Home to 'an excellent team of solicitors with exceptional knowledge of defamation and data privacy law', Carter-Ruck is distinguished for its claimant-focused work in reputation management, representing both organisations and individuals. The team excels in assisting those under investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and other regulatory bodies, and is particularly noted for its expertise in coordinating international strategic communications and legal media strategies. Practice head Nigel Tait, 'a legendary solicitor', has an impressive track record in securing public apologies, injunctions, and removals of defamatory content for his clients. Adam Tudor heads the commercial dispute resolution practice, focusing on preventing or mitigating the publication of inaccurate or defamatory material, often involving international or geopolitical elements. Claire Gill specialises in data protection rights, including the right to be forgotten under UK GDPR. Rebecca Toman is highly recommended for securing damages, apologies, and content removal across multiple jurisdictions, while Antonia Foster is noted for advising clients facing intrusive media inquiries, often leading to reduced or halted publications. Persephone Bridgman Baker works on a range of reputation management matters, boasting extensive experience in both pre-publication and post-publication issues. The 'strong, stoic and extremely trustworthy' Mathilde Groppo is also recommended for reputation management and data protection mandates.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘An outstanding team that assisted us in very complex litigation. The service was remarkably good, and we were kept updated throughout the process.’

  • 'Nigel Tait is a legendary solicitor who combines wisdom with warmth. He is destined to go down in history as one of the greatest defamation and privacy lawyers of the generation.’
  • ‘Excellent client care that is second to none. The perfect combination of very high-quality legal advice and brilliant tactical advice.'

  • ‘Carter-Ruck has an excellent team of solicitors with exceptional knowledge of defamation and data privacy law. Solid and trustworthy team that maintains extreme professionalism while still showing sensitivity to clients suffering the effects of grave libel and slander. As a female client it gives me great pleasure to see how many outstanding female solicitors they have on their team.'

  • ‘Mathilde Groppo is truly brilliant! There is excellence in her knowledge and understanding of defamation and data protection law. Strong, stoic and extremely trustworthy, she supports her clients to the end. Delivers at extreme speed.'

  • ‘From a client perspective, instructing Persephone Bridgman-Baker is like stepping into the back seat of a Rolls-Royce, but the other side gets to know pretty quickly that she can punch like Mike Tyson when required. Her drafting is beautiful, her approach always strategic and she never loses sight of the big picture.'

  • 'Rebecca Toman possesses the rare intellect and utter brilliance to construct arguments eloquently and effectively.’

  • ‘They are simply the best by a county mile. Strength in depth and superb tactical judgment. Opponents fear them.’

Key clients

  • The Rt Hon. Wendy Morton MP
  • Insanity Talent Management Limited
  • Simon Cowell
  • Amanda Abbington & Others
  • Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin
  • Len McCluskey (former General Secretary of United the Union)
  • Priya Oberoi
  • Louise Jones-Roberts (former Tory Cllr)
  • Al Jazeera Media Network
  • Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif
  • Geo TV Limited
  • Nick Brown MP
  • Middlesex County Cricket Club
  • Ken Bates
  • Kate & Gerry McCann
  • Karie Murphy, Seumas Milne, Georgina Robertson, Harry Hayball and Laura Murray
  • Zoe Harcombe and Dr Malcolm Kendrick
  • Rached Ghannouchi
  • Al-Khair Foundation and Imam Qasim

Work highlights

  • Advised Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin on a successful, unanimous Supreme Court appeal in his libel action against the Home Secretary.
  • Represented the Rt Hon Wendy Morton MP in her appeal that Sir Gavin Williamson had breached Parliament’s Bullying and Harassment Policy by sending text messages to the former Conservative Chief Whip and determined that Sir Gavin should make a “full and unreserved apology” on the floor of the House of Commons.
  • Representing actress and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Amanda Abbington in her complaint against the BBC in respect of her treatment on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing.

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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Nigel Tait

Other key lawyers

Adam Tudor, Claire Gill, Antonia Foster, Rebecca Toman, Persephone Bridgman-Baker, Mathilde Groppo, James Watkins