Considered by clients as the ‘undisputed leader in media and communications law’, 5RB is predominantly engaged in high-profile libel amd media cases. Adrienne Page KC, leading Godwin Busutill, successfully represented the claimants in Harcombe & Kendrick v Associated Newspapers Ltd, in a libel claim against the publishers of The Mail on Sunday for defamation after the publication referred to the claimants as "statin deniers". Led by Gervase de Wilde , Justin Rushbrooke KC represented Jusan Technologies Ltd in multiple libel claims made against three different publishers in Jusan Technologies Ltd v TBIJ, Telegraph Media Group & openDemocracy, concerning articles alleging the claimant facilitated corruption by former Kazakhstan president Nursultan Nazarbayev. Aidan Eardley KC is representing the former Secretary of State for Health in Bridgen v Hancock, a libel case between two former Conservative MPs, while Adam Wolanski KC and Sam Rowe successfully represented multiple media groups in the Court of Appeal concerning the reporting restrictions on the family litigation surrounding Sara Sharif, allowing the release of the names of the judges in earlier family litigation involving the murdered child.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks are extremely personable, efficient and hardworking.'
- '5RB remains the undisputed leader in media and communications law, with unrivalled strength in depth across all levels of seniority.'
- '5RB have very impressive juniors.'
- '5RB is a very friendly and commercially sensible set.'
- 'A fantastic as a set of chambers. They have a great breadth of expertise and are always helpful to work with.'
- '5RB continue to be the leading media and defamation chambers.'
Lawyers
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Justin Rushbrooke KC
Adam Speker KC
Adrienne Page KC
Adam Wolanski KC
Jonathan Barnes KC
'Jonathan is a superb barrister. He is a brilliant strategist and provides extremely wise counsel.'
Tom Blackburn SC
Aidan Eardley KC
2025 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Jacob Dean KC
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Jane Phillips
David Sherborne
Clara Hamer
'Clare provides very thorough and considered written advice.'
Kate Wilson
Ben Gallop
‘He is a phenomenal junior with a very bright future. He is had working and very smart. He has very good judgement and gives practical and sensible advice.'
Richard Munden
'Richard is an excellent advocate. He is focused and robust, and he is good with clients.'
Jonathan Scherbel-Ball
Jonathan is, without question, the pre-eminent practitioner in this field. He is a skilled litigator, top-flight advocate and a trusted advisor.'
Greg Callus
Ben Hamer
‘Ben is very bright and hard working. His ability to navigate complex issues with speed and ease is consistently impressive. He is a pleasure to work with and a rising star.'
David Hirst
Julian Santos
Chloe Strong
Gervase de Wilde
Godwin Busuttil
Victoria Jolliffe
Felicity McMahon
John Stables
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
Luke Browne
‘Luke’s attention to detail is outstanding and he is very user-friendly.’
Hope Williams
Hope is exceptionally talented, polished and hardworking. She is unquestionably a future star of the Bar.’