Rupert Cowper-Coles > RPC > London, England > Lawyer Profile
RPC Offices
TOWER BRIDGE HOUSE
ST KATHARINE'S WAY
LONDON
E1W 1AA
England
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Rupert Cowper-Coles
Work Department
Media
Position
Partner in the media team, specialising in media litigation, most often in the fields of defamation, privacy, data protection and harassment law.
Rupert predominantly advises publishers and intermediaries in defending claims and exercising their free speech rights, acting for a spectrum of well-known clients including national newspapers, magazines, book publishers and journalists. He is experienced in litigating complex and developing areas of law, including on foreign jurisdiction issues, intermediary liability and the impact of European law on domestic information rights. Prior to joining RPC in 2016, Rupert predominantly advised prospective claimants.
Career
Trained at Withers LLP from 2009, qualified 2011; solicitor at Withers LLP 2011 – 2016; joined RPC as an associate solicitor in 2016; promoted to senior associate in 2018.
Education
University of Edinburgh 2003 – 2007 (MA Political Science); BPP Law School 2007 – 2009 (GDL and LPC).
Lawyer Rankings
London > Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity
RPC counts major tech, social media, and newspaper companies among its impressive roster of clients, handling the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters for clients including Meta, Google, TikTok, and the BBC. Jon Bartley leads on data advisory matters, with a sector focus on retail and technology. Richard Breavington takes point on cyber matters, while Rupert Cowper-Coles and David Cran are the key names for data and tech disputes. Also in the core team is Oliver Bray, whose practice has a particular focus on data issues relating to digital media and online retail. The ‘oustanding’ Joe Lippitt was elevated to the partnership in May 2023 and is also recommended.
London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Reputation management
(Next Generation Partners)As ‘one of the most experienced’ defendant-focused media teams, RPC comprises specialists in defamation, privacy and editorial advisory services; the firm acts for clients across all areas of the media, including national and local newspapers, broadcasters, magazines and freelance journalists. Practice head Keith Mathieson is experienced in advising on media content and defending matters pertaining to freedom of expression. Rupert Cowper-Coles has a strong track record defending leading media and tech organisations in data protection cases. Alex Wilson is regularly instructed by media organisations on matters surrounding defamation, privacy and data protection. Alex Vakil acts on behalf of broadcasters, online platforms and publishers in a variety of contentious reputation and data matters.
London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Digital content & social
RPC‘s comprehensive client roster – including major social media platforms and digital content publishers – benefits from the firm’s broader expertise in media, data protection, commercial, advertising, IP and litigation. Practice head Oliver Bray specialises in advertising and is a regular advisor to platform-based tech giants such as Meta (including all of its platforms) and Google; his workload further spans ecommerce, AdTech and regulatory investigations. Other recommended individuals include renowned media litigator Rupert Cowper-Coles, who represents a number of leading tech organisations and digital publishers, and data protection expert Jon Bartley.
London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Theatre, publishing and other media
RPC is a regular advisor to leading national and local newspapers, web and book publishers, broadcasters, magazines, tech and freelance journalists, and media liability insurers. Team head Keith Mathieson is an expert in defamation and privacy claims; he has notable expertise with regards to press regulation, having acted for Associated Newspapers throughout the Leveson Inquiry. Experienced litigator Rupert Cowper-Coles specialises in data protection disputes. Promoted to partner in mid-2022 alongside solicitor-advocate Alex Vakil, Alex Wilson is often instructed to provide pre-publication advice and has represented clients in cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Lawyer Rankings
- Media: Digital content & social London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
- Media: Theatre, publishing and other media London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
- Next Generation Partners London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Reputation management
- Reputation management London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
- Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity London > Risk advisory
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Corporate and commercial > Commercial contracts
- Risk advisory > Corporate governance
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Digital content & social
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Theatre, publishing and other media
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Reputation management
- Industry focus > Retail and consumer
Firm Rankings
- Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail
- Corporate and commercial > Customs and excise
- Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: civil
- Employment > Health and safety
- Insurance > Insurance and reinsurance litigation
- Insurance > Insurance: corporate and regulatory
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Advertising & marketing
- Insurance > Product liability: defendant
- Insurance > Professional negligence
- Dispute resolution > Tax litigation and investigations
- Industry focus > TMT
- Corporate and commercial > VAT and indirect tax
- Insurance > Clinical negligence: defendant
- Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity
- Employment > Employers
- Crime, fraud and licensing > Gaming and betting
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design
- Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates)
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport
- Private client > Art and cultural property
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium
- Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers
- Dispute resolution > Competition litigation
- Real estate > Construction: contentious
- Corporate and commercial > Financial services: contentious
- Dispute resolution > International arbitration
- Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare
- Corporate and commercial > M&A: Lower Mid-Market Deals, £100m-£750m
- Corporate and commercial > Partnership
- Insurance > Personal injury: defendant
- Dispute resolution > Professional discipline
- Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory
- Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals)
- Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £250m)
- Public sector > Administrative and public law
- Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency
- Finance > Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans