Greg Callus

Greg Callus

Greg Callus joined 5RB in 2015. He specialises primarily in defamation, contempt of court, confidentiality, data protection/privacy (including class actions), and freedom of information. Under the Cab-Rank Rule, he acts for both claimants and defendants, and frequently appears at hearings concerning the open justice principle (anonymity, reporting restrictions & access to court documents) both for and against the media.

Greg has particular expertise in jurisdiction and conflicts of law in relation to digital technology and non-contractual liability, and has appeared in many of the recent cases on jurisdiction in the High Court and Court of Appeal. He is also one of a handful of junior barristers to specialise in electoral law.

Greg is also a contributing editor to The White Book (Contempt of Court: commentary on CPR Part 81 and Section 3C), and is contributing to the chapter on jurisdiction in the forthcoming edition of Law of Privacy & the Media.

Before becoming a barrister, Greg was a Fulbright Scholar at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. On his return from New York, he worked full-time in online community moderation at The Guardian during full-time law school. He was awarded Lord Haldane and Lord Denning Scholarships by Lincoln’s Inn, where he was called to the Bar in October 2012.

After pupillage, Greg worked for the senior judiciary at the Royal Courts of Justice: first as the Judicial Assistant to the President of the Queen’s Bench Division (the Rt. Hon. Sir Brian Leveson P); then moving into Private Office as acting Legal Secretary to the Lord Chief Justice of England & Wales (the Rt. Hon. The Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd CJ). He assisted his judges in devolution cases in the UK Supreme Court, appeals in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions of the Court of Appeal and in the Court Martial Appeal Court, and judicial reviews in Divisional Courts of the (then) Queen’s Bench Division.

From the closure of the Press Complaints Commission in September 2014 until the end of December 2021, Greg was also the inaugural Editorial Complaints Commissioner at the Financial Times. His successor in the role is now 5RB colleague Christina Michalos KC.

Greg is Direct Access qualified, but is not generally accepting new instructions on this basis in the immediate future.

RECENT CASES

Appellate Courts

High Court Trials

Jurisdiction Challenges

Interim Injunctions

Heavy Strike-Out/Summary Judgment

Election Law & Judicial Review

Tribunals

Family Division

Crown Court

  • R v Hamayoon & Syed (‘the Poppy Terror Trial’) acted for media (BBC, Associated Newspapers, Times Newspapers, News Group Newspapers) in lifting Reporting Restrictions (Woolwich Crown Court);
  • R v Murphy & Smith – acted for The Sun in resisting witness anonymity for Danny Cipriani in the trial of his blackmailers (Richmond Crown Court).
  • R v Dering & ors – acted for the BBC in relation to lifting section 4(2) Contempt of Court Act 1981 orders in linked trials at different Crown Courts (Southwark & Croydon) of conjoined fraud conspiracies;
  • R v Shaw – resisted a witness summons for unbroadcast material on behalf of the BBC (Inner London Crown Court);
  • R v Barnes & Wilkinson – set-aside a witness summons on behalf of the BBC (Central Criminal Court);
  • R v Jones (aka Bennell) – resisting PACE Production Order applications made at-trial against The Guardian and BBC (Liverpool Crown Court);
  • R v Higgins – resisting a s.4(2) order for the BBC (Salisbury Crown Court);
  • R v Ormond – resisting a PACE Production Order application made at trial against the BBC (Newcastle Crown Court);
  • R v Rahman – setting-aside a witness summons against the media (Minshull St. (Manchester) Crown Court);
  • R v Whiddett – setting aside a s.11 order for The Sun & the Daily Mail (Croydon Crown Court).

Other Cases

  • Instructed for Laurence Fox in three libel claims and counterclaims arising out of Twitter publication: Blake, Seymour & Thorp v Fox (Jury Trial) [2021] EWHC 3463 (QB); [2022] 4 WLR 77; [2023] EMLR 4; and a consequential decision on admissibility of context: [2022] EWHC 2726 (QB). The 3rd claimant’s claim was dismissed by the Court of Appeal [2023] EWCA Civ 1000, and the remaining two claims and three counterclaims were tried by Collins Rice J DBE CB [2024] EWHC 146 (KB);
  • Acted for Craig Wright (with Tim Grey) in the contempt proceedings brought of the Court’s own motion under CPR r.81.6. The contempt summons was discharged by the Divisional Court (Warby LJ & Nicklin J): [2023] EWHC 1030 (KB);
  • Sarah Ferguson v Mazher Mahmood & News Group Newspapersinstructed for the claimant (led by Andrew Hunter KC & Stephen Ferguson) in a case over the ‘Fake Sheikh’ sting of the Duchess of York;
  • Instructed on a number of civil cases arising out of Image-Based Sexual Abuse (sometimes called ‘Revenge Porn’), including Chrissy Chambers v DCR & VHP (led by Alexandra Marzec) and Douglas (Administratrix of the Estate of Susanne Hinte) v News Group Newspapers (sole counsel), both of which led to settlement and a Statement in Open Court;
  • Acted for the daughter of Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard, setting a claim against Associated Newspapers;
  • Instructed by the Amec Part 20 Defendants (led by James Nadin) in respect of defamation contribution claims brought by other construction firms in the Construction Industry Vetting Information Group Litigation arising out of the 2009 ICO investigation into ‘blacklisting’;
  • Alexander Perepilichnyy Inquest – sole counsel, application to the Coroner for documents on behalf of BuzzFeed News UK;
  • Harper v Capita (unreported) resisted an Unjust Enrichment claim for recovery of overpaid TV licence payments;
  • dispute concerning s.25 Sale of Goods Act 1979 (retention of title clause) in relation to film-set scaffolding;
  • prevented an auction of trademarked items in breach of licence;
  • resisting enforcement of foreign judgments at common law;
  • defended US$500,000 IFTA arbitration over movie rights, on the basis of the rule in ‘The Golden Victory’ [2007] 2 AC 353;
  • trade secrets claim (breach of confidence by commercial competitors).

Called

2012 - Lincoln's Inn Called to the Bar of England and Wales

Education

City University London, GDL & BPTC
Columbia University, MA Journalism (Fulbright Scholar)
University of York, MA Political Philosophy (distinction)
University of York, BA History & Politics (starred first class honours)

Areas of work

Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
Reporting the Courts and Contempt
Data Protection and Information Law
Privacy and Confidence
General Common Law
Injunctive Relief
Human Rights

Testimonials

For those who care about such things, since 2017 Greg has been listed as a Ranked Junior in Chambers & Partners in both Defamation/Privacy and in Data Protection. He features  in the Legal 500 (also since 2017) as a Leading Junior for Defamation & Privacy, and in Who’s Who Legal (since 2019).

Legal 500 (2017): “A very impressive junior, who is ferociously bright and carries gravitas in court way beyond his call”

Chambers & Partners (2017): “His advocacy was excellent”;”He’s a knowledgeable data protection counsel who takes no prisoners”; “Wise beyond his years, he’s got good judgement”

Legal 500 (2018): Impossible to understand how a relatively junior barrister possesses so much knowledge”

Chambers & Partners (2018): “He knows the complexities of data law like the back of his hand, and can explain concepts in an accessible way”;”A great enthusiast for the law, who gets stuck into complex legal issues”; “He has incredible academic knowledge and is very confident with solicitors and lay clients”

Who’s Who Legal (2019): ““a hard-working and fluent advocate” who stands out for his “excellent legal knowledge” when it comes to defamation and confidentiality proceedings”.

Legal 500 (2019): “Extremely bright barrister who has developed a solid reputation”.

Chambers & Partners (2020): “Greg is fearless and incredibly knowledgeable: a walking encyclopaedia of the law.”; “He has a wisdom and judgement that belies his relatively junior level of experience at the Bar.”; “Greg Callus has incredibly deep and broad legal knowledge, coupled with huge imagination and enthusiasm.” “Greg is enormously intellectually confident, and he gets involved in everything.”

Legal 500 (2020): His encyclopaedic knowledge of media law (and law more generally) is scary.

Chambers & Partners (2021): “An astute lawyer and one to watch. He projects a level of authority beyond his level of call.”; “He’s very bright and intelligent.”; “Highly regarded and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law.” ;”He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the market and he spots things that others miss.” ;”He impresses with his innovative and lateral way of thinking.”; “He has the ability to bring novel ideas to stalled situations and he can identify the optimal way to run a case.”

Chambers & Partners (2022): “”He is incredibly detailed in his submissions and very highly thought of in multi-jurisdictional cases.”; “He has an amazing breadth of law in his head.”; “He’s a strong and efficient advocate and is very determined.”; “He’s very knowledgeable and a well-known media specialist barrister.”

Chambers & Partners (2022): “Greg Callus is totally masterful on jurisdiction issues.”; “He is good on the law and has a real presence in court.”; “Greg Callus is a highly regarded junior who continues to impress with his legal prowess.”

Chambers & Partners (2023): Band 1 for Defamation & Privacy “Greg Callus is a brilliant advocate.”; “His encyclopedic knowledge of the law, coupled with a very strategic and tactical mind and outstanding advocacy skills, are a force to be reckoned with.”; “Greg is professorially clever. He can find an interesting new angle on almost anything.”

Featured cases

HRH Prince Louis of Luxembourg v HRH Princess Tessy of Luxembourg & anor

[2017] EWHC 3095 (Fam) 05/12/2017

Malaga-Cano v Barclay & ors

[2017] EWHC 1498 (QB) 30/06/2017

Bukovsky v CPS (CA)

[2017] EWCA Civ 1529 16/10/2017

Keith Singh v Joseph Weayou

[2017] EWHC 2102 (QB) 22/08/2017

Alcott v Ashworth (No. 2)

[2016] EWHC 2414 (Fam) 29/09/2016

AQA v Newsquest & ors

n/a 24/08/2016

Cartier International AG v BSkyB (CA)

[2016] EWCA Civ 658 19/08/2016

Kennedy v National Trust for Scotland

[2017] EWHC 3368 (QB) 19/01/2018

RJ v Tigipko

[2019] EWHC 105 (Fam) 25/01/2019

RJ v Tigipko 2

[2019] EWHC 448 (Fam) 01/03/2019

BBC v Independent Office for Police Conduct

[2019] UKFTT 2018_0163 (GRC) 21/01/2019

Wafic Rida Saïd v (1) Groupe L’Express (2) Guillaume Dubois

[2018] EWHC 3593 (QB) 21/12/2018

Sabados v Facebook Ireland

[2018] EWHC 2369 (QB) 03/07/2019

EuroEco Fuels (Poland) Ltd & Ors v Szczecin and Swinoujscie Seaports Authority SA & Ors

[2019] EWCA Civ 1932 11/11/2019

Napag Trading Ltd & Ors v GEDI Gruppo Editoriale S.p.A & Anor

[2020] EWHC 3034 (QB) 24/11/2020

Fortescue Metals Group & anor v (1) Argus Media Ltd (2) S&P Global Inc

[2020] EWHC 1304 (Ch) 22/05/2020

Lownie v (1) The Information Commissioner (2) National Archives (3) FCO

EA/2017/0087 09/07/2019

DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly

[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019

Hunter v Cooper & ors

[2020] EWHC 1105 (QB) 07/05/2020

Wright v Granath (CA)

[2021] EWCA Civ 28 15/01/2021

Soriano v Forensic News & ors

[2021] EWHC 56 (QB) 15/01/2021

Wright v McCormack

[2021] EWHC 2671 (QB) 08/10/2021

(1) Williams (2) Wickham-Jones (3) Lownie v (1) IC (2) FCDO

[2021] UKFTT 2019_212 (GRC) 21/01/2021

Soriano v Silverstein

[2021] EWHC 873 (QB) 13/04/2021

(1) Kumlin (2) EEW Eco Energy World plc v (1) Jonsson (2) Agerman (3) Östlund (4) Realtid Media AB

[2022] EWHC 1095 (QB) 12/05/2022

Mahmudov & Mahmudova v Goni Sanzberro & ors

[2021] EWHC 3433 (QB) 17/12/2021

Soriano v Forensic News LLC & ors

[2021] EWCA Civ 1952 21/12/2021

Dimitri Rozanov v EFG Private Bank Limited

2208031/2017 03/01/2020

Guardian News & Media v (1) Rozanov; (2) EFG Private Bank Ltd

[2022] EAT 12 23/03/2022

Lownie v FCDO

[2023] UKFTT 00397 (GRC) 04/05/2023

Muhammad v Daily The News International

[2023] EWHC 674 (KB) 30/03/2023

Clifford v Millicom Services UK Ltd

[2023] EWCA Civ 50 17/03/2023

Blake & ors v Fox (CA)

[2023] EWCA Civ 1000 11/09/2023

Blake, Seymour & Thorp v Fox

[2021] EWHC 3463 (QB) 22/12/2021

Green v (1) Hannah-Wood & (2) Rouse

[2023] EWHC 2034 (KB) 05/08/2023

R (Alexander) v Secretary of State for Justice

[2023] EWHC 1407 (Admin) 19/06/2023

(1) Millicom Services UK Ltd; (2) Frechette; (3) Viglucci; (4) Rogers v Clifford

[2022] EAT 74 16/05/2022

Millicom Services UK Limited & Ors v Michael Clifford

[2022] EAT 74 11/05/2022

Cooper v Evans & anor

[2023] EWHC 2555 (KB) 19/10/2023

Wright v McCormack (CA)

[2023] EWCA Civ 892 02/08/2023

All cases

Defamation and Malicious Falsehood

Wright v McCormack (CA)

[2023] EWCA Civ 892 02/08/2023

Soriano v Forensic News LLC & ors

[2021] EWCA Civ 1952 21/12/2021

Mahmudov & Mahmudova v Goni Sanzberro & ors

[2021] EWHC 3433 (QB) 17/12/2021

Wright v McCormack

[2021] EWHC 2671 (QB) 08/10/2021

Soriano v Silverstein

[2021] EWHC 873 (QB) 13/04/2021

Soriano v Forensic News & ors

[2021] EWHC 56 (QB) 15/01/2021

Wright v Granath (CA)

[2021] EWCA Civ 28 15/01/2021

Napag Trading Ltd & Ors v GEDI Gruppo Editoriale S.p.A & Anor

[2020] EWHC 3034 (QB) 24/11/2020

EuroEco Fuels (Poland) Ltd & Ors v Szczecin and Swinoujscie Seaports Authority SA & Ors

[2019] EWCA Civ 1932 11/11/2019

Wafic Rida Saïd v (1) Groupe L’Express (2) Guillaume Dubois

[2018] EWHC 3593 (QB) 21/12/2018

Privacy and Confidence

Canary Riverside Estate Management Ltd & Ors v Coates

[2021] EWHC 1505 (Ch) 22/07/2021

Soriano v Forensic News & ors

[2021] EWHC 56 (QB) 15/01/2021

Fortescue Metals Group & anor v (1) Argus Media Ltd (2) S&P Global Inc

[2020] EWHC 1304 (Ch) 22/05/2020

DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly

[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019

Alcott v Ashworth (No. 2)

[2016] EWHC 2414 (Fam) 29/09/2016

AQA v Newsquest & ors

n/a 24/08/2016

Harassment

DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly

[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019

Reporting the Courts and Contempt

Clifford v Millicom Services UK Ltd

[2023] EWCA Civ 50 17/03/2023

Millicom Services UK Limited & Ors v Michael Clifford

[2022] EAT 74 11/05/2022

Guardian News & Media v (1) Rozanov; (2) EFG Private Bank Ltd

[2022] EAT 12 23/03/2022

Dimitri Rozanov v EFG Private Bank Limited

2208031/2017 03/01/2020

R (BBC) v Newcastle Crown Court

[2019] EWHC 2756; [2020] 1 Cr App R 16; [2020] EMLR 8; [2020] Crim LR 247 05/05/2020

RJ v Tigipko 2

[2019] EWHC 448 (Fam) 01/03/2019

RJ v Tigipko

[2019] EWHC 105 (Fam) 25/01/2019

HRH Prince Louis of Luxembourg v HRH Princess Tessy of Luxembourg & anor

[2017] EWHC 3095 (Fam) 05/12/2017

Alcott v Ashworth (No. 2)

[2016] EWHC 2414 (Fam) 29/09/2016

AQA v Newsquest & ors

n/a 24/08/2016

Injunctive Relief

Fortescue Metals Group & anor v (1) Argus Media Ltd (2) S&P Global Inc

[2020] EWHC 1304 (Ch) 22/05/2020

DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly

[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019

Wafic Rida Saïd v (1) Groupe L’Express (2) Guillaume Dubois

[2018] EWHC 3593 (QB) 21/12/2018

Alcott v Ashworth (No. 2)

[2016] EWHC 2414 (Fam) 29/09/2016

AQA v Newsquest & ors

n/a 24/08/2016

Cartier International AG v BSkyB (CA)

[2016] EWCA Civ 658 19/08/2016

Intellectual Property

Cartier International AG v BSkyB (CA)

[2016] EWCA Civ 658 19/08/2016

Human Rights

R (Alexander) v Secretary of State for Justice

[2023] EWHC 1407 (Admin) 19/06/2023

Data Protection and Information Law

Soriano v Forensic News LLC & ors

[2021] EWCA Civ 1952 21/12/2021

General Common Law

DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly

[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019

R (BBC) v Newcastle Crown Court

[2019] EWHC 2756; [2020] 1 Cr App R 16; [2020] EMLR 8; [2020] Crim LR 247 05/05/2020

AQA v Newsquest & ors

n/a 24/08/2016

In 5RB News

11 Dec 2023

5RB hosts Media Law Insight Evening for BVL students

5RB is a proud sponsor of BVL, a charity offering free legal educational and work experience opportunities to students aged between 16-18 who attend non-fee paying schools.

8 Dec 2023

Greg Callus named Media, Privacy & Information Law ‘Junior of the Year’

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

15 Sep 2023

5RB and members celebrate shortlist

5RB shortlisted in Chambers UK Bar Awards 2023

13 Jul 2023

Divisional Court hears Election Petition applications

19 Jun 2023

Decision to prohibit prisoner talking to media is quashed

15 Jun 2023

Court of Appeal hears nominal damages appeal

7 Oct 2022

5RB named top set by The Legal 500

Directory rankings also released

28 Jan 2022

McCormack refused permission to appeal PTR decision

The (late) application was today refused by Warby LJ without a hearing.

21 Dec 2021

Landmark GDPR appeal allowed in Soriano v Forensic News LLC & ors

The Claimant’s GDPR cross-appeal is allowed and the Defendants’ libel appeal is dismissed by the Court of Appeal

13 Oct 2021

Statement in Open Court in Bell Shepard v Associated Newspapers Limited

Mail Online settles privacy claim over photograph of the daughter of Hollywood actors Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard

5 Feb 2020

Court refuses strike out in Enterprise Insurance libel case

Gibraltar Supreme Court dismisses five applications by Defendants

11 Jan 2018

Katie Hopkins refused permission to appeal

Sharp LJ refuses PTA against decision of Warby J; also refuses permission in Guise v Shah

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

10 Mar 2017

Jack Monroe wins libel claim against Katie Hopkins

Monroe awarded £24,000 over two tweets

31 Jul 2015

Parliamentary Election Petition dismissed

Divisional Court dismisses Election Petition on grounds of defective service

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