Department profile
Schillings

Defamation/Reputation Management

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide


Schillings

Rankings

About

Provided by Schillings

Schillings is a high-stakes litigation powerhouse specialising in defamation and privacy law. Over the past 40 years, our lawyers have led on landmark cases that have shaped UK law and set precedents. We act for global businesses and highly successful individuals, increasingly advising on complex cross-border issues that impact clients’ reputation, privacy and security.

Schillings has the largest team of defamation and privacy lawyers in the world. We are first movers in generative AI litigation, claims against compliance databases and are leaders in tackling misinformation and disinformation. We regularly take on Big Tech, especially in relation to content disputes.

We are trusted to resolve complex matters involving privacy breaches, reputation threats, defamation, blackmail, harassment, and data misuse. Our specialist lawyers provide clients with pre and post publication advice where untrue or intrusive allegations are made, whether in the traditional press, in tv or radio broadcast or online, including social media. Acting exclusively for claimants, we have a strong track record of securing removals, corrections, and landmark apologies in response to disinformation and untrue, intrusive or defamatory content.

Our legal strategies are informed by world-class intelligence and delivered in collaboration with in-house investigators, communications advisors, and security experts—providing real-time data, forensic analysis, and strategic insight to strengthen every case.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Defamation/Reputation Management - UK-wide

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Schillings has a highly respected claimant practice, offering long-standing expertise in defamation and privacy along with a variety of other innovative reputation management services. The firm acts for high-profile media and entertainment stars, large corporates and other high net worth individuals. Additional risk consulting, cybersecurity and intelligence-gathering capabilities allow the firm to advise on the full ambit of reputational issues that clients face.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Schillings represented Giovanni Pernice in an internal investigation initiated following a complaint made by an individual with whom he had worked, resulting in the client being cleared in the majority of the allegations against him while maintaining his privacy.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Schillings are excellent at media wars.

    Defamation/Reputation Management respondentUK
  • A team that is able to cope with large scale litigation.

    Defamation/Reputation Management respondentUK
  • Top of the tree.

    Defamation/Reputation Management respondentUK
  • Truly exceptional - always on top of the issues and very communicative.

    Defamation/Reputation Management respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleKeith Schilling
    Senior StatespeopleKeith Schilling

    Keith Schilling

    Keith Schilling is founder of the firm and senior partner who is highly regarded in reputation and privacy law. He possesses extensive experience acting for high-profile individuals in significant libel proceedings.

    • Keith is an extremely shrewd litigator with very good judgment.

      Defamation/Reputation Management respondentUK
  • Band 1Jenny Afia
    Band 1Jenny Afia

    Jenny Afia

    Jenny Afia is a partner and leads Schillings' entertainment practice. She acts for high net worth individuals across a range of industry sectors on reputation management issues. She is noted for her experience advising on both pre- and post-publication concerns.

    • Jenny will fight to the death for her client, she is just the most committed person to have on your side and an absolute delight to work with.

      Defamation/Reputation Management respondentUK
  • Band 2Rachel Atkins
    Band 2Rachel Atkins

    Rachel Atkins

    Rachel Atkins is well regarded for her experience handling a wide range of reputation management and privacy matters. She frequently acts on behalf of high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs and family businesses.

    • Rachel is really bright, hardworking and clients really like her.

      Defamation/Reputation Management respondentUK
  • Band 6Rod Christie-Miller
    Band 6Rod Christie-Miller

    Rod Christie-Miller

    Rod Christie-Miller is a partner in the firm, recognised for advising a wide range of high-profile clients on an array of substantial defamation and privacy matters. He is also the executive chairman of Schillings.

  • Up and ComingJoelle Rich
    Up and ComingJoelle Rich

    Joelle Rich

    Joelle Rich is a partner in the firm. She credited for her excellent work on international reputation management matters. She is particularly noted for her representation of those in the public eye and privacy expertise.

    • Joelle is very, very good, both in terms of client- handling skills and legal knowledge.

      Defamation/Reputation Management respondentUK
  • Star AssociatesLouise Prince
    Star AssociatesLouise Prince

    Louise Prince

    Louise Prince is a well-regarded senior associate recognised for her skill advising on defamation and reputation management matters. She is particularly noted for her expertise in relation to privacy issues.

Ranked Individuals at Schillings (6)

UK-wide

Members

Provided by Schillings

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