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Defamation and privacy

Top ranked by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 for our defamation and privacy work, RPC consistently delivers results for our clients at national and local newspapers, broadcasters, publishers and new media companies.

Described by the Legal 500 as "the pre-eminent defendant practice" we have been involved in some of the highest profile defamation and privacy cases in recent times. Frequently working for multiple newspapers and publishers, we are well-equipped and confident in taking on the largest of cases from the High Court to Strasbourg.

The Media Group is highly experience at tackling defamation and privacy actions, both after proceedings have been served and when injunctions are threatened. We have genuine in-depth sector knowledge and regularly provide articles and comment to the national and trade press.

With the proliferation of online content, the team are dealing increasingly with defamation and privacy in the context of new media and online publication and are adept at handling the issues that arise in this sphere.

  • "The group is very well put together to provide clients with the optimum skills and support." - Chambers UK 2010
  • "a leading defendant defamation practice" - The Legal 500, 2009 edition
  • "This is an experienced team that's prepared to take risks in the interests of its clientele and this is what makes it a leader" Chambers UK, 2009
  • "The firm is distinguished by its international reach in areas such as defamation, reputation management and privacy" - Chambers UK 2009
  • "this outfit has 'fantastic depth and breadth, good resources and brilliant client service'" - Chambers UK 2009
  • "singled out for the "terrific associates coming through the ranks" - Chambers UK 2009
  • "Reynolds Porter Chamberlain is renowned for its state-of-the-art defamation work" - Chambers UK 2008

Examples of relevant work include:

  • Robert Murat and others v Associated Newspapers, Express Newspapers, MGN and News Group Newspapers and Tapas 7 v Express Newspapers - acting for multiple publishers in an action regarding allegations published in the course of the investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann
  • Polanski v Vanity Fair - acting for a magazine in high-profile libel which went to House of Lords on the issue of video evidence
  • Robert Dee v Reuters, Express Newspapers, Independent News and Media, Associated Newspapers Ltd - acting for multiple publishers in relation to stories published about a professional tennis player
  • Ivereigh v Associated Newspapers - instructed by Associated Newspapers to defend the first retrial of a libel action in recent times
  • Lord Brown v Associated Newspapers - securing the first victory by a newspaper in a privacy case in recent times

For more information please contact Jaron Lewis (jaron.lewis@rpc.co.uk) or Keith Mathieson (keith.mathieson@rpc.co.uk)