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William Bennett
Profile
William is a leading specialist in actions concerning defamation, breach of confidence and the misuse of private information. In defamation he has been involved in leading cases, often in the Court of Appeal, on withdrawing issues from juries (Alexander v Arts Council of Wales), interim injunctions (Holley v Smyth), offers of amends (Milne v Express Newspapers, Diana Rigg v Associated Newspapers, Jimmy Nail v News Group, Warren v Random House), qualified privilege (Wood v West Midlands Police) jurisdiction (Harrods v. Dow Jones, Lennon v Daily Record), Reynolds privilege (Flood v Times Newspapers), fair comment (Joseph v Spiller) and damages (Purnell v Business F1).
Recent cases of note include: acting as Frank Warren’s junior in his successful claim against Random House which settled in his favour following a string of victories at first instance and in the Court of Appeal; acting as Gary Flood's junior in defeating at trial a Reynolds privilege defence re publication of an article on its internet edition; and acting for the Motown tribute band the Gillettes in the Court of Appeal in upholding a strike out of a fair comment defence. This case is due to be heard by the Supreme Court where William will act as the Claimants' sole advocate.
William particularly enjoys appearing before juries, building on the experience gained at the beginning of his career in criminal practice. Most notably, he secured a jury damages award of £75,000 for his client in Purnell v. Business F1 Magazine, which exceeded the trial judge's recommended ceiling of £60,000, which decision was then upheld by the Court of Appeal.
Earlier in 2010 he gave a presentation to the European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee on the current state of English defamation law.
He is a CEDR accredited mediator and has a good knowledge of CFA costs issues.
Whilst William’s clients include the usual staple of tabloid newspapers and celebrities, he is also known for representing the less wealthy, whether claimant or defendant. For instance, he is currently acting for a Haringey social worker, Sylvia Henry, in her claims against Haringey Council and a number of newspapers in regard to allegations concerning her involvement in the Baby P case. He is also acting for a Tamil hunger striker in claims against the Sun and the Daily Mail.
Career
Called
1994 Called to the Bar
Education
Bancroft's School
The University of Liverpool, BA History (incl.sabbatical year as President of the Students' Union)
Common Professional Examination (College of Law)
Bar Vocational Course (Inns of Court School of Law)
Areas of work
- Defamation
- Privacy and Confidence
- Data Protection
- Reporting the Courts
- Mediation
- Contempt
- Injunctive Relief
- Malicious Falsehood
- Professional Negligence
Verbatim
Demonstrates real strength in all he does. He is self-reliant, fearless and an amazing one-man band when he needs to be.
Chambers & Partners 2009
William’s approach to the claim was 1st class throughout. He was cheerful, unpretentious, readily available when called upon and able to respond to the actions of an unpredictable opposition. At trial his strategy and straight-forward manner ensured that the client’s case was perfectly presented. I am continuing to instruct William and hope that we can remain a successful team.
Dominic Crossley – Partner, Collyer Bristow
Testimonials
Consistently recommended as a leading defamation junior in both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.
In Chambers he has been described as "a confident advocate" and in the 2009 edition as someone: “capable of running things without hand-holding”; demonstrating “real strength in all he does”; “He is self-reliant, fearless and an amazing one-man band when he needs to be.”
Publications
(26 Jan 2006)
Cases
Defamation
Joseph & others v Spiller & another
[2009] EWCA Civ 1075 22/10/2009
RFS Capital LLC & RFS Capital BV v MD7 Europe & Michael Gianni
6 October 2009 06/10/2009
Flood v Times Newspapers Ltd
[2009] EWHC 2375 (QB); [2010] EMLR 8 02/10/2009
Flood v Times Newspapers Ltd (Third Party Disclosure)
[2009] EWHC 411 (QB); [2009] EMLR 18 05/03/2009
H v Tomlinson
[2008] EWCA Civ 1258 12/11/2008
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (Nos.1-3) (CA)
[2008] EWCA Civ 834; [2009] QB 600; [2009] EMLR 1 16/07/2008
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (No.3)
[2007] EWHC 3062 (QB) 20/12/2007
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (No.2)
[2007] EWHC 2860 (QB) 05/12/2007
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd
[2007] EWHC 2856 (QB); [2008] 2 WLR 1033 05/12/2007
Jones v Associated Newspapers Limited
[2007] EWHC 1489 (QB); [2008] 1 AllER 240; [2008] EMLR 6 25/06/2007
Purnell v F1 Business Magazine Ltd & Another
[2007] EWCA Civ 744; [2008] 1 WLR 1 18/04/2007
Tierney v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No.2) (Costs)
[2006] EWHC 3275 (QB) 20/12/2006
Radu v Houston & Another (CA)
[2006] EWCA Civ 1575; The Times, 1 January 2007 22/11/2006
Loughton Contracts Plc v Dun & Bradstreet Ltd
[2006] EWHC 1224 (QB) 25/05/2006
Purnell v Business F1 Magazine Ltd & Another
14 March 2006 14/03/2006
Radu v Houston & Another
[2006] EWHC 231 (QB) 07/03/2006
Tierney v News Group Newspapers Ltd
[2006] EWHC 50 (QB) 26/01/2006
Nail v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Others (CA)
[2004] EWCA Civ 1708; [2005] 1 All ER 1040; [2005] EMLR 257; The Times 6 Jan 2005; The Independent 14 Jan 2005 20/12/2004
Wood v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police (CA)
[2004] EWCA Civ 1638; [2005] EMLR 449; The Times, 13 December 2004 08/12/2004
Milne v Express Newspapers (CA)
[2004] EWCA Civ 664; [2005] 1 WLR 772; [2005] 1 All ER 1021; [2004] EMLR 461 27/05/2004
Nail v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Others (QBD)
[2004] EWHC 647 (QB); [2004] EMLR 362 26/03/2004
Lennon v Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail
[2004] EWHC 359 (QB); [2004] EMLR 332 02/03/2004
Wood v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police
[2003] EWHC 2971 (QB), [2004] EMLR 310 08/12/2003
Milne v Express Newspapers (No.2)
[2003] EWHC 1843 (QB) 10/07/2003
Harrods Ltd v Dow Jones & Co Inc
[2003] EWHC 1162 (QB) 22/05/2003
Bennett & Another v BBC & Another
[2003] EWHC 553 (QB) 20/03/2003
Rigg v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2003] EWHC 710 (QB); [2004] EMLR 52 07/03/2003
Milne v Express Newspapers (QBD)
[2002] EWHC 2564 (QB); [2003] 1 WLR 927; [2003] 1 All ER 482; [2003] EMLR 440 29/11/2002
Fayed v Telegraph Group Ltd
[2002] EWHC 1631 (QB) 24/07/2002
Alexander v Arts Council of Wales
[2001] EWCA Civ 514; [2001] 1 WLR 1840; [2001] EMLR 713; [2001] 4 All ER 205 09/04/2001
Milne v Telegraph Group Ltd
[2001] EMLR 760 02/02/2001
Holley v Smyth
[1998] QB 726; [1998] 2 WLR 742; [1998] 1 All ER 853 04/12/1997
Broxton v McClelland (No.2)
[1996] EWCA Civ 955; [1997] EMLR 157 14/11/1996
Broxton v McClelland
[1995] EMLR 485 30/01/1995
Privacy and Confidence
H v Tomlinson
[2008] EWCA Civ 1258 12/11/2008
John v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2006] EWHC 1611 (QB); [2006] EMLR 772 23/06/2006
Sports Law
Lennon v Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail
[2004] EWHC 359 (QB); [2004] EMLR 332 02/03/2004
Data Protection
Quinton v Peirce & Cooper
[2009] EWHC 912 (QB) 30/04/2009
Reporting the Courts
R v Burrell
20 December 2004 20/12/2004
Contempt
R v Burrell
20 December 2004 20/12/2004
Human Rights
H v Tomlinson
[2008] EWCA Civ 1258 12/11/2008
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (Nos.1-3) (CA)
[2008] EWCA Civ 834; [2009] QB 600; [2009] EMLR 1 16/07/2008
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (No.2)
[2007] EWHC 2860 (QB) 05/12/2007
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd
[2007] EWHC 2856 (QB); [2008] 2 WLR 1033 05/12/2007
R v Burrell
20 December 2004 20/12/2004
Holley v Smyth
[1998] QB 726; [1998] 2 WLR 742; [1998] 1 All ER 853 04/12/1997
Injunctive Relief
John v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2006] EWHC 1611 (QB); [2006] EMLR 772 23/06/2006
Holley v Smyth
[1998] QB 726; [1998] 2 WLR 742; [1998] 1 All ER 853 04/12/1997
Malicious Falsehood
Quinton v Peirce & Cooper
[2009] EWHC 912 (QB) 30/04/2009
Media Law
Joseph & others v Spiller & another
[2009] EWCA Civ 1075 22/10/2009
Flood v Times Newspapers Ltd
[2009] EWHC 2375 (QB); [2010] EMLR 8 02/10/2009
Flood v Times Newspapers Ltd (Third Party Disclosure)
[2009] EWHC 411 (QB); [2009] EMLR 18 05/03/2009
H v Tomlinson
[2008] EWCA Civ 1258 12/11/2008
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (Nos.1-3) (CA)
[2008] EWCA Civ 834; [2009] QB 600; [2009] EMLR 1 16/07/2008
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (No.3)
[2007] EWHC 3062 (QB) 20/12/2007
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (No.2)
[2007] EWHC 2860 (QB) 05/12/2007
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd
[2007] EWHC 2856 (QB); [2008] 2 WLR 1033 05/12/2007
Jones v Associated Newspapers Limited
[2007] EWHC 1489 (QB); [2008] 1 AllER 240; [2008] EMLR 6 25/06/2007
Purnell v F1 Business Magazine Ltd & Another
[2007] EWCA Civ 744; [2008] 1 WLR 1 18/04/2007
Tierney v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No.2) (Costs)
[2006] EWHC 3275 (QB) 20/12/2006
Radu v Houston & Another (CA)
[2006] EWCA Civ 1575; The Times, 1 January 2007 22/11/2006
John v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2006] EWHC 1611 (QB); [2006] EMLR 772 23/06/2006
Loughton Contracts Plc v Dun & Bradstreet Ltd
[2006] EWHC 1224 (QB) 25/05/2006
Purnell v Business F1 Magazine Ltd & Another
14 March 2006 14/03/2006
Tierney v News Group Newspapers Ltd
[2006] EWHC 50 (QB) 26/01/2006
Nail v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Others (CA)
[2004] EWCA Civ 1708; [2005] 1 All ER 1040; [2005] EMLR 257; The Times 6 Jan 2005; The Independent 14 Jan 2005 20/12/2004
R v Burrell
20 December 2004 20/12/2004
Milne v Express Newspapers (CA)
[2004] EWCA Civ 664; [2005] 1 WLR 772; [2005] 1 All ER 1021; [2004] EMLR 461 27/05/2004
Nail v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Others (QBD)
[2004] EWHC 647 (QB); [2004] EMLR 362 26/03/2004
Lennon v Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail
[2004] EWHC 359 (QB); [2004] EMLR 332 02/03/2004
Milne v Express Newspapers (No.2)
[2003] EWHC 1843 (QB) 10/07/2003
Harrods Ltd v Dow Jones & Co Inc
[2003] EWHC 1162 (QB) 22/05/2003
Bennett & Another v BBC & Another
[2003] EWHC 553 (QB) 20/03/2003
Rigg v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2003] EWHC 710 (QB); [2004] EMLR 52 07/03/2003
Milne v Express Newspapers (QBD)
[2002] EWHC 2564 (QB); [2003] 1 WLR 927; [2003] 1 All ER 482; [2003] EMLR 440 29/11/2002
Fayed v Telegraph Group Ltd
[2002] EWHC 1631 (QB) 24/07/2002
Milne v Telegraph Group Ltd
[2001] EMLR 760 02/02/2001
Publishing
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (Nos.1-3) (CA)
[2008] EWCA Civ 834; [2009] QB 600; [2009] EMLR 1 16/07/2008
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (No.3)
[2007] EWHC 3062 (QB) 20/12/2007
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (No.2)
[2007] EWHC 2860 (QB) 05/12/2007
Warren v The Random House Group Ltd
[2007] EWHC 2856 (QB); [2008] 2 WLR 1033 05/12/2007
Milne v Express Newspapers (No.2)
[2003] EWHC 1843 (QB) 10/07/2003
Harrods Ltd v Dow Jones & Co Inc
[2003] EWHC 1162 (QB) 22/05/2003
Bennett & Another v BBC & Another
[2003] EWHC 553 (QB) 20/03/2003
Rigg v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2003] EWHC 710 (QB); [2004] EMLR 52 07/03/2003
Milne v Express Newspapers (QBD)
[2002] EWHC 2564 (QB); [2003] 1 WLR 927; [2003] 1 All ER 482; [2003] EMLR 440 29/11/2002
Fayed v Telegraph Group Ltd
[2002] EWHC 1631 (QB) 24/07/2002
Milne v Telegraph Group Ltd
[2001] EMLR 760 02/02/2001
Articles
The Jury's Out
By William Bennett. 25 May 2010
Think Again
By William Bennett. 18 May 2010
Presentation to EU Parliament Legal Affairs Committee
By William Bennett. 9 Mar 2010
Libel: extending the limitation period
By William Bennett. 28 Jan 2002
News
13 Jul 2010
Flood wins Reynolds appeal
Court of Appeal overturns finding that Times article was protected by Reynolds privilege
8 Feb 2010
Supreme Court to hear fair comment appeal
Joseph v Spiller first fair comment case to reach highest appeal court since 1992
1 Feb 2010
EU Parliament hears evidence on UK defamation law
5RB's William Bennett gives presentation to Committee on Legal Affairs
13 Oct 2009
Wine connoisseur toasts victory
Libel action re record-breaking 1985 Christie's wine auction concludes
24 Sep 2009
5RB's juniors: the Legal 500 verdict
What the legal directory had to say about 5RB's junior barristers
17 Sep 2008
Sheffield Wednesday FC drop libel claims against fans
Internet libel claim over comments on supporters' website withdrawn
3 Sep 2008
Publisher settles Warren libel action
Boxing Promoter to receive £115,000 from Random House for Ricky Hatton book
16 Jul 2008
Warren wins offer of amends appeal
Court of Appeal rejects Random House’s justification bid in Ricky Hatton libel case
12 Mar 2008
Bid to injunct Channel 4 fails
Interview with Equatorial Guinea coup attempt 'manager' is broadcast
14 Feb 2008
Pharmacist loses slander action
Jury find against Claimant as dispute at Sikh Temple reaches conclusion
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
19 Apr 2007
£75k jury award upheld on appeal
Judges need not always take prior judgment into account on damages
21 Mar 2007
Formula One libel actions conclude
Woods secures £10,000 under summary disposal and Rubython secures £17,500 following jury trial
24 Oct 2005
Chambers' Review: 5RB top again
20 barristers recommended for Media, Entertainment, Defamation, Privacy, Intellectual Property & Sports Law
20 Dec 2004
Reporting restrictions refused in Burrell rape trial
Complainant fails to prevent publication of details of her complaint