About

Legal team size: 25

What are the most important transactions, litigations or other major projects that you have been involved in during the last year?

The successful defence of the libel claim brought against The Sun by Johnny Depp. A huge victory for journalism in an ever more difficult legal space. We gave advice on legal issues around the publication of The Sun‘s Matt Hancock story which led to his resignation, and also seeking leave from the Supreme Court to appeal the Court of Appeal decision overturning a decision in our favour at the Upper Tier Tribunal regarding VAT on digital editions of The Times and The Sunday Times. We assert that the digital edition of the titles should be subject to the same zero-rated VAT treatment as the printed edition. A decision is pending. Also, we were involved in the submissions and evidence to the CMA to assist their market study into the digital advertising market and the role of the technology platforms, and an application to the Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport to remove undertakings and conditions imposed in 1981 on The Times and The Sunday Times requiring publication of both titles as separate titles and imposing conditions on editorial independence to be overseen by government. We have also managed of long running litigation arising from historical allegations of phone hacking and unlawful information gathering alleged against News Group Newspapers, and launched Times Radio and talkRADIO TV.

There have been a number of legislative changes in response to Covid-19. Have these benefited your company or had any other interesting effects?

We took an early decision not to enter the furlough scheme. The extra time allowed for the IR35 change was helpful.

What were the main difficulties your company faced during the initial Covid-19 lockdown?

Our newspapers both online and printed and our broadcasters were required to play a crucial role during lockdown in providing information, analysis and entertainment to the public. The initial lockdown required a complete review of working practices. Our printing presses continued throughout. Staff were required in the office to produce the titles and continue broadcasting but without creating a risk of infection. The move to home working for those not required in the office created pressure on IT and on management oversight. We established gold and silver groups comprising representatives from across the business with regular meetings scheduled. It was a huge task but was successfully delivered.

Did the Brexit deal reached at the end of 2020 give you and your business greater clarity for the future?

The outlook remains unclear. Data issues still require clarity and work.

Are there any other of your achievements over the past 18 months that you’d like to mention?

Our legal team has played a leading role in the drive for greater diversity and inclusion across the business. Members of the team have been in involved in mentoring schemes. We introduced the Charity Board Leadership Programme to the business with the aim of increasing, though training, broader and diverse representation on charity boards. We have established a link with the Peckham Academy delivering regular careers advice and “spotlight sessions” with a view to encouraging the students to believe in the possibility of a career in the media or law and help them on the path. The culmination of the sessions was a full day’s workshop at the academy to introduce them to different facets of newspaper production. The work continues apace.