
About
Provided by Carson McDowell
Carson McDowell’s Media, Communications and Reputation team is recognised as Northern Ireland’s leading Media Litigation practice, with an unrivalled track record of defending publishers, websites, broadcasters and journalists.
Retained by numerous local, regional, London and Dublin based news publishers operating in Northern Ireland, and a significant number of US-headquartered social media platforms, the team handles the full spectrum of media and content disputes.
Recent defendant work includes acting for Mediahuis UK to successfully resist an emergency injunction application in Matthews v Mediahuis UK, acting for The Daily Telegraph, The Sun and The Daily Mail in Sterritt v Telegraph Media Group & Ors, and acting for a number of US social media platforms in a variety of Northern Irish criminal and civil proceedings.
Whilst selective in its claimant work, the team has also recently secured a public apology, damages and costs from a national union on behalf of a prominent CEO, and public apologies, damages and costs from a number of individuals on behalf of a large UK construction and property company.
Multi-disciplinary Chambers Band 1 ranked Partner Declan Magee, and Defamation and Reputation Management Star Associate, Fergal McGoldrick, are the key team contacts.
Chambers Review
Carson McDowell has a superb defamation practice focused on media defence. The firm acts for a number of leading Northern Ireland publications, as well as broadcasters, social media providers, high net worth individuals and politicians. It also provides comprehensive brand management advisory and pre-publication services, and is noted for its work challenging reporting restrictions and anonymity orders.
Work Highlights
- Carson McDowell acted for Mediahuis in defence of an application for an emergency interim injunction brought by Joanne Cassidy.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They were impressive at all times."
"They are very efficient and diligent, and always quick to respond and offer advice."
"They were fantastic in how they explained and dealt with highly complex issues around how to structure a defence."
"They were impressive at all times."
"They are very efficient and diligent, and always quick to respond and offer advice."
"They were fantastic in how they explained and dealt with highly complex issues around how to structure a defence."
Notable Practitioners

Fergal McGoldrick is well regarded for his considerable expertise in advising clients in the media industry on a wide range of matters relating to libel, privacy and data protection. He acts for local and national media companies.
"Fergal McGoldrick is very thorough and demonstrates expertise in his field. His advice is always worth listening to."
"Fergal was fantastic to deal with, very reassuring in how he dealt with his client, and his breadth of knowledge was evident to see."
Ranked Lawyers at
Carson McDowell
Northern Ireland
Clients
Provided by Carson McDowell
Alpha Group
Associated Newspapers
BBC NI
Bauer Media Group
Below the Radar
Facebook (Ireland) Ltd
Facebook Inc
Fine Point Films
Firmus Energy
HBO
INM Plc
Independent News and Media (NI)
Irish News
News Corporation UK and Ireland
RTE
Ronin Films
Sunday Newspapers Limited trading as Sunday World
The Detail.tv
Twitter International Company
Twitter, Inc
Wordpress.com
Industries
Provided by Carson McDowell
Advertising
Authors
Bloggers
Broadcast
Communications
Corporates
Documentary
Entertainment
Film
Filming
Internet Giants
Media
Newspaper
Programming
Radio
Script writers
TV
Technology
Telecommunications
Theatre
Websites
Websites