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Jonathan Barnes
Profile
Jonathan's practice covers defamation, privacy, confidence, data protection, freedom of information, publishing, broadcasting and media law. He undertakes commercial, contract and agency cases, including sports disputes. He regularly advises on urgent reputation, privacy and confidence issues, often involving the Internet or other forms of electronic communication. He provides pre-publication advice to commercial publishers.
His cases include: Boehringer Ingelheim & Others v Vetplus, on the principles of interim injunctive relief in the context of comparative advertising; Murray v Big Pictures, the JK Rowling pushchair privacy claim; BBC v HarperCollins, on the revelation of the identity of "The Stig"; and Cooper v Turrell, addressing the principles for quantifying damages in libel, privacy and confidence.
Recently, he has acted for the claimants in three significant assessments of damages: the awards of £175,000 and £180,000 libel damages in the two Al Amoudi v Kifle cases (led by Desmond Browne QC); and the awards totalling £120,000 in Cooper v Turrell (above). On the defendant side, he was junior counsel in the 2012 blogging libel trial of Mengi v Hermitage.
In addition to his court work, Jonathan has represented clients at the Broadcasting Standards Commission (now OFCOM), the Office of Fair Trading, the Employment Tribunals, in FA arbitration proceedings and in London Metal Exchange arbitration proceedings.
Career
Called
1999 Called to the Bar
Education
University College, Oxford, BA(Hons), Jurisprudence, 1990
Qualifications
Former solicitor, admitted 1993
Deputy District Judge
Areas of work
- Defamation
- Privacy and Confidence
- Sports Law
- Intellectual Property
- Data Protection
- Pre-publication Advice
- Public Access
- Harassment
- Human Rights
- Injunctive Relief
- Malicious Falsehood
- Media Law
- Professional Negligence
- Publishing
Verbatim
"encapsulates everything that a good libel lawyer should be" - Chambers & Partners, 2012-3
‘...exceptionally talented, dedicated and thorough’ - Legal 500, 2012
Testimonials
Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners leading junior in defamation and privacy
Legal Business legal expert in defamation
Memberships
Evening legal advisor, North Islington Law Centre, 1996 - 1999
Night lawyer, Guardian Newspapers Limited, 2001 - 2002
Bar Pro Bono Unit: panel counsel and case reviewer
JUSTICE
Publications
(17 Oct 2002)
(17 Mar 2011)
Cases
Defamation
Al Amoudi v Kifle & Another
[2013] EWHC 293 (QB) 13/02/2013
Mengi v Hermitage (No 2)
[2012] EWHC 3445 (QB) 30/11/2012
Mengi v Hermitage (security for costs appeal)
[2012] EWHC 2045 (QB) 20/07/2012
Matthew Cooper & Anr v Mark Turrell
[2011] EWHC 3269 (QB) 12/12/2011
Al-Amoudi v Kifle
[2011] EWHC 2037 (QB) 29/07/2011
McLaughlin & Ors v Newall
[2009] EWHC 1925 (QB) 31/07/2009
Briscoe Mitchell v Hodder & Stoughton Ltd & Anr, Associated Newspapers Limited (non-party)
[2008] EWHC 2852 (QB) 21/11/2008
Club La Costa (UK) PLC v (1) Toby Gebhard (2) Inventory Solutions (UK) Limited
[2008] EWHC 2552 (QB); [2008] WLR (D) 332 24/10/2008
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (CA)
[2007] EWCA Civ 583; [2007] FSR 29; (2007) HRLR 33; (2007) BusLR 1456; (2007) 97 BMLR 1; (2007) 30(8) IPD 30052; The Times, 27 June 2007 20/06/2007
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (ChD)
[2007] EWHC 972 (Ch); [2007] FSR 28; (2007) 30(6) IPD 30043 26/04/2007
Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others (No.3)
[2006] EWHC 3289 (QB); [2007] 94 BMLR 1 21/12/2006
Al Amoudi v Brisard & Another
[2006] EWHC 1062 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 113; [2006] 3 All ER 294 16/05/2006
Bunt v Tilley & Others
[2006] EWHC 407 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 1243; [2006] 3 All ER 336; [2006] EMLR 523 10/03/2006
Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others
[2005] EWHC 2410 (QB) 04/11/2005
Creative Resins International Ltd v Glasslam Europe Ltd & Others
[2005] EWHC 777 (QB) 03/05/2005
Jameel & Another v Times Newspapers Ltd (CA)
[2004] EWCA Civ 983; [2004] EMLR 665 21/07/2004
Foster & Another v Associated Newspapers Limited
[2002] EWHC 1885 (QB) 13/09/2002
McManus v Beckham
[2002] EWCA Civ 939; [2002] EMLR 880; [2002] 1 WLR 2982 04/07/2002
Privacy and Confidence
Matthew Cooper & Anr v Mark Turrell
[2011] EWHC 3269 (QB) 12/12/2011
BBC v HarperCollins Publishers Limited & Ors
[2010] EWHC 2424 (Ch) 04/10/2010
The Author of a Blog v Times Newspapers Ltd
[2009] EWHC 1358 (QB) 16/06/2009
Briscoe Mitchell v Hodder & Stoughton Ltd & Anr, Associated Newspapers Limited (non-party)
[2008] EWHC 2852 (QB) 21/11/2008
Murray v Big Pictures (UK) Ltd (CA)
[2008] EWCA Civ 446; [2008] 3 WLR 1360; [2008] EMLR 399; [2008] EHRR 736; [2008] 2 FLR 599; [2008] HRLR 33; [2008] UKHRR 736; The Times, 12 May 2008 07/05/2008
Northern Rock PLC v Financial Times Limited & Others
[2007] EWHC 2677 (QB) 16/11/2007
Murray v Express Newspapers plc & Another
[2007] EWHC 1908 (Ch); [2007] EMLR 583; [2007] 3 FCR 331; [2007] HRLR 44; [2007] UKHRR 1322; [2007] Fam Law 1073; (2007) 157 NLJ 1199; (2008) 1 FLR 704; The Times, 4 October 2007 07/08/2007
RWD Technologies Ltd v Gibbs & Others
[2002] 8 CL 42 12/12/2001
Intellectual Property
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (CA)
[2007] EWCA Civ 583; [2007] FSR 29; (2007) HRLR 33; (2007) BusLR 1456; (2007) 97 BMLR 1; (2007) 30(8) IPD 30052; The Times, 27 June 2007 20/06/2007
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (ChD)
[2007] EWHC 972 (Ch); [2007] FSR 28; (2007) 30(6) IPD 30043 26/04/2007
Psychology Press Limited v Nelson Thornes Limited & Another
[2002] EWHC 1205 (QB) 19/06/2002
RWD Technologies Ltd v Gibbs & Others
[2002] 8 CL 42 12/12/2001
Data Protection
Murray v Big Pictures (UK) Ltd (CA)
[2008] EWCA Civ 446; [2008] 3 WLR 1360; [2008] EMLR 399; [2008] EHRR 736; [2008] 2 FLR 599; [2008] HRLR 33; [2008] UKHRR 736; The Times, 12 May 2008 07/05/2008
Murray v Express Newspapers plc & Another
[2007] EWHC 1908 (Ch); [2007] EMLR 583; [2007] 3 FCR 331; [2007] HRLR 44; [2007] UKHRR 1322; [2007] Fam Law 1073; (2007) 157 NLJ 1199; (2008) 1 FLR 704; The Times, 4 October 2007 07/08/2007
Pre-publication Advice
Briscoe Mitchell v Hodder & Stoughton Ltd & Anr, Associated Newspapers Limited (non-party)
[2008] EWHC 2852 (QB) 21/11/2008
Contempt
Interbrew SA v Financial Times Ltd & Others
[2002] EWCA Civ 274; [2002] EMLR 446; [2002] 2 Lloyd's Rep 229 08/03/2002
Copyright
RWD Technologies Ltd v Gibbs & Others
[2002] 8 CL 42 12/12/2001
Foreign Jurisdictions
Mengi v Hermitage (No 2)
[2012] EWHC 3445 (QB) 30/11/2012
Al Amoudi v Brisard & Another
[2006] EWHC 1062 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 113; [2006] 3 All ER 294 16/05/2006
General Common Law
Fayed v BBC
[2004] EWHC 109 (QB) 08/01/2004
Harassment
Bunt v Tilley & Others
[2006] EWHC 407 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 1243; [2006] 3 All ER 336; [2006] EMLR 523 10/03/2006
Human Rights
Mengi v Hermitage (No 2)
[2012] EWHC 3445 (QB) 30/11/2012
Mengi v Hermitage (security for costs appeal)
[2012] EWHC 2045 (QB) 20/07/2012
Northern Rock PLC v Financial Times Limited & Others
[2007] EWHC 2677 (QB) 16/11/2007
Psychology Press Limited v Nelson Thornes Limited & Another
[2002] EWHC 1205 (QB) 19/06/2002
Interbrew SA v Financial Times Ltd & Others
[2002] EWCA Civ 274; [2002] EMLR 446; [2002] 2 Lloyd's Rep 229 08/03/2002
Injunctive Relief
Matthew Cooper & Anr v Mark Turrell
[2011] EWHC 3269 (QB) 12/12/2011
BBC v HarperCollins Publishers Limited & Ors
[2010] EWHC 2424 (Ch) 04/10/2010
Northern Rock PLC v Financial Times Limited & Others
[2007] EWHC 2677 (QB) 16/11/2007
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (CA)
[2007] EWCA Civ 583; [2007] FSR 29; (2007) HRLR 33; (2007) BusLR 1456; (2007) 97 BMLR 1; (2007) 30(8) IPD 30052; The Times, 27 June 2007 20/06/2007
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (ChD)
[2007] EWHC 972 (Ch); [2007] FSR 28; (2007) 30(6) IPD 30043 26/04/2007
Fayed v BBC
[2004] EWHC 109 (QB) 08/01/2004
Psychology Press Limited v Nelson Thornes Limited & Another
[2002] EWHC 1205 (QB) 19/06/2002
RWD Technologies Ltd v Gibbs & Others
[2002] 8 CL 42 12/12/2001
Malicious Falsehood
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (CA)
[2007] EWCA Civ 583; [2007] FSR 29; (2007) HRLR 33; (2007) BusLR 1456; (2007) 97 BMLR 1; (2007) 30(8) IPD 30052; The Times, 27 June 2007 20/06/2007
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (ChD)
[2007] EWHC 972 (Ch); [2007] FSR 28; (2007) 30(6) IPD 30043 26/04/2007
Media Law
Al Amoudi v Kifle & Another
[2013] EWHC 293 (QB) 13/02/2013
Matthew Cooper & Anr v Mark Turrell
[2011] EWHC 3269 (QB) 12/12/2011
BBC v HarperCollins Publishers Limited & Ors
[2010] EWHC 2424 (Ch) 04/10/2010
The Author of a Blog v Times Newspapers Ltd
[2009] EWHC 1358 (QB) 16/06/2009
Briscoe Mitchell v Hodder & Stoughton Ltd & Anr, Associated Newspapers Limited (non-party)
[2008] EWHC 2852 (QB) 21/11/2008
Club La Costa (UK) PLC v (1) Toby Gebhard (2) Inventory Solutions (UK) Limited
[2008] EWHC 2552 (QB); [2008] WLR (D) 332 24/10/2008
Murray v Big Pictures (UK) Ltd (CA)
[2008] EWCA Civ 446; [2008] 3 WLR 1360; [2008] EMLR 399; [2008] EHRR 736; [2008] 2 FLR 599; [2008] HRLR 33; [2008] UKHRR 736; The Times, 12 May 2008 07/05/2008
Northern Rock PLC v Financial Times Limited & Others
[2007] EWHC 2677 (QB) 16/11/2007
Murray v Express Newspapers plc & Another
[2007] EWHC 1908 (Ch); [2007] EMLR 583; [2007] 3 FCR 331; [2007] HRLR 44; [2007] UKHRR 1322; [2007] Fam Law 1073; (2007) 157 NLJ 1199; (2008) 1 FLR 704; The Times, 4 October 2007 07/08/2007
Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others (No.3)
[2006] EWHC 3289 (QB); [2007] 94 BMLR 1 21/12/2006
Al Amoudi v Brisard & Another
[2006] EWHC 1062 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 113; [2006] 3 All ER 294 16/05/2006
Bunt v Tilley & Others
[2006] EWHC 407 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 1243; [2006] 3 All ER 336; [2006] EMLR 523 10/03/2006
Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others
[2005] EWHC 2410 (QB) 04/11/2005
Creative Resins International Ltd v Glasslam Europe Ltd & Others
[2005] EWHC 777 (QB) 03/05/2005
Jameel & Another v Times Newspapers Ltd (CA)
[2004] EWCA Civ 983; [2004] EMLR 665 21/07/2004
Fayed v BBC
[2004] EWHC 109 (QB) 08/01/2004
Foster & Another v Associated Newspapers Limited
[2002] EWHC 1885 (QB) 13/09/2002
Psychology Press Limited v Nelson Thornes Limited & Another
[2002] EWHC 1205 (QB) 19/06/2002
Interbrew SA v Financial Times Ltd & Others
[2002] EWCA Civ 274; [2002] EMLR 446; [2002] 2 Lloyd's Rep 229 08/03/2002
Public Law
Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others (No.3)
[2006] EWHC 3289 (QB); [2007] 94 BMLR 1 21/12/2006
Publishing
The Author of a Blog v Times Newspapers Ltd
[2009] EWHC 1358 (QB) 16/06/2009
Briscoe Mitchell v Hodder & Stoughton Ltd & Anr, Associated Newspapers Limited (non-party)
[2008] EWHC 2852 (QB) 21/11/2008
Murray v Big Pictures (UK) Ltd (CA)
[2008] EWCA Civ 446; [2008] 3 WLR 1360; [2008] EMLR 399; [2008] EHRR 736; [2008] 2 FLR 599; [2008] HRLR 33; [2008] UKHRR 736; The Times, 12 May 2008 07/05/2008
Northern Rock PLC v Financial Times Limited & Others
[2007] EWHC 2677 (QB) 16/11/2007
Foster & Another v Associated Newspapers Limited
[2002] EWHC 1885 (QB) 13/09/2002
Psychology Press Limited v Nelson Thornes Limited & Another
[2002] EWHC 1205 (QB) 19/06/2002
Interbrew SA v Financial Times Ltd & Others
[2002] EWCA Civ 274; [2002] EMLR 446; [2002] 2 Lloyd's Rep 229 08/03/2002
Trade Marks
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (CA)
[2007] EWCA Civ 583; [2007] FSR 29; (2007) HRLR 33; (2007) BusLR 1456; (2007) 97 BMLR 1; (2007) 30(8) IPD 30052; The Times, 27 June 2007 20/06/2007
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (ChD)
[2007] EWHC 972 (Ch); [2007] FSR 28; (2007) 30(6) IPD 30043 26/04/2007
Articles
Non-disclosure injunctions - the new landscape
By Jonathan Barnes. 24 Oct 2012
Are the hunters becoming the hunted?
By Jonathan Barnes. 19 Nov 2009
Abuse of Email and Internet
By Sara Mansoori and Jonathan Barnes. 9 Jul 2007
Amending CPR 5.4 - Access to statements of case
By Jonathan Barnes. 1 Mar 2007
Freedom of Information Act 2000: enhanced access to information
By Jonathan Barnes. 24 Nov 2004
Harry Potter and the John Doe injunction
By Jonathan Barnes. 1 Nov 2003
CPR disclosure and the Data Protection Act 1998
By Jonathan Barnes. 31 Jul 2003
When is a judge not a judge?
By Jonathan Barnes. 1 Jun 2003
Grobbelaar: Pyrrhic victory as libel jury's verdict restored.
By Sara Mansoori and Jonathan Barnes. 1 Feb 2003
Cartoons and the law of libel
By Jonathan Barnes. 1 Jun 2002
News
31 Oct 2012
5RB Sponsors National Pro Bono Centre
Chambers continues support for Pro Bono work as Bronze Sponsor
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
2 Sep 2010
Stig injunction refused
Court declines to grant interim injunction restraining book publication
15 Apr 2010
Durand School receives libel apology
Father of trainee teacher joins in High Court apology, pays damages and costs
24 Sep 2009
5RB's juniors: the Legal 500 verdict
What the legal directory had to say about 5RB's junior barristers
16 Jun 2009
The Times free to identify blog author
Court refuses interim confidence and privacy injunction applications
28 Oct 2008
Lords refuse leave in Murray
Pushchair privacy claim brought by J.K. Rowling's son to proceed to trial
7 May 2008
Pushchair privacy appeal succeeds
CA reinstates photograph claim and says it must proceed to trial
10 Mar 2008
Pushchair privacy case goes to appeal
J.K. Rowling's son seeks to overturn High Court judgment on photograph
14 Nov 2007
Northern Rock granted injunction against Financial Times
Further reporting of confidential documents prohibited
20 Sep 2007
5RB tops Legal 500
20 Barristers rated and recommended in Defamation, Privacy, Intellectual Property, Sport and Media & Entertainment Law
22 Jun 2007
J. K. Rowling's son in privacy fight
Photo agency seeks dismissal of claim in relation to pictures of author's child
1 Dec 2006
No retrospective public access to court documents
Law Society secures change to CPR amendments
10 Mar 2006
Practical immunity for ISPs confirmed
High Court rules on liability for third party postings on the Web
5 Apr 2005
5RB Speaker Updates Disclosure Conference
Disclosure, Evidence and Privilege Conference 2005