Rupert Earle > Bates Wells > London, England > Lawyer Profile
Bates Wells Offices
10 QUEEN STREET PLACE
LONDON
EC4R 1BE
England
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Rupert Earle
Work Department
Dispute Resolution
Position
Public law: numerous cases for the Advertising Standards Authority, including City Fibre v ASA 2019 and Actegy v ASA 2019; challenges to Transport for London’s ban on advertising for Northern Cyprus, FCDO for cuts in overseas aid budget, DEFRA for failure to enforce animal welfare legislation in respect of broiler chickens.
Defamation: defending numerous libel actions for Times Newspapers and other publishers, including Cruddas v Calvert, CA 2015; Takenaka v Frankl, first anonymous email libel tracing action to reach trial; disclosure actions against Facebook, Twitter, BT, etc; libel action for Prince Nayef against The Independent.
Freedom of information: several cases for journalists and authors, including MPs additional cost allowances case against House of Commons, Kennedy v Charity Commission (Supreme Court 2014) and Lownie v University of Southampton and Cabinet Office.
Broadcasting: Licensing disputes with Ofcom
Career
- Trained Theodore Goddard, admitted as a Solicitor in 1988
- Partner, Theodore Goddard/Addleshaw Goddard, 1997-2007
- Partner, Bates Wells, 2007 to Present
Memberships
- Member of the Administrative Law Bar Association
- Member of the Advertising Law Group
- Member of the Society for Computing and the Law
Education
- Cambridge University, BA History, 1982
Lawyer Rankings
London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Reputation management
Bates Wells has experience working for major newspaper publishers, charities, student unions and faith-based broadcasters on matters relating to harassment, moral rights, unfair commercial practices and data protection, with a particular emphasis on matters involving social media. Rupert Earle acts as head of media disputes, with a strong track record acting for major institutions, household name brands and famous individuals. Alex de Jongh is particularly experienced in advising campaigning groups on defamation matters.
London > Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity
With a niche specialisation in advising charities and not-for-profit organisations, Bates Wells has particular strength in advising public sector bodies and political organisations on complex privacy issues. The team is now led by Eleonor Duhs, formerly at Fieldfisher. Duhs’ practice focuses on GDPR compliance matters and has significant government experience, where she worked on the UK’s negotiations on the GDPR. Also in the core team are Rupert Earle and associate Hannah Lyons; Earle handles media and regulatory issues, while Lyons specialises in charity sector-related data protection issues.
London > Industry focus > TMT
Bates Wells has a full-service TMT offering and advises on commercial contracts, data privacy, M&A, immigration issues and employment matters. The practice is particularly adept at matters relating to gig economy, outsourcing and media. Team head Richard Marke acts for IT clients in technology product acquisitions while Rupert Earle leads the media litigation work. Paul Jennings handles employment and partnership issues within the sector.
London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Theatre, publishing and other media
Bates Wells receives regular instructions from large and acclaimed theatres, performance companies and venues, such as the English National Opera, Royal Albert Hall and Shakespeare’s Globe, as well as foundations established by high-profile media personalities and brands. Culture and creative head Erica Crump handles branding, commercial, governance and IP issues for a range of performance and cultural organisations. Also adept in the publishing sphere, Crump co-heads the practice alongside advertising and marketing veteran Rupert Earle.
London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Advertising & marketing
(Hall of Fame)Bates Wells handles a broad range of mandates including promotions, direct marketing and prize draws, with a particular focus on work for the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The practice is jointly led by Rupert Earle and Erica Crump; with Earle having deep knowledge of regulatory issues concerning ASA, and Crump handling all matters faced by cultural and performance organisations.
Lawyer Rankings
- Hall of Fame London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Advertising & marketing
- Media: Theatre, publishing and other media London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
- Media: Advertising & marketing London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
- Reputation management London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
- Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity London > Risk advisory
- TMT London > Industry focus
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Private client > Charities and not-for-profit
- Public sector > Electoral
- Employment > Immigration
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport
Firm Rankings
- Public sector > Administrative and public law
- Public sector > Education: schools
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Theatre, publishing and other media
- Public sector > Education: institutions
- Public sector > Local government
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Advertising & marketing
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > PATMA: Trade mark attorneys
- Dispute resolution > Professional discipline
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Reputation management
- Employment > Senior executives
- Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers
- Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms
- Industry focus > TMT
- Employment > Employers
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport
- Real estate > Property finance