Reputation management, media and information litigation


Protecting your reputation and information as if it was our own. Our experts handle defamation, data misuse, privacy, confidentiality, media enquiries and connected issues for professionals, personalities, businesses and organisations.

We respond swiftly and effectively to enquiries or threats, whether from known sources or anonymously online, through strategic pre-action advice, managing rights of replies, injunctions if necessary, disclosure orders and proceedings including:

  • Defamation (libel or slander)
  • Misuse of private information
  • Breach of data protection
  • Harassment by publication

Utilising our expertise and contacts in this niche area we support clients in what is often a crisis situation, on an urgent round-the-clock basis if required. We provide strategic insights and risk-focussed guidance even in the most complex and sensitive scenarios, meaning our clients are carefully guided and can be confident in their decisions.

Our experience

Reputation management

  • In the leading case of Ajayi and Others, we succeeded in an application to defend and strike out a six figure libel and malicious falsehood claim in the specialist High Court, Media and Communications List. Costs of £2 million to trial were avoided.

  • Supported numerous sport, media and entertainment figures, public, health and educational institutions with media enquiries pre and post publication, to secure apologies, take downs, secure accurate content and avoid untruths, and where necessary, present libel and/or privacy complaints. Most of our client work remains confidential, but includes guiding international football stars James Milner and Kieran Trippier in issues reported by international media, and helping a La Liga footballer in relation to a potential libel claim pertaining to a book about him. We provide comprehensive assistance in issues involving media brands such as The Sun, The Daily Mail, ITV, the BBC (including Panorama), Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.

  • Acted for a celebrity family subjected to defamation and harassment via social media platforms, obtaining disclosure orders and implementing a protective strategy to end the distress being caused.

Information Protection

  • Helped a significant charity regarding undercover filming of a deceased resident and events preceding their death. The team provided comprehensive assistance, including Charity Commission and Information Commissioner reporting, and managing reputation issues including Panorama coverage.

  • Successfully supported a client regarding an injunction to prevent ongoing use and dissemination of HR data stolen by an employee. We represented the client through ICO processes, culminating in no further action against our client.

  • Ensured an education institution achieved a commercial resolution in a threatened claim for misuse of private information and breach of data protection legislation following a potential data breach of special category data for 400 individuals.

Did you know?

Ajayi and Others [2021] EWHC 285

In Ajayi and Others [2021] EWHC 285, we successfully struck out a six-figure libel and malicious falsehood claim, avoiding all party trial costs budgeted at £2 million.

Training

We provide regular, expert and tailored training to and develop close relationships with clients, to put them in the best position in the event of threatened litigation.

NHS Trust

We defended an NHS Trust from allegations that a staff member had breached data protection legislation and had stolen confidential worker lists.

What our clients say about us?

“You have been first class in the whole case and I'm very happy with the outcome.”

A client

“I would also like to thank you for everything you've done for us I know we all appreciate it and you certainly have done a brilliant job”

A client

“I do indeed thank you for your help. I feel that I was drawn into a matter beyond my experience. Thank you once again but I hope that I never need you again in the future!”

A client

Our clients

  • West Midlands Ambulance Service
  • James Milner 
  • Kieran Trippier
  • Martin James Foundation

Our lawyers

Our specialists advise both claimants and defendants, with strong sector expertise covering sport, media and entertainment, insurance, education, charities, health and private wealth, amongst others. Our team understands the importance of your reputation, brand and information and will help you fight to protect it, or defend claims presented against you.

Get in touch

Our team of legal experts are here to support you.
Contact one of our lawyers today.

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Our expertise

Alternative dispute resolution
Contract disputes
Dispute resolution for charities
Financial services litigation
Fraud and investigatory work
Funding legal proceedings
Injunctions
Intellectual property disputes
IT disputes
Post M&A and breach of warranty disputes
Procurement disputes
Product liability
Restrictive covenants
Shareholder disputes
Transactional support
Reputation management

Your main contact

In-house in Focus

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Related sectors & services

Charities and social enterprise Education Health and care Insurance Litigation and arbitration legal services Sport Women's sport Technology