Defamation/Privacy: London

This "first-rate set" houses an impressive number of barristers with focused expertise in defamation and privacy. Instructing solicitors comment that "the set frequently goes beyond what one would expect from chambers generally." This reputation leads to it being involved in a number of the leading matters of the day, recently including Ivereigh v Associated Newspapers, Tesco v Guardian and Mosley v News Group Newspapers Ltd. 

The set has temporarily lost the services of Desmond Browne QC, the current chairman of the Bar Council. It is, however, replete with numerous other silks of high standing. Adrienne Page QC is "developing into a star of the Bar who is a joy to work with and a wise and sensible source of advice." She has been defending the BBC against the libel claim being brought by Mohamed Taranissi. James Price QC is "particularly adept in cases requiring creative and lateral thinking." A first-rate choice for jury trials, thanks to "the style and panache that he brings," he successfully represented Max Mosley in his extremely high-profile privacy claim against News Group. Also present in that matter was Mark Warby QC, who acted for News Group. This "excellent strategist always provides incredibly clear advice" and is no stranger to the more noteworthy matters, having also defended Associated Newspapers against Austin Ivereigh's defamation claim in the past year.

Other fine silks here include Patrick Milmo QC; although not quite as active as he has been in the past, he remains a "fantastically efficient barrister with a wise head on him." He shares a set with Richard Parkes QC, who "wears his considerable intelligence and experience very lightly, displaying a splendid manner to both clients and the court." His recent work has included successfully representing Kaupthing Bank in a libel claim against a Danish newspaper and appearing in the Court of Appeal on a number of different cases.

A fine band of juniors are on hand at the set to more than back up the silks. The "astonishingly brilliant" Matthew Nicklin "always goes the extra mile whilst coming up with ingenious and creative arguments." Over the last year, he has represented Kate Winslet in a privacy claim against Grazia magazine and acted for Madonna in a privacy and copyright action against the Mail on Sunday. Justin Rushbrooke is "not afraid to get really stuck into the detail -  he’s a human computer." Solicitors favour him as he is "very clear and confident in his advice and relates well to all manner of clients." He recently represented Tesco in its widely reported libel claim against the Guardian.

David Sherborne is highly acclaimed for his defamation and privacy work. Interviewees comment: "He works very well in a team, and is an inspired pleader and a considerable advocate who combines forensic skill with great charm and tenacity." In addition, "he is extremely intelligent and has a great understanding of how matters are likely to be perceived by the court." He is currently acting for Ashley Cole in his privacy action against News Group and Mirror Group.  Adam Wolanski has "a very good sense of the commercial media objective," as well as "an ability to get his head around complex issues very quickly." He has particular expertise in contempt and reporting restrictions issues, and regularly advises on pre-publication matters.

Jacob Dean is "an extraordinarily fine barrister – he's one of the brightest, a joy to work with and someone who commands respect as an advocate." His media litigation work covers a wide range of issues, including defamation, privacy and copyright matters. Alexandra Marzec is "clearly tenacious and an incredibly slick operator – she knows what she's doing and she gets on with it." Also popular, the "astute, articulate and pragmatic" Jonathan Barnes "has a wealth of authority at his fingertips and is always totally up to speed." He has recently been defending Big Pictures in the ground-breaking privacy claim being brought by JK Rowling on behalf of her young son.

Interviewees say that William Bennett is "a precise and analytical thinker who is able to distil facts easily and quickly." He wins widespread support, as does Godwin Busuttil, who is acting for the claimant side in the JK Rowling case mentioned above. Adam Speker is "wise beyond his years, and will undoubtedly go a long way." He is noted for really going the extra mile and for being "good at turning round complicated matters and giving clear, practical advice." He recently assisted Kate Moss in her privacy claim against Big Pictures, achieving a favourable settlement. 

Victoria Jolliffe was recently involved in the Max Mosley privacy trial. Her efficient and thorough approach was once again to the fore in this case, impressing all who saw her. Others to garner praise include Anna Coppola, who "has a very realistic approach to claims and can read a case and predict the opponent's strategy very accurately." She is one of a younger band of juniors coming to prominence in the field. This group also includes Richard Munden, "a lawyer who exudes confidence and maturity" despite his relatively recent call. Solicitors report that he is "a pleasure to work with due to his enthusiasm and drive."  

This set is renowned for its depth of experience in libel, and houses some of the most talented individuals in this field. It specialises in media law, covering defamation and privacy as well as related areas such as freedom of information, data protection and reporting restrictions, and has been involved in some of the most important defamation matters of the past year. Barristers from the set are acting on both sides of the Mohamed Taranissi v BBC case, and members have also acted in Carmen May Briscoe-Mitchell v Constance Briscoe and Hodder & Stoughton as well as Austin Ivereigh v Associated Newspapers.

The set may have lost Victoria Sharp QC to the Bench but has in Andrew Caldecott QC "a quite simply outstanding advocate and tactician" who is widely regarded as the cleverest and most formidable performer at the Libel Bar. His "brilliant mind" makes him a top choice for very complex matters and he is regularly instructed in the most high-profile cases, having recently, for example, defended the Guardian against Tesco's libel claims. Richard Rampton QC gets his fair share of the plum work too. This "absolute gentleman" is "consistently excellent in the advice he provides." Solicitors affirm that "he is not intimidated or fazed by any circumstances he faces and is renowned for his ability to deal with large, document-heavy, complex actions." He is currently representing Mohamed Taranissi in his libel claim against the BBC. As well as possessing "attention to detail and thoroughness that are legendary," Stephen Suttle QC "also displays fierce commitment to his client's case." His practice encompasses the full range of media law, as well as related human rights matters.

Among the juniors, Manuel Barca is "a pugnacious and skilled advocate who exercises excellent judgement." He takes a "calm and logical approach whilst always retaining a sense of humour," and has been defending the BBC in the libel action brought by Mohamed Taranissi. Like Barca, Catrin Evans "has an enviable reputation and is highly respected by claimants and defendants alike." She possesses "an excellent ability to focus on the key issues in her cases," and has recently worked with Andrew Caldecott QC in defending the Guardian against the libel claims brought by Tesco.

Jane Phillips is appreciated for her pragmatism and experience, and for her "ability to see the key issues immediately." One interviewee commented: "I find her easy to discuss ideas or strategies with, and she gets on with clients very well." The bulk of her practice is made up of acting for claimants, although she does also undertake defendant work. Aidan Eardley is another firm favourite with instructing solicitors, who agree that he is "a rising star in the privacy and defamation field as he is incredibly user-friendly, an excellent pleader, and he gets things down beautifully in writing." Harvey Starte, meanwhile, is also making waves as he offers advice that is "always clear, pragmatic and full of common sense." His recent work has included representing the family of a man who committed suicide whilst on holiday, in a privacy and libel claim against the Mirror Group.

As "an essential part of the team throughout the progress of a case," Caroline Addy is viewed by clients as "fantastically bright, and someone who really gets involved with the detail of a dispute." She recently acted as junior counsel for Frank Warren in his libel claims against Ray Hatton and the BBC. Joanne Cash is "dependable and assured – she's a formidable barrister with a superb grasp of media law and a very sharp mind." One client commented: "I'm a big fan because we've got some very good results with her." Ian Helme is "a bright, promising junior with good attention to detail," whilst Timothy Atkinson receives praise for his ability to "be tough in a polite way, and to remain quietly persistent."

David Glen "seems indestructible. He shows total commitment and a huge capacity to absorb infromation." His practice covers the breadth of media and information law, and he has been acting as junior counsel to the BBC in the Taranissi case. He gains plaudits along with the "proactive and impressive" Sarah Palin, who is "very balanced and able to take things in her stride without being fazed by unexpected things happening." Her noteworthy work has included acting as junior counsel in a successful reporting restrictions judicial review brought by Paul Dacre and Associated Newspapers against Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Finally here, Kate Wilson "brings a greater maturity than one would expect for her call." She "impresses due to the level of her skill and her total thoroughness."

Clients of this set appreciate the breadth of its abilities: "It brings an added dimension to the defamation and privacy work because of its broader experience." The media and defamation team is able to provide advice and representation across a wide range of issues, acting for both claimants and defendants domestically and in European courts.

The set has recently lost Andrew Nicol QC to the Bench, but it continues to house a number of talented and highly sought-after practitioners, such as Gavin Millar QC, who is "an innovative thinker and a polished performer on his feet" before the court. "If people have a difficult point that they want a careful answer on, he's someone that they trust." He represented the News of the World in the privacy action brought by Max Mosley, and also acted for the Guardian in libel proceedings brought by Elton John. A "colossus of the libel field," Heather Rogers QC "understands media issues inside out and backwards and is able to take both an analytical and an academic approach to all matters." Clients know that "she is totally reliable, as regards both her advice and the quality of her advocacy." Her media law practice covers a range of matters from defamation and privacy to reporting restrictions, freedom of information and judicial reviews. She continues to defend Times Newspapers against the ongoing libel action being brought by Lance Armstrong.

Anthony Hudson "brings insight and a sound strategic viewpoint as well as knowledge of the law and careful pleading." In particular, clients identify "his advocacy skills as his standout feature," as well as his "innate ability to see the overall picture extremely well." In addition to acting in numerous defamation and privacy cases for clients including News Group, Mirror Group and Associated Newspapers, he is also able to provide expertise on reporting restriction matters. Guy Vassall-Adams is "exceptionally helpful and responsive – he works collaboratively and offers impressive, creative solutions." Of late, he has been involved in a number of high-profile judicial reviews involving the media. By way of example, he acted for a former MI5 officer in a judicial review of the service's decision to prevent the officer's memoirs from being published.

Clients describe this as a "commercially aware set which adopts a team approach rather than a barrister-centric one." It has enjoyed a number of successes in high-profile defamation cases over the last year, such as the Dr Austen Ivereigh v Associated Newspapers retrial.

Ronald Thwaites QC is "the dragon slayer in chief – he is the man that you want leading the charge against the fiercest of opponents." He is particularly singled out for his jury advocacy – "you'd go to him if you had a trial that you wanted to win." He has recently secured £75,000 damages for Eastenders actor Mo George following false claims being printed about him in The Sun. Further confirming his excellence in a courtroom setting, he also successfully defended Harper Collins and author Tom Bower in a trial brought by Richard Desmond, proprietor of Express Newspapers. Thwaites and William McCormick represented Elton John in his libel claim against the Guardian. According to interviewees, McCormick "has a lovely style – he's calm, he's measured, he's clearly bright and he gets good results for clients." He is also currently acting for a well-known actress in a matter involving false reporting.

John Samson assisted Ronald Thwaites QC in the Mo George claim mentioned above. Clients appreciate that "he absolutely devotes his all to the case," whilst offering "tactical thinking and a strong understanding of the practice area" thanks to his background working in media production.

Offering "tremendous depth and a fine all-round perspective," this set continues to receive instructions in numerous cases of note involving issues such as defamation, privacy, reporting restrictions, confidentiality, contempt, data protection and Internet publication. Its impressive client base includes individuals such as Ashley Cole, the Prince of Wales, the Beckhams and Roman Polanski, as well as a range of newspapers and broadcasters.

Hugh Tomlinson QC is "right on the money for privacy actions" thanks to his "exceptionally strong intellect." "Extremely approachable and flexible," he has a broad knowledge that extends beyond libel and privacy. Currently, he is representing the claimants in Gentoo Group Ltd v Finn, a matter concerning an Internet libel and harassment claim. Fellow silk Antony White QC is "incisive, imaginative and enormously hard-working." He recently acted on behalf of the media in the McKennitt v Ash privacy case, and has a practice that covers defamation, privacy and breach of confidence matters.

Lorna Skinner "has a wonderful facility with the law allied to great good common sense." A "terrier-like cross-examiner," she possesses an excellent eye for detail. She recently successfully acted for the claimant in the UK's first Facebook-related libel trial, securing £22,000 in damages.