David Sherborne

David Sherborne

David is a leading barrister in the field of media and communication, specialising in privacy, confidentiality and defamation, as well as matrimonial and sports law. He is particularly well-known in the industry and press for his extensive reputation management practice, as well as his ground-breaking pre-publication injunction work.

Although the majority of the high net worth individuals, world politicians, entrepreneurs, blue-chip companies and other influential organisations David has acted for are confidential, his representation of the following clients is a matter of public record: Diana, the late Princess of Wales; Benazhir Bhutto, Cherie and Tony Blair, Donald and Melania Trump, Chelsea Clinton, Sheikh Abdulla Al-Khalifa, Sir Paul McCartney, Michael Douglas, Jude Law, Kate Winslett, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Kelly Hoppen, David Walliams, Frankie Boyle, Sir Elton John and David Furnish, the Spice Girls, Paul Weller, Amy Winehouse, Harry Styles, Cheryl Cole, the Beckhams, Paul Gascoigne, Ashley Cole, Don King and Mike Tyson.

He has been responsible for a number of the landmark privacy cases (such as Douglas v Hello, McKennitt v Ash, Mosley v NGN, Weller v Associated Newspapers, Gulati v MGN, ERY v Associated and PJS v NGN), anti-harassment orders and reporting or confidentiality protection in big money divorce cases.

He is currently Lead Counsel for the victims in the multi-million pound hacking group litigation against both News Group Newspapers and Mirror Group Newspapers, and represents several hundred individual clients, having obtained record damages in the trial of eight representative claims and successfully upheld the media challenge to these awards in the Court of Appeal. He was also Lead Counsel for the victims of press intrusion at the Leveson Inquiry.

He is also acting for HRH The Duchess of Sussex in her misuse of private information, breach of data protection and infringement of copyright action against Associated Newspapers.

Called

1992 Called to the Bar of England and Wales

Education

New College, Oxford (Classics - 1st Class Honours) - 1986-1990
College of Law, London (CPE exam - Commendation) - 1990-1991
Inns of Court School of Law (Bar Finals: Very competent) - 1991-1992

Qualifications

Holkher Scholar of Gray's Inn

Areas of work

Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
Injunctive Relief
Intellectual Property
Privacy and Confidence

Testimonials

Star junior barrister who wins unanimous praise from peers for his privacy practice. He remains at the forefront of phone hacking litigation and continues to receive instructions in landmark libel and privacy cases.

“An excellent lawyer for claimants, who is calm in a crisis.” “Great with clients, sees the bigger picture and is at the top of his game.”

Chambers and Partners 2020

“He has great knowledge of the law and is also very innovative. He’s not afraid to take on a losing case and he can turn it into a winner.” “He’s simply the best privacy junior around. He knows the law inside out, having been involved in nearly every leading case.” “continues to be a leader in the privacy field and proves fantastically engaging in all he does.” Known for his “sparkling advocacy,” he has appeared in the landmark JIH v News Group Newspapers privacy cases, amongst others.

Chambers and Partners 2018

What he doesn’t know about defamation and privacy isn’t worth knowing.’

Legal 500, Defamation and Privacy 2018

A really good, solid adviser upon whom clients can rely.’

Legal 500, Media and Entertainment 2018

All cases

Defamation and Malicious Falsehood

Soriano v Le Point & Anor

[2022] EWHC 3370 (KB) 17/03/2023

Rebekah Vardy v Coleen Rooney

[2022] EWHC 2017 (QB) 29/07/2022

Soriano v Le Point & Anor

[2022] EWHC 1763 (QB) 08/07/2022

Vardy v Rooney

[2022] EWHC 304 (QB) 14/02/2022

Rebekah Vardy v Coleen Rooney

[2021] EWHC 1888 (QB) 07/07/2021

Depp v News Group Newspapers

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

Weller v Associated Newspapers Limited

[2014] EWHC 1163 (QB) 16/04/2014

Church v MGN Limited

[2012] EWHC 693 (QB); [2012] EMLR 28 28/03/2012

Modi & IMG v Clarke

[2011] EWCA Civ 937 29/07/2011

Modi v Clarke; IMG v Clarke

[2011] EWHC 1324 (QB) 24/05/2011

Fiddes v Channel Four Television Corporation & Ors (No 2) (CA)

[2010] EWCA Civ 730 29/06/2010

Hays Plc v Hartley

[2010] EWHC 1068 (QB) 17/05/2010

Dee v Telegraph Media Group Ltd (No 2)

[2010] EWHC 924 (QB); [2010] EMLR 20 28/04/2010

Bowman v MGN Ltd

[2010] EWHC 895 (QB) 26/04/2010

Fiddes v Channel 4 Television Corporation & Ors (CA)

[2010] EWCA Civ 516 24/03/2010

Winslet v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2009] EWHC 2735 (QB); [2010] EMLR 11 03/11/2009

Desmond v Bower (CA)

[2009] EWCA Civ 667 07/07/2009

Johnson v MGN Ltd

[2009] EWHC 1481 (QB) 24/06/2009

Haji-Ioannou v (1) Dixon (2) Regus Group PLC (3) Regan

[2009] EWHC 178 (QB) 06/02/2009

Angel v Stainton & Another

[2006] EWHC 637 (QB) 28/03/2006

Lowe v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2006] EWHC 320 (QB); [2007] 2 WLR 595; [2006] 3 All ER 357; [2006] EMLR 476; The Times, 29 March 2006 28/02/2006

Moss v Channel Five Broadcasting Ltd

03/02/2006 03/02/2006

McKeith v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2005] EWHC 1162 (QB); [2005] EMLR 780 14/06/2005

Collins Stewart Limited & Another v The Financial Times Ltd (No 2)

[2005] EWHC 262 (QB); [2006] EMLR 100 25/02/2005

Richardson v Schwarzenegger & Others

[2004] EWHC 2422 (QB) 29/10/2004

Collins Stewart Ltd & Another v The Financial Times Ltd

[2004] EWHC 2337 (QB); [2005] EMLR 64 20/10/2004

Maccaba v Lichtenstein (No 2 – mode of trial)

02/04/2004 02/04/2004

Phillipps v Associated Newspapers Ltd & Another

[2004] EWHC 190 (QB); [2004] 1 WLR 2106; [2004] 2 All ER 455; [2004] EMLR 218 10/02/2004

King v Lewis

[2004] EWHC 168 (QB) 06/02/2004

Oduro v Time Life

[2003] EWHC 1787 (QB) 30/07/2003

Abu v MGN Ltd

[2002] EWHC 2345 (QB); [2003] 1 WLR 2201; [2003] 2 All ER 864; [2003] EMLR 21 07/11/2002

Cook & Carlton Communications Ltd v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No.2)

[2002] EWHC 1070 (QB) 21/05/2002

Elite Model Agency v BBC

24/05/2001 24/05/2001

Basham v Gregory (No.2)

[1998] EWCA Civ 1137 02/07/1998

Basham v Gregory

21/02/1996 21/02/1996

McDonalds Corp v Steel and Morris

[1995] 3 All ER 615 25/03/1994

Privacy and Confidence

Baroness Lawrence & Ors v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2023] EWHC 2789 (KB) 10/11/2023

DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly

[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019

ERY v Associated Newspapers Limited

[2016] EWHC 2760 (QB) 04/11/2016

PJS v News Group Newspapers Ltd (SC)

[2016] UKSC 26 19/05/2016

Weller v Associated Newspapers Limited

[2014] EWHC 1163 (QB) 16/04/2014

RocknRoll v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2013] EWHC 24 (Ch) 17/01/2013

Mosley v UK

Application no. 48009/08; [2012] EMLR 1 10/05/2011

JIH v News Group Newspapers Ltd (CA)

[2011] EWCA Civ 42 31/01/2011

JIH v News Group Newspapers (No 2)

[2010] EWHC 2979 (QB) 18/11/2010

Donald v Ntuli

[2010] EWCA Civ 1276 16/11/2010

Imerman v Imerman

[2009] EWHC 3486 (Fam) 11/12/2009

White v Withers LLP & Ors (CA)

[2009] EWCA Civ 1122 27/10/2009

White v Withers LLP & Dearle

[2008] EWHC 2821 19/11/2008

Mosley v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No 3)

[2008] EWHC 1777 (QB); [2008] EMLR 20; The Times, 30 July 2008 24/07/2008

Mosley v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No 2)

[2008] EWHC 2341 01/07/2008

Mosley v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No 1)

[2008] EWHC 687 (QB) 09/04/2008

L v L and H (a firm)

[2007] EWHC 140 (QB); [2007] 2 FLR 171 01/02/2007

McKennitt v Ash (CA)

[2006] EWCA Civ 1714; [2008] QB 73; [2007] 3 WLR 194; [2007] EMLR 113; The Times, 20 December 2006 14/12/2006

McKennitt v Ash (QBD)

[2005] EWHC 3003 (QB); [2006] EMLR 178 21/12/2005

A v B, C & D

[2005] EWHC 1651 (QB); [2005] EMLR 851; [2005] 28(8) IPD 28060 13/07/2005

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No 8) (CA)

[2005] EWCA Civ 595; [2006] QB 125; [2005] 3 WLR 881; [2005] EMLR 609; The Times 24 May 2005; The Times 26 May 2005 18/05/2005

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.6)

[2003] EWHC 2629 (Ch); [2004] EMLR 13 07/11/2003

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.5)

[2003] EWHC 786 (Ch); [2003] 3 All ER 996; [2003] EMLR 641 11/04/2003

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.4)

[2003] EWCA Civ 332; [2003] EMLR 633 03/03/2003

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.2)

[2003] EWCA Civ 139; [2003] EMLR 585 12/02/2003

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.3)

[2003] EWHC 55 (Ch); [2003] EMLR 601 27/01/2003

Douglas v Hello! Ltd

[2001] QB 967; [2001] 2 WLR 992; [2001] 2 All ER 289; [2001] EMLR 199; [2001] FSR 732 21/12/2000

Harassment

DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly

[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019

(1) Ting Lan Hong (2) Child KLM v XYZ & Ors

[2011] EWHC 2995 (QB) 18/11/2011

Reporting the Courts and Contempt

R v R & Anor

[2017] EWCA Civ 1588 17/10/2017

Church v MGN Limited

[2012] EWHC 693 (QB); [2012] EMLR 28 28/03/2012

Injunctive Relief

DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly

[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019

PJS v News Group Newspapers Ltd (SC)

[2016] UKSC 26 19/05/2016

RocknRoll v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2013] EWHC 24 (Ch) 17/01/2013

(1) Ting Lan Hong (2) Child KLM v XYZ & Ors

[2011] EWHC 2995 (QB) 18/11/2011

Mosley v UK

Application no. 48009/08; [2012] EMLR 1 10/05/2011

JIH v News Group Newspapers Ltd (CA)

[2011] EWCA Civ 42 31/01/2011

JIH v News Group Newspapers (No 2)

[2010] EWHC 2979 (QB) 18/11/2010

Donald v Ntuli

[2010] EWCA Civ 1276 16/11/2010

Mosley v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No 1)

[2008] EWHC 687 (QB) 09/04/2008

A v B, C & D

[2005] EWHC 1651 (QB); [2005] EMLR 851; [2005] 28(8) IPD 28060 13/07/2005

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No 8) (CA)

[2005] EWCA Civ 595; [2006] QB 125; [2005] 3 WLR 881; [2005] EMLR 609; The Times 24 May 2005; The Times 26 May 2005 18/05/2005

Douglas v Hello! Ltd

[2001] QB 967; [2001] 2 WLR 992; [2001] 2 All ER 289; [2001] EMLR 199; [2001] FSR 732 21/12/2000

Data Protection and Information Law

Soriano v Le Point & Anor

[2022] EWHC 3370 (KB) 17/03/2023

Weller v Associated Newspapers Limited

[2014] EWHC 1163 (QB) 16/04/2014

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No 8) (CA)

[2005] EWCA Civ 595; [2006] QB 125; [2005] 3 WLR 881; [2005] EMLR 609; The Times 24 May 2005; The Times 26 May 2005 18/05/2005

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.6)

[2003] EWHC 2629 (Ch); [2004] EMLR 13 07/11/2003

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.5)

[2003] EWHC 786 (Ch); [2003] 3 All ER 996; [2003] EMLR 641 11/04/2003

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.4)

[2003] EWCA Civ 332; [2003] EMLR 633 03/03/2003

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.2)

[2003] EWCA Civ 139; [2003] EMLR 585 12/02/2003

Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.3)

[2003] EWHC 55 (Ch); [2003] EMLR 601 27/01/2003

Douglas v Hello! Ltd

[2001] QB 967; [2001] 2 WLR 992; [2001] 2 All ER 289; [2001] EMLR 199; [2001] FSR 732 21/12/2000

General Common Law

DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly

[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019

Imerman v Imerman

[2009] EWHC 3486 (Fam) 11/12/2009

White v Withers LLP & Ors (CA)

[2009] EWCA Civ 1122 27/10/2009

Articles

Recent Developments in Defamation

By David Sherborne. 15 Sep 2004

Publications

The Law of Privacy and the Media

Oxford University Press
By David Sherborne. 17 Oct 2002

In 5RB News

9 Feb 2024

Indemnity costs after Mirror hacking trial

21 Dec 2023

David Sherborne named The Times Lawyer of the Week

15 Dec 2023

Judgment in Mirror phone hacking trial

5 Dec 2023

Statements in Open Court in Mobile Telephone Interception Litigation

21 Nov 2023

Consequentials hearing in Lawrence & Ors v Associated

10 Nov 2023

Lawrence & Ors v Associated privacy claims can go to trial

20 Oct 2023

5RB tops rankings in Chambers & Partners

5 Oct 2023

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

5 Jul 2023

Applications in Duke of Sussex v NGN

9 May 2023

Phone hacking trial to begin

27 Mar 2023

Lawrence & Ors v Associated: four-day hearing begins

3 Jan 2023

5RB cases dominate Spear’s reputation cases roundup 2022

18 Nov 2022

5RB success at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022

7 Oct 2022

5RB named top set by The Legal 500

Directory rankings also released

4 Oct 2022

Rebekah Vardy ordered to pay indemnity costs

Costs of up to £1.5m ordered with an interim payment of £800,000

29 Jul 2022

Coleen Rooney succeeds in truth defence in Vardy v Rooney

Steyn J finds that Rebekah Vardy leaked posts from private Instagram account

8 Feb 2022

Vardy v Rooney Hearing

7 Jul 2021

Rebekah Vardy’s summary judgment application fails

18 Jun 2021

Hearing in Rebekah Vardy v Coleen Rooney

25 Mar 2021

Johnny Depp loses appeal bid

21 Nov 2020

Meaning of Coleen Rooney’s social media posts determined in Vardy v Rooney libel case

The meaning of Instagram and Twitter posts by Coleen Rooney decided by High Court

2 Nov 2020

Johnny Depp loses “wife beater” libel claim

6 Aug 2020

Court rules in favour of Duchess

Five friends’ names remain private

1 May 2020

Judgment handed down in Duchess of Sussex’s case against Mail on Sunday

Court finds for Associated Newspapers in pre-trial application in privacy case brought by the Duchess of Sussex

18 Mar 2020

5RB members praised in Who’s Who Legal 2020

Five 5RB silks and 11 5RB juniors commended in Who's Who Legal Marketplace Analysis 2020

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

23 Feb 2018

Supreme Court refuses permission in anonymity case

Russian oligarch can now be named

2 Nov 2017

“The pre-eminent set”: Chambers UK

5RB and members recommended for Defamation & Privacy and Data Protection in 2018 Chambers UK Bar Guide

11 Oct 2017

5RB ‘dominates the field’ in Legal 500

Chambers and members recommended for Defamation & Privacy, Data Protection, and Media and Entertainment work in legal directory

17 Nov 2016

29 phone hacking claims settle

Statements in open court read in claims against Mirror Group Newspapers

4 Nov 2016

High Court grants interim injunction

Criminal investigation and interview engage Claimant's Article 8 rights

19 May 2016

Supreme Court upholds PJS injunction

Appeal allowed, injunction continued until trial

29 Apr 2016

Sun phone-hacking claims to proceed

High Court allows amendments to include The Sun

30 Mar 2016

Supreme Court refuses permission in two media cases

Mirror phone-hacking damages case and Weller will not be heard by the SC

17 Dec 2015

Mirror phone-hacking damages appeal dismissed

Damages awards totalling £1.2m stand

20 Nov 2015

Wellers win MailOnline photos appeal

Appeal against judgment in favour of Paul Weller's children dismissed

30 Oct 2015

Court of Appeal hearing in ANL v Weller

Appeal in relation to photos of Paul Weller's children heard

26 Aug 2015

Permission to appeal in MGN phone hacking case

Kitchin LJ grants permission on damages award

21 May 2015

Judgment in MGN phone-hacking case

Mann J awards 'very substantial' damages to Claimants

31 Oct 2014

5RB tops Chambers & Partners 2015

Set and 19 barristers recommended in UK Bar Guide

9 May 2014

Russell Brand accepts libel damages and apology

Settlement with Sun on Sunday over cheating claims

16 Apr 2014

Paul Weller succeeds in High Court privacy claim

High Court grants children damages for misuse of private information

31 Mar 2014

High Court hears Weller privacy trial

Privacy claim brought by musician’s children in respect of MailOnline photographs

22 Oct 2012

Jury awards libel damages to Frankie Boyle

Mirror Group Newspapers found liable in relation to “racist comedian” allegation.

21 May 2012

Leveson Inquiry

Availability of 5RB counsel

20 Jan 2012

Leveson challenge dismissed

Administrative Court upholds anonymous evidence decision

10 Nov 2011

Leveson Inquiry Starts

Inquiry into press ethics: opening submissions

28 Oct 2011

5RB tops Chambers and Partners 2012

Adam Wolanski wins Defamation and Privacy Junior Barrister of the Year

27 Sep 2011

Mosley refused ECHR Grand Chamber

Prior notification crusade concludes

27 Sep 2011

‘Truly experts’

The Legal 500 review 2012

20 May 2011

Phone hacking test cases chosen

Five lead and five reserve lead cases to go forward

10 May 2011

ECHR rejects Mosley privacy application

Pre-notification of privacy subjects unnecessary, Strasbourg court rules

15 Apr 2011

Phone hacking ‘test’ cases to be tried

Vos J orders parties to identify 4 or 5 cases to go forward to determine common issues in News of the World claims

31 Jan 2011

‘JIH’ wins privacy appeal

Anonymity granted to privacy claimant until trial

5 Nov 2010

5RB tops directory ranking

Chambers & Partners 2011 edition praises set

21 Jun 2010

Fiddes v Channel 4 libel claim settles

Claimant discontinues claim over 'Jacksons Are Coming' documentary as trial about to commence

10 Jun 2010

Fiddes trial to go ahead without jury

Master of the Rolls rejects appeal over judge alone trial

26 Apr 2010

Les Mis star wins libel compensation

But actor Simon Bowman ordered to pay majority of costs after rejecting settlement offers

4 Nov 2009

Cole settles privacy claim

Footballer’s claim over “kiss-and-tell” newspaper articles ends with settlement

3 Nov 2009

Kate Winslet wins libel apology ruling

Statements in Open Court available under offer of amends regime

24 Sep 2009

5RB’s juniors: the Legal 500 verdict

What the legal directory had to say about 5RB's junior barristers

23 Jul 2009

Tom Bower wins Desmond libel case

Jury verdict in favour of defendant author over comments about Express owner

7 Jul 2009

Richard Desmond libel trial stopped

Trial of claim against Conrad Black biographer to restart on Monday

31 Oct 2008

Speedy trial for Sienna Miller

Trial of actress' harassment and privacy claim against Big Pictures to be expedited

30 Sep 2008

Sienna Miller wins photo damages

Actress succeeds in privacy action against the Daily Star

27 Aug 2008

Sir Salman Rushdie slurs declared false

Former protection officer apologises for allegations about author in book

24 Jul 2008

Max Mosley awarded £60,000

FIA President wins record privacy damages against News Group

14 Jul 2008

Max Mosley privacy trial concludes

5RB's James Price QC and Mark Warby QC deliver closing speeches

1 Jul 2008

Mosley damages claim survives

Attempt to strike out claim for exemplary damages in privacy action fails

9 Apr 2008

Mosley refused ‘orgy’ injunction

'No point' in preventing News of the World showing video on website, rules Eady J

18 Jan 2008

Sienna Miller wins privacy action

Actress granted default judgment and injunction against photographer

15 Dec 2007

Kidman wins libel damages

Actress settles claim over perfume allegations

23 Nov 2007

Blairs win privacy payout

Daily Mail pays damages to charity for long-lens holiday photographs

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

29 Mar 2007

WPP libel and privacy case settles

Sir Martin Sorrell accepts £120,000 in damages

14 Mar 2007

WPP libel and privacy trial begins

Sir Martin Sorrell claims former WPP consultant responsible for blog and email

14 Dec 2006

New blow for kiss and tell?

McKennitt v Ash: Court of Appeal hands down judgment in major privacy case

21 Nov 2006

Privacy case in the Court of Appeal

McKennitt v Ash appeal begins today

24 Oct 2006

5RB tops Chambers & Partners review

Nineteen barristers recommended in Annual Survey

27 Sep 2006

5RB tops Legal 500 survey

Twenty barristers recommended across core practice areas

3 Feb 2006

Further cocaine allegation allowed in Moss libel case

Supermodel must answer drug claims in action against Five

26 Oct 2005

£250,000 damages for Rupert Lowe

Southampton FC Chairman wins libel case against The Times

24 Oct 2005

Chambers’ Review: 5RB top again

20 barristers recommended for Media, Entertainment, Defamation, Privacy, Intellectual Property & Sports Law

21 Sep 2005

5RB tops annual Legal 500 Review

17 barristers named as leaders in their field

13 Dec 2004

Douglas v Hello! in the CA

Appeals being heard this week

5 Nov 2004

5RB top in Chambers & Partners Review

Seventeen 5RB members ranked

29 Oct 2004

Schwarzenegger faces libel claim

High Court rules that case can proceed in London

20 Oct 2004

Collins Stewart damages claim trimmed

High Court strikes out part of special damages claim against FT

11 Oct 2004

The new term ahead…

Autumn/Winter 2004 at 5RB

24 Sep 2004

5RB top in Legal 500 Review

15 barristers named as leaders in their field

7 Sep 2004

McLibel pair in new appeal bid

New ECHR challenge to denial of legal aid

25 Jun 2004

Maccaba loses ‘Indecent Proposal’ Case

Longest-running slander claim ends in defeat

3 Feb 2004

Douglas v Hello!

Judgment available

3 Nov 2003

Royal Controversy

5RB Instructed

8 Apr 2003

Douglas v Hello!

Judgment In!

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