspapers Ltd, a trial concerning the meaning of a Mail article accusing the Pakistani prime minister of various fraud-related schemes. In Attorney General v BBC, Adam Wolanski KC is representing the BBC in a case brought by the government seeking to prevent the identification of an MI5 covert human intelligence source (CHIS) accused of abusing women. In addition, ‘excellent‘ David Sherborne acted alongside Julian Santos, representing the defendants and going up against Kate Wilson in IS Prime Ltd v Siddiqui and TF Global Markets (UK) Limited, a malicious falsehood claim stemming from messages shared between the defendants in relation to separate proceedings the claimant was a party to.
Defamation and privacy in
London Bar5RB
Testimonials
Set
‘5RB is the dominant set for defamation and privacy, and their barristers can be relied on to produce first class work.‘
‘5RB of course top defamation/privacy/reputation management set.‘
‘5RB leads the field because it is solely focused on the media torts/defamation and privacy.’
Matrix Chambers
Characterised as ‘one of the leading defamation and privacy chambers at the Bar’, members of Matrix Chambers represent a variety of clients, including broadcasters, major news outlets and high-profile celebrities. In Vardy v Rooney (referred to in some quarters as “Wagatha Christie”), Hugh Tomlinson KC and Sara Mansoori KC represented Rebekah Vardy, wife of 2019-20 Premier League Golden Boot winner Jamie, in a claim against Coleen Rooney, wife of DC United manager Wayne, accusing her of posting defamatory statements on Twitter and Instagram alleging that Mrs Vardy had been leaking her private posts to The Sun. Antony White KC represented Bloomberg in ZXC v Bloomberg, a case focused on whether criminal suspects have a reasonable expectation of privacy, where he saw Mansoori as opposing counsel. In addition, Catrin Evans KC led Ben Silverstone in Eurasian Natural Resources Corp Ltd v Qajygeldin, acting for the former Prime Minister of Kazakhstan in a breach of confidence claim by ENRC.
Testimonials
Set
‘Matrix Chambers has developed into one of the leading defamation and privacy chambers at the Bar.’
‘The barristers at Matrix Chambers are well-rounded and well able to advise on legal concepts spanning multiple practice areas, with ease.’
‘Matrix barristers think around the issues and do not confine themselves to arguments based purely on one area of law.’
‘Matrix are a leading set in defamation and privacy.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are responsive and a pleasure to work with.’
‘The clerking team are excellent.’
11KBW
11KBW ‘has an incredible breadth of talent across the set. They are absolutely one of the go-to sets in this area with a fast-growing defamation and privacy practice’, advising tech giants, media outlets, and private individuals in a variety of matters. In Whyte v CBS Interactive, Anya Proops KC was instructed by the defendant, concerning its publication of news articles claiming the former British heavyweight boxing champion had tested positive for banned substances. In Sharif v Associated Newspapers Limited, David Glen acted for the publisher in a defamation claim brought by Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, relating to a Mail on Sunday article reporting an ongoing police investigation in Pakistan. Additionally, in Mehmet Baltaci v Refinitiv Limited, Hannah Ready represented the owner of the World-Check database in relation to the claimant’s inclusion in its “non-conviction terror” section.
Testimonials
Set
‘They are one of the most impressive set in this area.‘
‘11KBW has an incredible breadth of talent across the set. They are absolutely one of the go-to sets in this area with a fast-growing defamation and privacy practice, building on their stellar credentials in data protection and information law.’
‘The responsiveness and attention to client service offered by 11KBW is second to none.’
’11KBW provides excellent resources, including their Panopticon blog, which regularly highlights new case and legislative updates, and their annual Information Law Conference, which highlights all of the most recent developments in data protection, privacy, information law and media law-related matters.‘
‘11KBW as a whole are very approachable and knowledgeable. They usually go out of their way to accommodate even the most urgent requests.‘
Clerking
‘Excellent. All the clerks are very able, courteous and efficient.‘
Doughty Street Chambers
With a ‘first rate team‘, members of Doughty Street Chambers act in a range of defamation, privacy, and data protection matters, representing media organizations and high-net-worth individuals. In Brake v Guy & Others, Heather Rogers KC led Jonathan Price, representing the claimant in the Court of Appeal case concerning the misuse of private information in relation to personal emails on a work account. In Stocker v Stocker, Claire Overman acted on behalf of the claimant in the Supreme Court, with respect to Facebook posts between ex-spouses, with the court clarifying certain issues in relation to defamatory social media publications. In addition, Jude Bunting KC – who took silk in 2022 – focuses on issues relating to anonymity in criminal proceedings.
Testimonials
Set
‘Doughty Street is a great set and services whatever is required.‘
‘Chambers has experience in this area at every level.‘
‘Doughty Street are beginning to develop a reputation as a ‘player’ in the media litigation field and are also developing their civil practice generally.’
‘Lawyers are of excellent quality.‘
‘Doughty Street has a first rate team. It has increasing strength in depth.‘
Clerking
‘Melvin Warner is a great clerk.‘
5RB
Testimonials
Set
‘5RB is the dominant set for defamation and privacy, and their barristers can be relied on to produce first class work.‘
‘5RB of course top defamation/privacy/reputation management set.‘
‘5RB leads the field because it is solely focused on the media torts/defamation and privacy.’
Matrix Chambers
Characterised as ‘one of the leading defamation and privacy chambers at the Bar’, members of Matrix Chambers represent a variety of clients, including broadcasters, major news outlets and high-profile celebrities. In Vardy v Rooney (referred to in some quarters as “Wagatha Christie”), Hugh Tomlinson KC and Sara Mansoori KC represented Rebekah Vardy, wife of 2019-20 Premier League Golden Boot winner Jamie, in a claim against Coleen Rooney, wife of DC United manager Wayne, accusing her of posting defamatory statements on Twitter and Instagram alleging that Mrs Vardy had been leaking her private posts to The Sun. Antony White KC represented Bloomberg in ZXC v Bloomberg, a case focused on whether criminal suspects have a reasonable expectation of privacy, where he saw Mansoori as opposing counsel. In addition, Catrin Evans KC led Ben Silverstone in Eurasian Natural Resources Corp Ltd v Qajygeldin, acting for the former Prime Minister of Kazakhstan in a breach of confidence claim by ENRC.
Testimonials
Set
‘Matrix Chambers has developed into one of the leading defamation and privacy chambers at the Bar.’
‘The barristers at Matrix Chambers are well-rounded and well able to advise on legal concepts spanning multiple practice areas, with ease.’
‘Matrix barristers think around the issues and do not confine themselves to arguments based purely on one area of law.’
‘Matrix are a leading set in defamation and privacy.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are responsive and a pleasure to work with.’
‘The clerking team are excellent.’
11KBW
11KBW ‘has an incredible breadth of talent across the set. They are absolutely one of the go-to sets in this area with a fast-growing defamation and privacy practice’, advising tech giants, media outlets, and private individuals in a variety of matters. In Whyte v CBS Interactive, Anya Proops KC was instructed by the defendant, concerning its publication of news articles claiming the former British heavyweight boxing champion had tested positive for banned substances. In Sharif v Associated Newspapers Limited, David Glen acted for the publisher in a defamation claim brought by Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, relating to a Mail on Sunday article reporting an ongoing police investigation in Pakistan. Additionally, in Mehmet Baltaci v Refinitiv Limited, Hannah Ready represented the owner of the World-Check database in relation to the claimant’s inclusion in its “non-conviction terror” section.
Testimonials
Set
‘They are one of the most impressive set in this area.‘
‘11KBW has an incredible breadth of talent across the set. They are absolutely one of the go-to sets in this area with a fast-growing defamation and privacy practice, building on their stellar credentials in data protection and information law.’
‘The responsiveness and attention to client service offered by 11KBW is second to none.’
’11KBW provides excellent resources, including their Panopticon blog, which regularly highlights new case and legislative updates, and their annual Information Law Conference, which highlights all of the most recent developments in data protection, privacy, information law and media law-related matters.‘
‘11KBW as a whole are very approachable and knowledgeable. They usually go out of their way to accommodate even the most urgent requests.‘
Clerking
‘Excellent. All the clerks are very able, courteous and efficient.‘
Doughty Street Chambers
With a ‘first rate team‘, members of Doughty Street Chambers act in a range of defamation, privacy, and data protection matters, representing media organizations and high-net-worth individuals. In Brake v Guy & Others, Heather Rogers KC led Jonathan Price, representing the claimant in the Court of Appeal case concerning the misuse of private information in relation to personal emails on a work account. In Stocker v Stocker, Claire Overman acted on behalf of the claimant in the Supreme Court, with respect to Facebook posts between ex-spouses, with the court clarifying certain issues in relation to defamatory social media publications. In addition, Jude Bunting KC – who took silk in 2022 – focuses on issues relating to anonymity in criminal proceedings.
Testimonials
Set
‘Doughty Street is a great set and services whatever is required.‘
‘Chambers has experience in this area at every level.‘
‘Doughty Street are beginning to develop a reputation as a ‘player’ in the media litigation field and are also developing their civil practice generally.’
‘Lawyers are of excellent quality.‘
‘Doughty Street has a first rate team. It has increasing strength in depth.‘
Clerking
‘Melvin Warner is a great clerk.‘