Defamation and Privacy
Living in the public eye can carry a significant burden. Whether you seek the limelight or prefer an amount of privacy, journalists searching for drama can permanently harm your reputation. But contrary to popular belief this area of the law is not restricted to 'celebrities'. The same dangers apply to private individuals who find themselves being attacked by jealous or malicious 'friends' or, commonly, colleagues. They apply equally to companies spanning every industry – especially those who provide services to the consumer – and the reputational loss in these instances can be more severe.
Our Defamation and Privacy Team assists companies spanning a wide range of industries and individuals from all walks of life – from individuals in the film, television, music and fashion industries to royalty, politicians, senior business professionals and entrepreneurs.
Our lawyers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – acting quickly if defamatory material has been, or is about to be, published against you. We can secure emergency injunctions against publishers, negotiate settlements or advise on the best course of action if your privacy or confidence has been breached.
If disputes cannot be settled through negotiation, our litigators will represent your interests in Court. We tenaciously defend the reputations and rights of our clients and, where possible, seek financially favourable settlements.
Our expertise covers:
For further information about our services or to discuss a particular matter or situation, please contact James Libson on +44 (0)20 7440 7132 or by email.
Work Highlights
Although most of our work is, and will remain, discreet, our team has acted on the following:
- For a very well known consumer company in relation to an intended broadcast by the BBC.
- Ongoing advice to two of the world's largest publishers on all defamation and confidence issues including claims made against them and the potential risks of printing certain material.
- Representing a multinational organisation in defending its reputation which was being affected by rumours spread by industry peers.
- Representing several supermodels in a number of issues including the destruction of unflattering pictures taken at a beach.
- Representing Deborah Lipstadt when she was sued by David Irving (dubbed as “The Case of the Century” by the media) having branded him a holocaust denier. Deborah won the case.
- Acting for a well known entrepreneur in successful defence of a privacy injunction by ex husband.
- Acting for a leading health expert in defending various attacks made by the press and industry 'peers'.