Rupert Cowper-Coles > RPC > London, England > Lawyer Profile

RPC fields a specialised data protection and privacy offering comprising dedicated expert groups, under the overall leadership of technology practice head David Cran. Relevant disputes work is overseen by ‘able, urbane lawyer‘ Rupert Cowper-Coles. ‘Really respected figure in the industry‘ Richard Breavington helms the cybersecurity side. Jon Bartley leads on advisory issues, including transactional support. In team news, January 2024 saw the arrival of Lindsay Warwick from an in-house position at Associated Newspapers Limited; her arrival further strengthened the firm’s already-recognised capabilities in the media-related data litigation space.

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.

At the forefront of the digital content and social media markets, RPC provides assistance to leading social media platforms and products, video game publishers, digital marketplaces and content companies with the full range of legal matters. On the litigation front, the group focuses on advising defendants, including major media organisations. The team also boasts expertise in online safety issues and blockchain. Oliver Bray and Rupert Cowper-Coles jointly lead the group. Focused on the digital space, Bray assists social media platforms and brands with regulatory investigations, digital and commercial contracts, data protection and IP issues. Cowper-Coles is a leading data protection litigator and is well versed in representing technology and social media companies in complex disputes. IP expert David Cran handles class actions involving competition, consumer and data issues, while Ciara Cullen is active in both contentious and non-contentious media matters. Interactive entertainment and esports specialist Josh Charalambous is key to digital matters involving sports, esports, publishers and brands. Hettie Homewood focuses on digital and content matters, most notably regulatory and contractual work.

Regarded by clients as ‘one of the best media defence practices in town‘, RPC  is a leading firm in defamation, privacy, data protection, and media law, with a broad client base that includes national and local newspapers, broadcasters, magazines, and freelance journalists. The practice is led by Rupert Cowper-Coles, who enjoys a strong reputation for his expertise in media, content, and data protection, advising clients on freedom of expression and content liability issues. Keith Mathieson brings extensive experience, having represented major news organisations in landmark defamation and privacy cases. Alex Wilson is a trusted adviser on defamation, privacy, and data protection matters, while Alex Vakil focuses on contentious issues, including data breaches and subject access requests. The team has been further strengthened by Lindsay Warwick, who brings valuable in-house experience from a leading global news publisher, particularly in pre-publication advice and media claims.