Defamation/Reputation Management | UK

Carter-Ruck has an eminent reputation management practice with a record of excellence in high-profile privacy and defamation actions. It assists such individuals as heads of state, businesspeople and celebrities with the full range of reputational matters, with particular skill in obtaining privacy injunctions. The firm offers advice pre and post-publication to corporations and media organisations. The team is particularly experienced in cases concerning the misuse of private information and matters relating to breaches of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Harbottle & Lewis has a superb defamation and privacy practice that is highly respected for its representation of claimants in libel actions against newspaper groups and media organisations. It has an enviable list of clients, including a number of A-listers and members of the royal family. The team is frequently successful in handling complaints before regulatory bodies and regularly involved in cases concerning breach of confidence, data protection and information law.

RPC's market-leading defendant practice offers expertise in all aspects of defamation defence from pre-trial to appeal. It acts for a host of national newspapers, broadcasters, online and print publishers, and media liability insurers. The firm is adept at advising clients on matters relating to malicious falsehood, contempt, harassment, data protection, Freedom of Information Act and copyright disputes. The team provides round-the-clock assistance, including pre-publication and injunction advisory services.

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.

Simons Muirhead Burton has an accomplished defamation practice, acting for a mix of defendant and claimant clients on libel, privacy and data protection matters. It houses a team of accomplished litigators and strategists supported by highly talented associates. The firm maintains a fine reputation for its work on behalf of major broadcasters, newspapers and other publishing clients. The team also advises NGOs, journalist bodies and trade unions in the UK and USA.

Wiggin's dynamic defendant practice is regularly instructed by magazines, newspapers and other media organisations on defamation and privacy matters. The firm is particularly noted for its expert pre-publication work and frequently sought after for its online-specific advice. The team offers industry-specific expertise in the film sector, advising a variety of film studios on reputational concerns. The firm additionally offers extensive expertise in defending interim injunction applications.

Brett Wilson's defamation and privacy practice is particularly adept at and well known for handling matters concerning online publication. The firm acts for both claimants and defendants, including individuals, institutions and corporates.

Mishcon de Reya has a highly respected reputation management practice, underpinned by established private client and family practices. It acts increasingly for corporate entities on reputation management matters in addition to its traditional high net worth clientele. The firm offers specialist expertise in all aspects of defamation, privacy and harassment, from sensitive crisis situations to high-profile libel proceedings. The team possesses considerable experience in handling cross-jurisdictional disputes. The firm is experienced in dealing with social media risks and cyber brand protection.

Payne Hicks Beach has an active reputation management department with recent involvement in a number of high-profile defamations, privacy and breach of confidence disputes. The team works closely with the firm's family and private client departments to provide a comprehensive service to high net worth individuals, corporate clients and public figures. The lawyers maintain noteworthy strengths in handling phone hacking, harassment and Data Protection Act issues for claimants.

Simkins has a flourishing reputation management practice with a range of media and entertainment stars, celebrities, other individuals and businesses among its clientele. It advises on sensitive libel matters, crisis management and responses to defamatory postings on social media and online platforms. The firm utilises additional knowledge of privacy, confidence, anti-harassment, data protection and copyright law to safeguard its clients' reputations. The team is particularly active in the pre-publication and pre-broadcast spaces.

Taylor Wessing has a respected media law department with a strong practice providing reputation management advice, particularly in relation to digital content delivery, social media and user-generated content. The firm represents high net worth individuals, well-known brands and corporations on the claimant side, and high-profile international publishers and broadcasters on the defendant side.

Thomson Heath Jenkins & Associates' strong privacy and reputation management department is celebrated not least for its involvement in the development of phone hacking claims. The firm advises on defamation matters and brings libel and data protection actions on behalf of celebrities, public figures and high net worth individuals. The team offers additional experience advising on misuse of private information and breach of confidence claims.

Withers has a strong libel and privacy offering, advising a range of clients on media law issues, sensitive reputational matters and crisis management. The firm acts for charities, high net worth individuals and corporate clients on domestic and international disputes. It offers an established focus on claimant work and increasingly advises defendant individuals in relation to the publishing of online content.

Bindmans' well-regarded claimant practice manages reputational issues for journalists, politicians, NGOs and vulnerable people, among others. The firm is also celebrated for its defence work, acting for individuals and publishers. It draws on its expertise in media, crime, employment, immigration, family and police actions to advise clients on all aspects of a reputational crisis. The team is adept at advising on privacy, information and data protection matters.

CMS's impressive defamation and privacy department draws praise for its corporate reputation management capabilities and defendant work. The firm acts for an array of corporate clients, technology companies and media entities. The team possesses particular expertise in relation to reputation management and defamation issues stemming from online articles and social media content. It is a full-service international firm proficient in crisis management.

Farrer & Co is a highly regarded firm focused on claimant work, advising high-profile individuals, schools and corporations on reputational matters including libel, injunctions, reporting restrictions, data protection and contempt of court. It also offers expertise in internet and social media issues such as harassment and online attacks. The firm supplements a strong claimant practice with a defendant service, acting for significant publications.

Lee & Thompson is an impressive media and entertainment boutique firm with significant dispute resolution capabilities, housing a number of dedicated litigators. The firm maintains a strong presence in phone hacking, defamation and privacy litigation and handles reputation management issues for a number of successful recording artists and celebrities. It also offers pre-publication clearance services to film and TV clients.

Addleshaw Goddard represents claimants in high-profile defamation and press intrusion disputes. It makes use of its international network to advise global businesses on reputation management issues, including social media and data protection matters. Recent areas of activity include 'right to be forgotten' cases and freedom of information requests. Clients include corporations and high net worth individuals.

Howard Kennedy has a defamation and reputation management practice of long standing, acting for a diverse client base of high net worth individuals and companies. It is highly regarded for its work in online media, acting in cases concerning articles published on the internet and comments on social media. The team is also expert on matters concerning blackmail, data privacy and freedom of speech.

Kingsley Napley is a dynamic defamation and privacy practice complemented by a strong crime department. The team assists a diverse roster of clients with reputational issues, including media organisations, corporates, celebrities, politicians and private individuals. The firm is experienced at handling both claimant and defendant work, with growing expertise in internet libel matters related to social media. The team increasingly advises on media issues relating to court reporting and arrests.

Osborne Clarke's growing practice represents an array of leading organisations and individuals in complex and often high-profile reputational matters. It offers particular expertise in defamation, privacy and data protection issues. The firm is also experienced in providing pre- and post-publication advice.

Penningtons Manches Cooper's defamation practice is well known for its representation of the Police Federation as well as trade unions. It has a significant privacy practice focused on the misuse of private information and data protection breaches. The firm also frequently acts for high-profile and private individuals, concerning both pre- and post-publication matters.

Russells is a leading firm in the media and entertainment sector and has substantial experience advising celebrities on defamation and reputation matters. The team is particularly renowned for its work in the music and sports industries.

Bristows's media disputes team acts for broadcasters, news media organisations and social media platforms, as well as corporate clients and high net worth individuals. Areas of expertise include defamation and libel, contentious data subject access requests, privacy and misuse of confidential information, and the 'right to be forgotten'.

Charles Russell Speechlys draws on its strength across disciplines to offer large media corporations, together with individuals, comprehensive and crucial advice in high-pressure scenarios. They have garnered recognition through their involvement in the phone hacking scandal. However their capabilities in defamation and reputation management go beyond this.

Clintons is a respected media boutique firm with a robust phone hacking practice and a venerable record in high-profile privacy cases. The firm particularly excels in harassment and misuse of private information cases. The team represents a fine choice of firm for celebrities, musicians, and other media and entertainment personalities.

Level is a small media and sports-focused firm with a prodigious concentration of talent in its media and reputation management litigation arm. Clients are individuals, organisations and executives therein working at the peak of their respective fields.

Lewis Silkin is well known for its privacy and reputation management practice, which dovetails with the firm's noted media and data protection expertise. The team has an impressive client following in entertainment, sport and online media.

Michelmores is becoming a recognised name in the defamation and reputation management arena, drawing on expertise from its private wealth practice, together with strong representation of corporates. Its lawyers are experienced in matters involving malicious falsehood, defamation, reputation management and more.

Pinsent Masons has a notable presence on account of its work on defamation, misuse of private information, 'right to be forgotten' and data protection matters on behalf of major technology companies. The firm also acts for leading multinational corporations, broadcasters and educational institutions.