Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Defamation/Privacy - All Circuits

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Praised as having "a reputation for excellence", Matrix Chambers houses many of the Bar’s most highly esteemed defamation and privacy barristers. Members are highly experienced in disputes concerning privacy injunctions, freedom of expression, misuse of private information and libel claims. They have notable expertise covering questions of liability for information published on social media or online. Barristers from the set have recently appeared in such leading cases as Prismal v Google UK and Deep Mind Technologies.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

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Antony White
Star Individuals

Antony White KC is an eminent media silk who is held in high regard for his knowledge of defamation law and the DPA. He is highlighted by instructing solicitors for his strong advocacy skills. He is skilled in handling matters involving social media and right to be forgotten cases.

He is a good judge of the tribunal and the judge's mind.

He is so wise and so calm, you just feel like you are absolutely in the right hands.

Hugh Tomlinson
Star Individuals

Hugh Tomlinson KC is widely regarded as a top-flight privacy silk who has been at the forefront of developments in the law in this area. He is highly active in cases involving reporting restrictions and is frequently called upon to assist with emergency injunctions.

Hugh is preeminent in this area of law.

1
Ben Silverstone
1
Band 1

Ben Silverstone is a highly impressive barrister with a broad practice covering the full ambit of media law. He frequently appears in high-profile defamation and data protection cases.

Ben Silverstone is phenomenal. He is a Trojan about the work he can get through and the number of issues he can get through.

Ben is very quick and precise with his written work.

Ben's arguments are always completely spot on.

1
Catrin Evans
1
Band 1

Catrin Evans KC possesses a phenomenal reputation at the Defamation Bar and is frequently a top choice among instructing solicitors for sensitive libel and DPA claims. She acts for and against high-profile individuals, as well as major publishers and broadcasters. She has substantial experience of handling privacy claims with an international angle.

Catrin is very user-friendly, very engaged and she has nice style in court where she manages the bench nicely.

Catrin is willing and able to make very difficult calls in complex cases.

1
Gavin Millar
1
Band 1

Gavin Millar KC is often the media's first port of call for their most sensitive and important cases. He has wide-ranging expertise in freedom of the press, reporting restrictions and contempt cases, and acts for all the major newspaper groups and their journalists.

Gavin is excellent for his knowledge of civil and criminal law.

1
Ian Helme
1
Band 1

Ian Helme is a hugely experienced defamation and privacy barrister who is particularly well regarded for his representation of clients in data protection and freedom of information matters. He frequently represents clients against a variety of media outlets.

Excellent, clever and very diligent.

Ian is very astute, a great draftsman and very smooth in court.

2
Lorna Skinner
2
Band 2

Lorna Skinner KC is a leading media and information law barrister who enjoys a strong reputation in the fields of defamation, misuse of private information and data protection. She possesses formidable experience across a wide variety of prominent media cases and appeals.

Lorna is incredible, she gets to nub of the matter and speaks with absolute clarity.

2
Sara Mansoori
2
Band 2

Sara Mansoori KC is an impressive media law barrister specialising in privacy, defamation, information and data protection law. She is experienced in phone-hacking claims and regularly acts for claimants including celebrities and others in the public eye. She has notable expertise covering claims concerning statements made on social media, in addition to those brought against traditional media defendants.

She is absolutely brilliant, one of the best legal minds you will ever have the privilege to work alongside.

Highly sought after and she brings very authoritative advice.

3
Aidan Wills
3
Band 3

Aidan Wills offers expertise covering an array of defamation and privacy matters, acting for both claimants and defendants. He has notable experience spanning traditional libel claims and more novel aspects of information and privacy law, such as the right to be forgotten.

3
Anthony Hudson KC
3
Band 3

Anthony Hudson KC offers expertise across the gamut of media law, including harassment, data protection and libel claims. He frequently represents large companies in complex data protection matters, with particular expertise on hacking matters.

Anthony works phenomenally hard and does a great job in the hearings.

3
Guy Vassall-Adams
3
Band 3

Guy Vassall-Adams KC is a media and information law specialist who has a strong track record of success in high-profile media claims involving press intrusion and defamation.

Guy is extremely knowledgeable and experienced in his field. He is clearly an expert at what he does and is very thorough in his analysis and the advice that he provides.

Guy has been really impressive and is a wise head, he has good an instinct of where the court is likely to land on a particular issue.

4
Clare Wisson
4
Band 4

Clare Wisson has a strong defamation practice, typically acting for defendant media organisations. She is notably experienced in cases concerning phone hacking, cyber attacks and other related issues.

4
Kirsten Sjøvoll
4
Band 4

Kirsten Sjøvoll is a well-known barrister in the defamation and privacy field, who is instructed by both claimants and defendants in various matters including libel, malicious falsehood and data protection claims.

Kirsten is clearly very knowledgeable and she can be quite straight-talking in the way she delivers her advice.

4
Zoe McCallum
4
Band 4

Zoe McCallum has an impressive defamation practice in which she has been instructed for several leading media organisations. She has appeared in widely reported cases such as Vardy v Rooney and HRH Duke of Sussex v News Group Newspapers.

Zoe's drafting skills are excellent

Zoe can grapple with vast amounts of material and cross jurisdictional issues.

Zoe doesn't pull any punches when the circumstances are required.

Edward Craven
Edward Craven
New Silks

Edward Craven KC has established an enviable reputation in the field of libel and privacy. He has a wealth of experience in phone-hacking claims and is frequently instructed in a variety of other media disputes.

Edward is very quick and precise with his written work.

Great with clients and has tremendous strategic judgement in the most difficult and complex of matters.

Ranked Barristers at
Matrix Chambers

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

All Circuits

Defamation/Privacy

Antony White KC
Star Individuals
Hugh Tomlinson KC
Star Individuals
1
Catrin Evans KC
1
Band 1
1
Gavin Millar KC
1
Band 1
2
Lorna Skinner KC
2
Band 2
2
Sara Mansoori KC
2
Band 2
3
Anthony Hudson KC
3
Band 3
3
Guy Vassall-Adams KC
3
Band 3
Edward Craven KC
Edward Craven KC
New Silks

Juniors

All Circuits

Defamation/Privacy

1
Ben Silverstone
1
Band 1
1
Ian Helme
1
Band 1
3
Aidan Wills
3
Band 3
4
Clare Wisson
4
Band 4
4
Kirsten Sjøvoll
4
Band 4
4
Zoe McCallum
4
Band 4