Defamation and privacy

5RB

A pre-eminent set for media and communications law, 5RB members are regularly instructed on complex cases concerning defamation, privacy, data protection, harassment, media regulation and human rights. Adrienne Page KC, leading Ben Gallop, successfully represented the news publisher in Sir James Dyson v MGN Limited, with the inventor losing his libel claim following comments by a Mirror columnist criticising his championing of Brexit before relocating his global head office to Singapore. Jane Phillips acts for the defendant in Karsten v Dunhill-Turner, a harassment by publication claim before the High Court brought against an heir to the Dunhill family by his former business partner. In Clarke v Guardian News and Media Ltd, Adam Speker KC representing the claimant, and Alexandra Marzec and Gallop representing the defendant, in actor Noel Clarke in a high-profile libel action concerning allegations of sexual harassment. Justin Rushbrooke KC, Adam Wolanski KC and Clara Hamer successfully defended a harassment claim, including by media publication and speech, brought against the former King of Spain Juan Carlos I, with the High Court deciding the English Court had no jurisdiction to hear the claim.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Attentive, readily available and easy to deal with. Antony Braeger is friendly, hard-working and extremely knowledgeable.'
'They were very responsive, dealt with issues promptly. Good outfit.'
'5RB are the best of the best in media and communications law.'
'Barristers tend to be excellent in this area of law'
'5RB is the leading media law set.'
'5RB are fantastic.'

Silks

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.

'Aidan has extensive knowledge of media law and practice.'

Tom Blackburn SC

5RB

‘Tom is hugely experienced. He has a very refined legal mind and a range of legal experience well outside the traditional practitioner in media and communications law.’

Juniors

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.

‘In many ways the perfect junior – incredibly smart and diligent, with a hugely impressive eye for detail. Others cannot think of another junior they would rather have on the team for a trial.’

Richard Munden

5RB

Jonathan Scherbel-Ball

5RB

'Jonathan is an expert on defamation and privacy law and has an extensive practice in London and Belfast. He is extremely sharp on the law and a master tactician. Wonderful to work with.'

‘Ben is tremendous on his feet in court and forensic in his approach. A true rising star.’

Ben Hamer

5RB

'Ben is excellent at drafting. He is technically very proficient and great at detail. He is easy to work with and is swiftly developing his strategic skills.'

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.

‘Hope is a brilliant barrister. She is highly intelligent, extremely hardworking and a real team player. She has already become one of the most sought after juniors in the field, and is unquestionably a future star of the Bar.’

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