Led by Rupert Cowper-Coles, RPC‘s publishing practice handles a large number of defamation, commercial litigation and content disputes for media heavyweights. Focused on acting for defendants, the team is active in all publishing sub-sectors - from print and digital, to broadcast journalism - and, in addition to contentious work, also assists with pre-publication and publishing agreements. Cowper-Coles is a well-known media and content litigator and key relationship partner for several media organisations, NGOs, journalists and social media platforms. Keith Mathieson has a wealth of experience in representing large news organisations in defamation and privacy cases. Alex Wilson handles litigation in the media sector and advises on pre-publication issues; Alex Vakil is also noted for his media disputes work. Lindsay Warwick, who specialises in defamation, privacy, data and other media claims, joined the team from Associated Newspapers Limited in January 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Alex Vakil is absolutely outstanding, and is a top trial litigation solicitor. He's a fantastic team leader, very clever, immensely hard-working and he's a total joy to work with.'
‘Nadia Tymkiw and Samantha Thompson are excellent media lawyers who advise in a pragmatic way.’
‘RPC is for us to the go-to media defence firm, especially for non-commercial defendants. They have a simply excellent grasp of defamation law and procedure. As someone not experienced in High Court media litigation, their sure and confident grasp on tactical negotiation of the court's procedures was exceptionally helpful. I was most impressed by RPC's flexible and pragmatic approach to getting a defence off the ground.’
‘Rupert Cowper-Coles and Samantha Thompson have been deeply impressive.’
‘Keith Mathieson is careful and pragmatic, Lindsay Warwick is a great new hire for the team, and Alexander Pollock is an up-and-coming young associate.’
‘What's special about RPC's media law team is its specialisation in media defence and the number of specialist partners they have dealing with this work. In my view they are unrivalled in these respects in England and Wales. Their lawyers are involved in many of the leading media law litigation cases in this jurisdiction and so have unrivalled cutting-edge practical experience.’
‘I particularly rate partner Alex Wilson. He has great experience of working closely with a variety of news publishers, and he is very quick and attentive with responses. Rupert Cowper-Coles is a smooth operator with good gravitas.'
'Alex Vakil is very smart and gives good no nonsense advice. We are also beginning to work with Lindsay Warwick and have found her hands-on practical experience of newspaper work very good. Senior Associate Mafruhdah Miah is very quick and a safe pair of hands - we like her confidence and assured approach.’
Key clients
- Associated Newspapers Limited
- MGN Limited / Reach PLC
- Times Media Limited
- News Group Newspapers Limited
- Bloomberg LP
- Channel 4
- The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
- Peter McCormack
- Carole Cadwalladr
- The Spectator (1928) Limited
Work highlights
Acted for Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) in a libel action brought by the Duke of Sussex against ANL over an article published in February 2022, successfully defending the action.
Acting for six individuals who are being sued in defamation and harassment by a cosmetic surgery clinic, Signature Medical Limited, over reviews and comments on Trustpilot or Facebook expressing dissatisfaction with their treatment with the clinic.
Acting for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in the defence of a libel claim brought over a public interest article published in conjunction with the Telegraph by a UK-registered company with connections to the former Kazakh regime.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Rupert Cowper-Coles
Other key lawyers
Keith Mathieson; Lindsay Warwick; Alex Wilson; Alex Vakil; Samantha Thompson; Nadia Tymkiw; Mafruhdha Miah; Alexander Pollock