Details
Quick links
Adam Wolanski
Profile
Adam is the winner of the Chambers and Partners 2012 'Junior of the Year' award in the category of defamation and privacy.
He is a leading junior specialising in defamation and all other areas of media law. He also advises and acts in commercial disputes.
He has a particular expertise in claims involving privacy and confidence in family proceedings and has appeared and advised in many of the main cases in this field. He is co author of The Family Courts: Media Access and Reporting, published in July 2011 by the Family Division of the High Court, the Judicial College and the Society of Editors.
His work in 2010-11 has included:
• Acting for the News of the World in a privacy claim brought by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
• Acting for News Group in a case concerning alleged phone hacking
• Junior counsel for the BBC in a case concerning publication of the contents of a Serious Case Review into failings at a local authority
• Acting for the Mirror and the News of the World in libel claims brought by Sheryl Gascoigne
• Junior counsel in a Court of Appeal case concerning publication of judgments in ancillary relief proceedings
• Acting for a large accountancy firm bringing a libel claim, resulting in an award of £50,000 damages
• Acting for The Sun is a libel claim brought by a Haringey social worker arising out of allegations about her involvement in the Baby P affair.
• Junior counsel for Al Jazeera in a libel claim brought against it by Palestinian politician Mohammed Dahlan
• Junior counsel for the Guardian and the Times in an on-going action concerning media access to court documents
• Acting for the RSPB in a libel claim brought by two researchers
• Acting for the Sun in a libel claim brought by a doctor concerning allegations of involvement in terrorism
• Advising the News of the World on the Duchess of York sting story before publication
• Striking out a libel claim brought against the BBC
• Acting for a large security company in breach of confidence proceedings arising out of the planting of surreptitious recording devices
• Obtaining an injunction to prevent harassment by publication of information on a website
Career
Called
1995 Called to the Bar
Education
University of Cambridge (Robinson College) MA (Hons) History
Polytechnic of Central London, CPE examination (with merit); Awarded CPE Scholarship by Lincoln's Inn.
Inns of Court School of Law (Bar Vocational Course)
Areas of work
- Defamation
- Privacy and Confidence
- Intellectual Property
- Reporting the Courts
- Pre-publication Advice
- Contempt
- General Common Law
- Malicious Falsehood
Verbatim
"Making a very big name for himself at the very highest level, Adam Wolanski’s position at the top of his field is solidified by his “excellent pleadings, unflappable coolness under fire, finely wrought judgement and sheer niceness” - Chambers and Partners Bar Awards 'Junior of the Year' nomination 2008.
Testimonials
Recommended as a 'leading junior' in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners directories. The 2012 Chambers and Partners guide says he "does a lot of leading-edge work.", is "hugely knowledgeable, very flexible and extremely effective," and "is praised for getting heavily involved in a case".The 2011 Chambers and Partners guide said: " He is highly acclaimed for his ability to put forward complex legal arguments. A number of interviewees said he was their junior of choice for "tricky cases where you need someone who is reliable and who won't slip up." Commentators note that Wolanski has "a great way of working with editors and journalists “Has a very good sense of the commercial media objective," as well as "an ability to get his head around complex issues very quickly." Previous editions of Chambers and Partners have said:“He clearly knows his stuff and has a nice courtroom style”, and "competitors find him to be pragmatic, user-friendly and aggressive when need be" (Chambers 2007 edition) The 2006 edition of Chambers reported receiving “excellent feedback” about his “legal and practical insight”, and said that “opponents feel he possesses energy and enthusiasm and isn’t one to mince his words”. Also described in Chambers and Partners as being "approachable" (2002 edition) having a "wonderful courtroom manner" (2003 edition) as offering "lucid advice on the law" (2004 edition).
Languages
French (reasonable)
Publications
(17 Oct 2002)
(17 Mar 2011)
Cases
Defamation
Henry v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No 3)
[2011] EWHC 1058 (QB) 20/04/2011
Bowker & Anor v RSPB
[2011] EWHC 737 (QB) 25/03/2011
Henry v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No 2)
[2011] EWHC 296 (QB) 18/02/2011
Henry v News Group Newspapers Ltd
Unreported, 13 January 2011 13/01/2011
Daniels v BBC
[2010] EWHC 3057 (QB) 24/11/2010
Ernst & Young and Ors v Coomber and Ors
[2010] EWHC 2837 (QB) & 2838 (QB) 08/11/2010
Peacock v MGN Ltd
[2009] EWHC 769 (QB) 08/04/2009
W v JH & A County Council Limited
[2008] EWHC 399 (QB); [2009] EMLR 11 05/03/2008
Ivereigh v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2008] EWHC 339 (QB) 12/02/2008
Malik v Newspost Ltd & Ors
[2007] EWHC 3063 (QB) 19/12/2007
Merelie v Newcastle Primary Health Care Trust & Others (No.3)
[2006] EWHC 1433 (Admin) 20/06/2006
Turcu v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No.2)
[2005] EWHC 799 (QB) 04/05/2005
Turcu v News Group Newspapers Ltd
21 March 2005 21/03/2005
Merelie v Newcastle Primary Health Care Trust & Others
[2004] EWHC 2554 (QB); The Times, 1 December 2004 11/11/2004
Sarayiah v Suren & Others
[2004] EWHC 1981 (QB) 10/09/2004
Campbell v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No.2)
[2002] EWCA Civ 1143; [2002] EMLR 43 31/07/2002
Safeway v Tate
[2000] EWCA Civ 335; [2001] QB 1120; [2001] 2 WLR 1377 18/12/2000
Privacy and Confidence
Morgan v A Local Authority (Re X, Y and Z)
[2011] EWHC 1157 (Fam) 11/05/2011
Re Baby RB (Press Injunction)
[2011] EWHC 221 (Fam) 16/02/2011
Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council v BBC
[2010] EWHC 53 (QB) 22/01/2010
Re Stedman & Patten (& Others)
[2009] EWHC 935 (Fam) 18/05/2009
Ivereigh v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2008] EWHC 339 (QB) 12/02/2008
T (by her litigation friend the Official Solicitor) v BBC
[2007] EWHC 1683 (QB) 11/07/2007
Norfolk County Council v Webster & Others
[2006] EWHC 2733 (Fam); [2007] EMLR 199; (2007) HRLR 3 02/11/2006
Hughes v Carratu International plc
[2006] EWHC 1791 (QB) 19/07/2006
Clayton v Clayton
[2006] EWCA Civ 878; [2006] Fam 83; [2006] 3 WLR 599; [2007] 1 All ER 1197; [2007] EMLR 65; (2007) 1 FLR 11; (2006) HRLR 34; (2007) UKHRR 264; The Times, 4 July 2006; The Independent, 29 June 2006 27/06/2006
BBC v Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, X and Y
[2005] EWHC 2862 (Fam); [2006] EMLR 117 08/12/2005
A (A Local Authority) v PD & Another
[2005] EWHC 1832 (Fam); [2005] EMLR 840 10/08/2005
Venables & Thompson v News Group Newspapers Ltd
[2001] EWHC 32 (QB); [2001] Fam 430; [2001] 2 WLR 1038; [2001] 1 All ER 908; [2001] EMLR 255; [2001] 1 FLR 791 08/01/2001
Data Protection
W v JH & A County Council Limited
[2008] EWHC 399 (QB); [2009] EMLR 11 05/03/2008
Hughes v Carratu International plc
[2006] EWHC 1791 (QB) 19/07/2006
Reporting the Courts
A Local Authority v News Group Newspapers and Others
[2011] EWHC 1764 (Fam) 08/07/2011
Morgan v A Local Authority (Re X, Y and Z)
[2011] EWHC 1157 (Fam) 11/05/2011
Re Baby RB (Press Injunction)
[2011] EWHC 221 (Fam) 16/02/2011
Re MGN Ltd & Ors
[2011] EWCA Crim 100 25/01/2011
R (On the application of Guardian News and Media Ltd) v City of Westminster Magistrates' Court
[2010] EWHC 3376 (Admin) 21/12/2010
Lykiardopulo v Lykiardopulo
[2010] EWCA Civ 1315 (QB) 19/11/2010
Re Child X (Residence and Contact - Rights of media attendance - FPR Rule 10.28(4))
[2009] EWHC 1728 (Fam) 14/07/2009
Re Stedman & Patten (& Others)
[2009] EWHC 935 (Fam) 18/05/2009
Medway Council v G and Others
[2008] EWHC 1691 (Fam) 18/07/2008
Ivereigh v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2008] EWHC 339 (QB) 12/02/2008
Norfolk County Council v Webster & Others
[2006] EWHC 2733 (Fam); [2007] EMLR 199; (2007) HRLR 3 02/11/2006
Clayton v Clayton
[2006] EWCA Civ 878; [2006] Fam 83; [2006] 3 WLR 599; [2007] 1 All ER 1197; [2007] EMLR 65; (2007) 1 FLR 11; (2006) HRLR 34; (2007) UKHRR 264; The Times, 4 July 2006; The Independent, 29 June 2006 27/06/2006
Birmingham City Council v H
[2005] EWHC 2885 (Fam) 13/12/2005
BBC v Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, X and Y
[2005] EWHC 2862 (Fam); [2006] EMLR 117 08/12/2005
A (A Local Authority) v PD & Another
[2005] EWHC 1832 (Fam); [2005] EMLR 840 10/08/2005
Cox v Jones
[2004] EWHC 1006 (Ch) 06/05/2004
Re B (A Child) (Disclosure)
[2004] EWHC 411 (Fam); [2004] 2 FLR 142; [2004] Lloyds Rep Med 303 05/03/2004
Venables & Thompson v News Group Newspapers Ltd
[2001] EWHC 32 (QB); [2001] Fam 430; [2001] 2 WLR 1038; [2001] 1 All ER 908; [2001] EMLR 255; [2001] 1 FLR 791 08/01/2001
Administrative Law
R (On the application of Guardian News and Media Ltd) v City of Westminster Magistrates' Court
[2010] EWHC 3376 (Admin) 21/12/2010
Contempt
Clayton v Clayton
[2006] EWCA Civ 878; [2006] Fam 83; [2006] 3 WLR 599; [2007] 1 All ER 1197; [2007] EMLR 65; (2007) 1 FLR 11; (2006) HRLR 34; (2007) UKHRR 264; The Times, 4 July 2006; The Independent, 29 June 2006 27/06/2006
Re B (A Child) (Disclosure)
[2004] EWHC 411 (Fam); [2004] 2 FLR 142; [2004] Lloyds Rep Med 303 05/03/2004
General Common Law
Merelie v Newcastle Primary Health Care Trust & Others (No.3)
[2006] EWHC 1433 (Admin) 20/06/2006
Merelie v Newcastle Primary Health Care Trust & Others
[2004] EWHC 2554 (QB); The Times, 1 December 2004 11/11/2004
Harassment
Merelie v Newcastle Primary Health Care Trust & Others (No.3)
[2006] EWHC 1433 (Admin) 20/06/2006
Merelie v Newcastle Primary Health Care Trust & Others
[2004] EWHC 2554 (QB); The Times, 1 December 2004 11/11/2004
Human Rights
A Local Authority v News Group Newspapers and Others
[2011] EWHC 1764 (Fam) 08/07/2011
Re Baby RB (Press Injunction)
[2011] EWHC 221 (Fam) 16/02/2011
Re Stedman & Patten (& Others)
[2009] EWHC 935 (Fam) 18/05/2009
Medway Council v G and Others
[2008] EWHC 1691 (Fam) 18/07/2008
Ivereigh v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2008] EWHC 339 (QB) 12/02/2008
T (by her litigation friend the Official Solicitor) v BBC
[2007] EWHC 1683 (QB) 11/07/2007
Norfolk County Council v Webster & Others
[2006] EWHC 2733 (Fam); [2007] EMLR 199; (2007) HRLR 3 02/11/2006
Clayton v Clayton
[2006] EWCA Civ 878; [2006] Fam 83; [2006] 3 WLR 599; [2007] 1 All ER 1197; [2007] EMLR 65; (2007) 1 FLR 11; (2006) HRLR 34; (2007) UKHRR 264; The Times, 4 July 2006; The Independent, 29 June 2006 27/06/2006
BBC v Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, X and Y
[2005] EWHC 2862 (Fam); [2006] EMLR 117 08/12/2005
Re B (A Child) (Disclosure)
[2004] EWHC 411 (Fam); [2004] 2 FLR 142; [2004] Lloyds Rep Med 303 05/03/2004
Venables & Thompson v News Group Newspapers Ltd
[2001] EWHC 32 (QB); [2001] Fam 430; [2001] 2 WLR 1038; [2001] 1 All ER 908; [2001] EMLR 255; [2001] 1 FLR 791 08/01/2001
Injunctive Relief
Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council v BBC
[2010] EWHC 53 (QB) 22/01/2010
Re Stedman & Patten (& Others)
[2009] EWHC 935 (Fam) 18/05/2009
Medway Council v G and Others
[2008] EWHC 1691 (Fam) 18/07/2008
T (by her litigation friend the Official Solicitor) v BBC
[2007] EWHC 1683 (QB) 11/07/2007
Clayton v Clayton
[2006] EWCA Civ 878; [2006] Fam 83; [2006] 3 WLR 599; [2007] 1 All ER 1197; [2007] EMLR 65; (2007) 1 FLR 11; (2006) HRLR 34; (2007) UKHRR 264; The Times, 4 July 2006; The Independent, 29 June 2006 27/06/2006
BBC v Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, X and Y
[2005] EWHC 2862 (Fam); [2006] EMLR 117 08/12/2005
Venables & Thompson v News Group Newspapers Ltd
[2001] EWHC 32 (QB); [2001] Fam 430; [2001] 2 WLR 1038; [2001] 1 All ER 908; [2001] EMLR 255; [2001] 1 FLR 791 08/01/2001
Media Law
A Local Authority v News Group Newspapers and Others
[2011] EWHC 1764 (Fam) 08/07/2011
Morgan v A Local Authority (Re X, Y and Z)
[2011] EWHC 1157 (Fam) 11/05/2011
Bowker & Anor v RSPB
[2011] EWHC 737 (QB) 25/03/2011
Henry v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No 2)
[2011] EWHC 296 (QB) 18/02/2011
Re Baby RB (Press Injunction)
[2011] EWHC 221 (Fam) 16/02/2011
Re MGN Ltd & Ors
[2011] EWCA Crim 100 25/01/2011
Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council v BBC
[2010] EWHC 53 (QB) 22/01/2010
Re Child X (Residence and Contact - Rights of media attendance - FPR Rule 10.28(4))
[2009] EWHC 1728 (Fam) 14/07/2009
Re Stedman & Patten (& Others)
[2009] EWHC 935 (Fam) 18/05/2009
Peacock v MGN Ltd
[2009] EWHC 769 (QB) 08/04/2009
Medway Council v G and Others
[2008] EWHC 1691 (Fam) 18/07/2008
W v JH & A County Council Limited
[2008] EWHC 399 (QB); [2009] EMLR 11 05/03/2008
Malik v Newspost Ltd & Ors
[2007] EWHC 3063 (QB) 19/12/2007
T (by her litigation friend the Official Solicitor) v BBC
[2007] EWHC 1683 (QB) 11/07/2007
Norfolk County Council v Webster & Others
[2006] EWHC 2733 (Fam); [2007] EMLR 199; (2007) HRLR 3 02/11/2006
Clayton v Clayton
[2006] EWCA Civ 878; [2006] Fam 83; [2006] 3 WLR 599; [2007] 1 All ER 1197; [2007] EMLR 65; (2007) 1 FLR 11; (2006) HRLR 34; (2007) UKHRR 264; The Times, 4 July 2006; The Independent, 29 June 2006 27/06/2006
BBC v Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, X and Y
[2005] EWHC 2862 (Fam); [2006] EMLR 117 08/12/2005
A (A Local Authority) v PD & Another
[2005] EWHC 1832 (Fam); [2005] EMLR 840 10/08/2005
Turcu v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No.2)
[2005] EWHC 799 (QB) 04/05/2005
Turcu v News Group Newspapers Ltd
21 March 2005 21/03/2005
Sarayiah v Suren & Others
[2004] EWHC 1981 (QB) 10/09/2004
Cox v Jones
[2004] EWHC 1006 (Ch) 06/05/2004
Re B (A Child) (Disclosure)
[2004] EWHC 411 (Fam); [2004] 2 FLR 142; [2004] Lloyds Rep Med 303 05/03/2004
Campbell v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No.2)
[2002] EWCA Civ 1143; [2002] EMLR 43 31/07/2002
Publishing
Campbell v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No.2)
[2002] EWCA Civ 1143; [2002] EMLR 43 31/07/2002
Articles
Reporting Ancillary Relief Proceedings: An Update
By Adam Wolanski. 3 Dec 2010
Media Access to the Family Courts: the Latest Proposals
By Adam Wolanski. 10 Dec 2009
Media Access to the Family Courts: Paper to President's Conference
By Adam Wolanski. 12 May 2009
Reforms to family court reporting
By Adam Wolanski. 30 Nov 2006
Reporting the courts
By Adam Wolanski. 13 Mar 2006
News
28 Oct 2011
5RB tops Chambers and Partners 2012
Adam Wolanski wins Defamation and Privacy Junior Barrister of the Year
17 Mar 2011
New edition of privacy book published
Second edition of Tugendhat & Christie: The Law of Privacy and the Media published
22 Jul 2010
Pitt & Jolie win 'false privacy' case
News of the World agrees to apologise and pay damages
27 Apr 2010
Doctor accepts substantial libel damages
Newspaper apologises for untrue front page terrorism allegations
24 Sep 2009
5RB's juniors: the Legal 500 verdict
What the legal directory had to say about 5RB's junior barristers
19 May 2009
Alfie's not the dad: injunction lifted
Family Division lifts ban on DNA test result showing 12-year-old did not father child
27 Oct 2008
Judge lifts adoption injunction
Mail on Sunday wins right to identify adoption father in organ transplant case
26 Sep 2008
5RB wins Chambers and Partners award
Set named ‘2008 Defamation and Privacy Set of the Year’ at Chambers Bar Awards
20 Mar 2008
Judge: no secrecy for royal blackmail trial
CPS application to hear evidence in secret dismissed
12 Mar 2008
Bid to injunct Channel 4 fails
Interview with Equatorial Guinea coup attempt 'manager' is broadcast
29 Feb 2008
Hung jury in abortion libel trial
Cardinal's spokesman suing over hypocrisy allegations faces a retrial
8 Nov 2007
5RB tops Chambers & Partners review
20 Barristers rated and recommended in the new annual survey
20 Sep 2007
5RB tops Legal 500
20 Barristers rated and recommended in Defamation, Privacy, Intellectual Property, Sport and Media & Entertainment Law
26 Jun 2007
'Abuse' couple win fight to keep their baby
Media present at dramatic end to controversial family case
6 Jun 2007
Hollingsworth bid for extra £25k fails
Belated attempt to amend Claim Form is rejected by the High Court
25 May 2007
Hollingsworth jury awards £75,000
... but he only gets £50,000 for Daily Mail punch-up libel
2 Nov 2006
Judge lifts family reporting ban
Media permitted to attend High Court care case for the first time
22 Sep 2006
'Smacking children' injunction bid fails
Judge rejects last minute application by NSPCC to stop ITV programme
27 Jun 2006
Father wins family report ban case
Court of Appeal rules that children may be identified after family cases end
19 Jun 2006
Dentist loses libel & harassment case
High Court dismisses claim against Newcastle Health Care Trust
12 May 2006
Afghan Hijackers name ban lifted
Judge removes reporting restrictions in Judicial Review proceedings
12 Apr 2006
News Group pays £100k to Rooney
England player settles libel case over nightclub slap claim
28 Feb 2006
Family law media reporting challenge
Court of Appeal hears test case over reporting restrictions in the family courts
9 Dec 2005
Social workers fail in bid for anonymity
No expectation of privacy for experts in family cases
24 Oct 2005
Chambers' Review: 5RB top again
20 barristers recommended for Media, Entertainment, Defamation, Privacy, Intellectual Property & Sports Law
4 May 2005
Beckham 'kidnap' libel claim fails
News of the World succeeds in justification defence against CFA claimant