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Jonathan Barnes
Profile
Jonathan's practice ranges from defamation, privacy, data protection and confidence through to freedom of information, publishing, broadcasting and advertising. He also undertakes commercial, contract and agency cases, including sports disputes. He regularly advises on urgent reputation, privacy and confidence issues.
His notable cases include: McManus v Beckham, on the rules of causation and remoteness in defamation; Al Amoudi v Brisard and Bunt v Tilley, concerning English law's response to publication on the Internet; Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd v Vetplus Ltd, on interim injunctions in relation to comparative advertising; Northern Rock Plc v Financial Times, over the publication of a leaked advice memorandum; Murray v Big Pictures Ltd, the JK Rowling pushchair privacy claim; and The Author of a Blog v Times Newspapers, on the legal enforceability of blogger anonymity.
He has extensive experience in libel actions featuring complex technical, scientific, medical or commercial issues, for example: Foster v Associated Newspapers, on the reconstruction of the South Portico at the British Museum; Wakefield v Channel 4, concerning MMR immunisation; Boehringer v Vetplus (above), involving the chemical composition of nutritional canine supplements; and GE Healthcare v Henrik Thomsen, on the debate over the safety of a medical scanning agent.
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. He provides pre-publication advice to commercial publishers.
Career
Called
1999 Called to the Bar
Education
University College, Oxford, BA(Hons), Jurisprudence, 1990
Qualifications
Former solicitor (Richards Butler), 1993-1999
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
“The ‘outstanding quality of junior counsel’ includes Jonathan Barnes, who has an ex-solicitor’s experience in handling paperwork, alongside an ability to present corporate claims cogently.” – Legal 500, 2010
“Also popular, the "astute, articulate and pragmatic" Jonathan Barnes "has a wealth of authority at his fingertips and is always totally up to speed."” – Chambers & Partners, 2010
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
Council of the Inns of Court Conduct and Practice Tribunals member
Bar Pro Bono Unit: panel counsel and case reviewer
JUSTICE
Publications
(26 Jan 2006)
Cases
Defamation
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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