Clara Hamer

Clara Hamer

Clara specialises in all areas of media, communications and information law.

Clara is listed as a Leading Junior in the Legal 500 and in Chambers and Partners for Defamation, Privacy and Data Protection. She won the Media and the Arts Junior of the Year award at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2022, and was also shortlisted in 2021 for Media, Defamation, Privacy and Data Protection Junior of the Year by the Chambers UK Bar Awards.

Clara has appeared in a range of courts and tribunals including the Supreme Court (ZXC v Bloomberg LP [2022] UKSC 5), the Court of Appeal (including unled in Hinduja v Hinduja [2022] EWCA Civ 1492), and the High Court (including Johnny Depp v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2020] EWHC 2911 (QB)). She has experience of trials and injunctions.

RECENT WORK

Defamation

  • Rebekah Vardy v Coleen Rooney [2022] EWHC 1209 (QB): for the Sun in successfully relying on the protection of journalistic sources in section 10 Contempt of Court Act 1981 and article 10 ECHR in a third party disclosure application (led by Adam Wolanski KC);
  • Johnny Depp v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2020] EWHC 2911 (QB) and [2021] EWCA Civ 423: for the Sun in successfully defending the “wife beater” libel claim brought by Johnny Depp (led at trial and in the Court of Appeal by Sasha Wass KC and Adam Wolanski KC);
  • Caine v Facebook Ireland Limited [2021] EWHC 2264 (QB): for Facebook in applications for civil restraint orders, and Caine v Advertiser and Times Ltd [2019] EWHC 39 (QB) and [2019] EWHC 2278 (QB) for the defendant newspaper and its directors in related libel and malicious falsehood claims;
  • Public Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Co. v HarperCollins Publishers Ltd [2021] EWHC 3141 (QB): for the claimant in trial of meaning/opinion as a preliminary issue (led by Desmond Browne CBE KC);
  • Ward v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2020] EWHC 2797 (QB) and [2021] EWHC 641 (QB): for the Mail on Sunday in claim for libel and malicious falsehood (led by Catrin Evans KC and Andrew Caldecott KC);
  • Brown v Bower; Faber & Faber: for historian Tom Bower and Faber & Faber publisher in libel claim brought by Nick Brown MP (led by Andrew Caldecott KC);
  • Homer v Hollingsworth: for the claimant in a slander action;
  • Miah v BBC [2018] EWHC 206 (QB), [2018] EWHC 1054 (QB): for the BBC in libel, privacy, and data protection claim (led by Catrin Evans KC);
  • Kozbar v Telegraph Media Group Ltd [2017] 12 WLUK 232: for the Telegraph in preliminary determination of meaning (led by David Price KC);
  • May v Times Newspapers Ltd; News UK and Ireland Ltd: for the Sunday Times in summary judgment / strike out application of libel claim;
  • Wild v Valentine: harassment injunction to restrain defamatory online statements;
  • Ryanair v Channel 4 Television Corp: for Channel 4 working on disclosure and journalistic source protection issues in libel claim in the Republic of Ireland;
  • Rowland v Mitchell: work on ‘Plebgate’ case for the claimant police officer against Andrew Mitchell MP (led by Desmond Browne CBE KC and Catrin Evans KC).

Privacy/Confidence/Data Protection

  • ZXC v Bloomberg LP [2019] EWHC 970 (QB), [2020] EWCA Civ 611 and [2022] UKSC 5: for Bloomberg in trial of privacy/confidence and data protection claim over an article about a fraud, bribery and corruption investigation into the claimant at a time when he had not been charged with any offence (led at trial by Gavin Millar KC and on appeal to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court by Antony White KC);
  • Lownie v University of Southampton; Cabinet Office: for the claimant in data protection Subject Access Request claim and FOIA case to access archival material relating to the late Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma;
  • XKF v BBC [2018] EWHC 1560 (QB): for the BBC in interim privacy injunction to restrain Panorama from revealing the claimant’s spent convictions (led by Andrew Caldecott KC);
  • Miah v BBC [2018] EWHC 206 (QB), [2018] EWHC 1054 (QB): for the BBC in libel, privacy, and data protection claim (led by Catrin Evans KC);
  • Dyer v News Group Newspapers Ltd: for the Sun in privacy and data protection claim brought by Danny Dyer;
  • Demouh v Times Newspapers Ltd: for the Sunday Times in privacy and data protection claim over an article about benefit cuts (led by Catrin Evans KC);
  • Kutcher v Associated Newspapers Ltd: for Wyatt Kutcher in application to approve child settlement agreement in privacy and data protection claim;
  • Silverman v Renegade Pictures Ltd: for Warner Brothers television production company in Article 8 ECHR and trespass claim arising from the filming of an arrest;
  • Doyen Global Ltd v Times Newspapers Ltd [2016] EWHC 3642 (QB): for the Sunday Times in privacy injunction (led by Catrin Evans KC);
  • Roberts v Channel 4 Television Corp: for Channel 4 in application for pre-action disclosure in breach of confidence and copyright claim.

Reporting the Courts/Open Justice

  • Hinduja v Hinduja [2022] EWCA Civ 1492 and [2022] EWCOP 36: sole counsel for Bloomberg LP in the Court of Appeal and the Court of Protection in reporting restrictions applications;
  • Inquest into death of Neal Saunders: for ITN, the BBC and the Guardian in application for media access to body worn video and CCTV footage;
  • R v Imran Khan MP: for the Sun in reporting restriction applications in magistrates’ court and Central Criminal Court;
  • For the Sun in application for media access and reporting in family court non-molestation order proceedings;
  • R (Learndirect Ltd) v OFSTED: for education magazine in application to lift reporting restrictions and injunction in judicial review proceedings;
  • Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry: for the BBC in application to lift reporting restrictions in public inquiry;
  • Times Newspapers Ltd v Newman: for the Sunday Times (Ireland) in application for media access to bankruptcy court file.

PUBLICATIONS & SEMINARS

SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

  • Inns of Court Pegasus Scholarship to the United States (2015)
  • Winner, Inner Temple Lawson Moot (2013)
  • Inner Temple Major Scholarship (2012)
  • University of Cambridge Reddaway Scholarship; Burton Prize; and Fitzwilliam College Foundation Essay Prize (2009)

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Pre-publication advice to numerous national newspapers;
  • On-set legal adviser to Denial, a BAFTA-nominated film about the Holocaust denial libel case of David Irving v Professor Deborah Lipstadt and Penguin Books Ltd [2000] All ER (D) 523;
  • Prior to coming to the Bar, Clara worked as an editorial intern at a leading publisher of political and current affairs books, and as a copy-editor.

Called

2013 Called to the Bar of England and Wales

Education

University of Cambridge (Fitzwilliam College), MA (Cantab) Social and Political Sciences
City University London, GDL (commendation) & BPTC (outstanding)

Areas of work

Reporting the Courts and Contempt
Data Protection and Information Law
Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
General Common Law
Harassment
Human Rights
Injunctive Relief
Pre-publication Advice
Privacy and Confidence

Testimonials

Clara’s research and analysis, of both fact and law is very thorough. Her oral advocacy is fearless and determined. She is the best defence barrister at her level of call in this area of the law.” Legal 500 2024 (Defamation/Privacy)

Clara has impressively good knowledge of data protection law and grapples with the difficult issues with ease. She combines confidence with a calm and understanding manner, which makes her a good choice for cases involving sensitive matters.” Legal 500 2024 (Data Protection)

Clara is dynamic, fearless and robust.” “Really forensic, bright and on top of things; she is an excellent part of any trial team.” Chambers & Partners 2023 (Defamation/Privacy)

Clara is extremely detail-focused, very strong and a forceful but persuasive advocate on her feet, getting great results.” “She gives very clear, well thought-out and comprehensive advice, delivered in a manner that’s accessible to lay clients.” Chambers & Partners 2023 (Data Protection)

Clara is exceptionally organised and hardworking. She has a phenomenal grasp of the facts and understanding of the law involved in the case.” Legal 500 2023 (Defamation/Privacy)

Clara is exceptionally high quality. Her tactical acumen, attention to detail, analysis and communication skills are absolutely outstanding – she never misses anything. And her oral advocacy is excellent.” Legal 500 2023 (Data Protection)

Her mastery of detail is extraordinary and she has a very easy manner with clients.” “She is very pragmatic, knows what needs to be done and doesn’t leave it until last minute.” Chambers & Partners 2022 (Defamation/Privacy)

She works very hard and is able to spot things in the detail that others don’t.” “She’s a very impressive, forensic and thorough barrister, and is good with complex issues.” “She gives comprehensive and well thought-out advice that is accessible to lay clients.” Chambers & Partners 2022 (Data Protection)

She is extremely bright, able to offer practical advice and hugely hard working. She is already one of the best juniors at the media Bar.” Legal 500 2022 (Defamation/Privacy)

Clara gives very clear and well presented advice, which can be easily digested by clients.” Legal 500 2022 (Data Protection)

She is bright and tenacious and also very personable and clients love her, especially the media defendants.” Legal 500 2021 (Data Protection)

A future star of the bar and a fantastic advocate with an exceptional grasp of media law.” Legal 500 2021 (Defamation/Privacy)

Hard-working and sensible, certainly one to watch.” Chambers & Partners 2020 (Defamation/Privacy)

She’s diligent, creative and brilliant at what she does, and she has skills that far surpass her years at the Bar.” “She’s very personable, and her industry experience is clear to see.” Chambers & Partners 2020 (Data Protection)

Sympathetic yet confident manner with a keen eye for detail.” Legal 500 2020 (Defamation/Privacy)

An extremely competent junior who is a pleasure to deal with. She has an excellent grasp of the detail of a case.” “She is very clever and has good judgement.” Chambers & Partners 2019 (Defamation/Privacy)

She’s very sharp-witted, her technical knowledge is excellent and she has a good eye for detail. In court she is fearless and really stands up for herself.” Chambers & Partners 2019 (Data Protection)

Exceptionally talented barrister: very bright; has excellent judgement and is a great team player.” Legal 500 2019 (Defamation/Privacy)

Her work is thorough, well-argued and she has a strong, all-round knowledge of media law.” Chambers & Partners 2018 (Defamation/Privacy)

All cases

Defamation and Malicious Falsehood

Depp v News Group Newspapers

[2020] EWHC 2911 (QB) 02/11/2020

Privacy and Confidence

ZXC v Bloomberg LP

[2020] EWCA Civ 611 15/05/2020

Reporting the Courts and Contempt

Hinduja v Hinduja

[2022] EWCA Civ 1492 18/11/2022

Injunctive Relief

ZXC v Bloomberg LP

[2020] EWCA Civ 611 15/05/2020

Human Rights

ZXC v Bloomberg LP

[2020] EWCA Civ 611 15/05/2020

Data Protection and Information Law

ZXC v Bloomberg LP

[2020] EWCA Civ 611 15/05/2020

Publications

Arlidge, Eady & Smith on Contempt

Sweet & Maxwell
By Clara Hamer. 1 Dec 2005

In 5RB News

20 Oct 2023

5RB tops rankings in Chambers & Partners

6 Oct 2023

Former King of Spain wins claim

5 Oct 2023

5RB named Tier 1 set in Defamation and privacy by The Legal 500

26 Sep 2023

New edition of Information Rights published

12 Jul 2023

5RB shortlisted in Legal 500 Bar Awards 2023

11 Nov 2022

Court of Appeal hands down judgment on open justice in the Court of Protection

Hinduja v Hinduja [2022] EWCA Civ 1492

7 Oct 2022

5RB named top set by The Legal 500

Directory rankings also released

25 Mar 2021

Johnny Depp loses appeal bid

2 Nov 2020

Johnny Depp loses “wife beater” libel claim

15 May 2020

Important Court of Appeal judgment on suspects’ privacy rights: ZXC v Bloomberg

2 Mar 2020

Court of Appeal to hear ZXC v Bloomberg LP privacy appeal

Privacy rights in information as to criminal investigation at centre of appeal in business journalism case

26 Feb 2020

Pre-trial review today in Johnny Depp libel action against The Sun

Actor Johnny Depp's libel action against News Group Newspapers in court today for pre-trial review

18 Jun 2019

5RB at the London Legal Walk 2019

11 Oct 2018

Joint statement in Brown v Bower

Parties issue press statement in libel proceedings brought by Nick Brown MP against Tom Bower and Faber and Faber

27 Nov 2014

‘Plebgate’ Judgment

Mitting J: Mitchell said words alleged or similar

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