Rupert Cowper-Coles
Partner
Rupert Cowper-Coles is an experienced litigator specialising in media and data disputes. Rupert defends a wide range of publishers and data controllers, including media organisations, online platforms, broadcasters, NGOs, book publishers, freelance journalists and charities.
He is an expert in defamation, data protection and privacy law as well as other media and information rights, including malicious falsehood, harassment and freedom of information.
He is well-versed in advising clients both pre and post publication and, where disputes cannot be resolved consensually, representing their interests before regulators and the courts.
Rupert has experience in litigating complex and developing areas of law, including interim non-disclosure injunctions, foreign jurisdiction issues, intermediary and website host liability, and the exercise of GDPR data rights.
Rupert writes regularly about media law issues and is published in The Lawyer and The Law Society Gazette.
Relevant work
- Napag Trading & ors. v GEDI Gruppo Editoriale S.p.A. & anor. [2020] EWHC 3034
- (1) BBC (2) PA Media v (1) Secretary of State for Transport (2) British Airline Pilots Association [2019] EWHC 192
- Caine v (1) Advertiser and Times Ltd (2) Curry [2019] EWHC 39 QB
- Irina Bokova v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2018] EWHC 2032 (QB)
- Charlotte and Aidan Mezvinsky (acting by Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky) v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2018] EWHC 1261
- Optical Express Ltd & ors. v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2017] EWHC 2707 (QB)
- Bukovsky v Crown Prosecution Service [2016] EWHC 1926 (QB)
- Ahuja v Politika Novine I Magazini [2015] EWHC 3380
Directory quotes
Up and Coming – Chambers UK 2022
Rupert Cowper-Coles is noted for his experience advising media outlets on a range of matters relating to defamation, privacy and data protection. He represents both traditional media clients such as national newspapers, as well as digital media platforms. - Chambers UK 2022
"He is incredibly thorough, astute, and clients like him." - Chambers UK 2022
"He's fantastic - really good to deal with and knows the law." - Chambers UK 2021
"Rupert Cowper-Coles is committed to serving clients' interests and has good attention to detail." - Chambers UK 2021
"He's very understated, thoughtful and very easy to get on with." - Chambers UK 2021
Rising Star - The Legal 500 UK 2021
'Rupert Cowper-Coles is a hugely impressive senior associate with notable litigation experience and impeccable judgment. He has a fantastic eye for the sort of detail which wins or loses cases and will surely be a top-flight partner in years to come' - Legal 500 2020
'Rupert Cowper-Coles 'does an amazing job' at handling high-profile defamation cases including privacy and misuse of private information claims'. – The Legal 500 UK 2020
Rising Star - The Legal 500 UK 2020
Rupert Cowper-Coles specialises in harassment, defamation and privacy cases. Sources say: "He is just incredibly competent. He is very passionate about the law and is very personable." - Chambers UK 2019
"He's a pleasure to work with. He's a really good, analytical lawyer who is charming, good with clients and excellent under pressure." - Chambers UK 2018
"Exceedingly client-focused." - TheLegal 500 UK 2016
Listed as one of three "Rising Stars" - Spear's Reputation Management Index 2016