Jacob Dean

Jacob Dean

Jacob specialises in defamation, privacy, data protection and reporting restrictions.

Recommended as a Band 1 leading junior by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500, his recent cases include WFZ v BBC [2023] EWHC 1618 (injunction re threatened contempt), Taylor v Evans v Murphy [2023] EWHC 935 (alleged conspiracy to injure through breaches of confidence and the GDPR) Mueen-Uddin v Home Secretary [2022] EWCA Civ 1073 (Jameel and Hunter abuse in claim over allegations of war crimes) and Fearn v Tate [2022] UKSC 4 (privacy and private nuisance).

His defendant clients have included national and local newspaper groups and television channels, book and magazine publishers, film, television and theatre production companies, and public authorities including several major police forces.

His claimant clients have included doctors, vets, solicitors, barristers, politicians, trade union, charitable and religious leaders and individuals from the worlds of sport, entertainment, finance, advertising and business

In the field of sports law and professional discipline he represents both sporting and disciplinary bodies and the participants and professionals subject to the jurisdiction of such bodies. He has provided advice and representation in relation to disciplinary and licensing matters, internal appeals and challenges to the decisions of professional bodies in Court.

Other significant recent and ongoing instructions include:

  • Series of applications in the Family Division concerning the reporting of high value divorce proceedings and  criminal proceedings
  • Several Data Protection claims against major public bodies
  • Acting for various police forces in privacy claims and data protection claims arising out of Operation Elveden

Called

1995 Called to the Bar of England and Wales

Education

New College, Oxford (PPE: First Class Honours) - 1989 - 1992
City University, London (CPE: Distinction) - 1993 - 1994
Bar Finals (Inner Temple Major Scholar) - 1994 - 1995

Areas of work

Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
Privacy and Confidence
Data Protection and Information Law
Harassment
Injunctive Relief
Pre-publication Advice
Reporting the Courts and Contempt

Testimonials

“Extremely client-friendly, fiercely intelligent and a good strategist. A truly excellent practitioner who one would trust with a variety of matters.” Legal 500 2024, Defamation & Privacy

“An assured advocate who knows the law inside out.” Legal 500 2024, Data Protection

“Extremely experienced and strategically brilliant. He provides clear legal advice.” “A go-to barrister on tricky media issues, and a great choice for publication injunctions.” Chambers & Partners 2020, Defamation & Privacy

“His pleadings are top-notch, he has an incredible eye for detail and he’s a pleasure to work with.” “Very good on paper, and very clear and precise.”
Chambers & Partners 2020, Data Protection

“His cross examination (before a jury) was confident, well planned and effectively executed, and led to the abandonment of the claim before he opened the defence and an order for indemnity costs in our favour.” Daniel Moss, Partner, E. Rex Makin & Co

“Superb at all aspects of media law.” “Exceptionally bright and has first class judgment.” Legal 500 2016

“very impressive on data protection … a sought-after advocate”; “a real ability to get to the heart of a case”; “very effective”: Chambers & Partners 2016

“an authoritative advocate” “an outstanding adviser, who is excellent with clients” Chambers & Partners 2015

“A hugely respected figure who has a broad defamation and privacy practice, and is especially praised for his expertise on matters with an online component. “Very tenacious and focussed.” “He’s an authoritative advocate who is great on the detail. He offers sage advice.” Chambers & Partners 2014

“a genuinely authoritative advocate” Chambers & Partners 2013

“Well regarded and wide ranging in experience, leading junior Jacob Dean is praised for his straightforward approach and for his manner with clients.”Chambers and Partners 2011 

‘top-notch junior’ Legal 500 2011 Defamation and Privacy

“Jacob Dean is ‘an extraordinarily fine barrister – he’s one of the brightest, a joy to work with and someone who commands respect as an advocate.'” Chambers & Partners 2010

“Jacob Dean … is valued by sports clients for his expertise. particularly in horseracing.” Chambers & Partners 2010

“Clients describe him as ‘a joy to work with and terrific on his feet.'” Chambers & Partners 2008

Memberships

TIPLO
Bar European Group
British Association for Sport and Law

Featured cases

Rhodes (previously "MLA") v OPO

[2015] UKSC 32 20/05/2015

Ames & anor v The Spamhaus Project Ltd & anor

[2015] EWHC 127 (QB) 27/01/2015

Niall Horan v Express Newspapers

[2015] EWHC 3550 07/12/2015

Appleton v Gallagher

[2015] EWHC 2689 (Fam) 28/09/2015

All cases

Defamation and Malicious Falsehood

Chishti v Spottiswoode & Ors

[2023] EWHC 1808 (KB) 24/07/2023

Tinkler v Ferguson & others

[2021] EWCA Civ 18 04/02/2021

Tinkler v Ferguson & Ors

[2020] EWHC 1467 (QB) 08/06/2020

Nugent v Willers

[2019] UKPC 1 17/01/2019

LJY v Persons Unknown

[2017] EWHC 3230 (QB) 21/01/2020

Brown v Bower & Another

[2017] EWHC 2637 (QB) 31/10/2017

Nick Brown v (1) Tom Bower & (2) Faber & Faber Limited

[2017] EWHC 1388 19/06/2017

Mohamed Ali Harrath v (1) Stand for Peace Limited & (2) Samuel Westrop

[2017] EWHC 653 (QB) 30/03/2017

Mohamed Ali Harrath v (1) Stand for Peace Ltd (2) Samuel Westrop

[2016] EWHC 665 06/04/2016

Niall Horan v Express Newspapers

[2015] EWHC 3550 07/12/2015

Weston v Bates & Leeds United Football Club

[2015] EWHC 3070 (QB) 11/11/2015

Ames & anor v The Spamhaus Project Ltd & anor

[2015] EWHC 127 (QB) 27/01/2015

Donovan v Gibbons

[2014] EWHC 3406 21/10/2014

Hannon v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2014] EWHC 1580 (Ch) 16/05/2014

Johnston v League Publications Ltd

[2014] EWHC 874 (QB) 26/03/2014

Fox v Boulter (disclosure)

[2013] EWHC 4012 (QB) 18/12/2013

Subotic v Knezevic

[2013] EWHC 3011 14/10/2013

McCann v Bennett

[2013] EWHC 283 (QB); [2013] EWHC 332 (QB) 25/02/2013

Mark Lewis v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis

[2012] EWHC 1391 (QB) 25/05/2012

Weston v Bates

[2012] EWHC 590 15/03/2012

Spelman v Express Newspapers (No. 2)

[2012] EWHC 355 (QB) 24/02/2012

Spelman v Express Newspapers (No.1)

[2012] EWHC 239 14/02/2012

Lewis v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis

[2011] EWHC 781 (QB) 31/03/2011

Dee v Telegraph Media Group Ltd

[2009] EWHC 2546 (QB) 19/10/2009

Levi v Bates

[2009] EWHC 1495 (QB) 02/07/2009

Noorani v Calver (No 2 Costs)

[2009] EWHC 592 (QB) 25/03/2009

Noorani v Calver (No 1)

[2009] EWHC 561 (QB) 17/03/2009

Blackwell v Bates & Ors

[2007] EWHC 3098 (QB) 21/12/2007

Ghannouchi v Al Arabiya News Channel FZ-LLC

08/11/2007 08/11/2007

Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others (No.3)

[2006] EWHC 3289 (QB); [2007] 94 BMLR 1 21/12/2006

High Tech International AG & Others v Deripaska

[2006] EWHC 3276 (QB); [2007] EMLR 449 20/12/2006

Jameel & Another v Wall Street Journal Europe (No.2) (HL)

[2006] UKHL 44; [2007] 1 AC 359; [2006] 3 WLR 642; [2006] 4 All ER 1279; [2007] EMLR 14; (2007) Bus LR 291; (2006) HRLR 41; The Times, 12 October 2006; The Independent, 17 October 2006 11/10/2006

Henry v BBC (No.2)

[2005] EWHC 2787 (QB) 02/12/2005

Henry v BBC

[2005] EWHC 2503 (QB); [2006] 1 All ER 154 11/11/2005

Campbell-James v Guardian Media Group plc

[2005] EWHC 893 (QB); [2005] EMLR 542 12/05/2005

Powell v Boladz & others

[2003] EWHC 2160 (QB) 19/09/2003

Maris & Others v Walsh

[2003] EWHC 1417 (QB) 11/06/2003

MacIntyre v Phillips

[2002] EWCA Civ 1087; [2003] EMLR 194 24/07/2002

Wallis v Valentine

[2002] EWCA Civ 1034; [2003] EMLR 175 18/07/2002

Kinch v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2002] EWHC 1020 (QB) 29/04/2002

Service Corporation International plc & Anor v Channel Four Television & Anor

[1999] EMLR 83 12/05/1998

Privacy and Confidence

LJY v Persons Unknown

[2017] EWHC 3230 (QB) 21/01/2020

YXB v TNO

[2015] EWHC 826 (QB) 25/03/2015

OPO (a child by BHM his litigation friend) v MLA

[2014] EWCA Civ 1277 09/10/2014

Hannon v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2014] EWHC 1580 (Ch) 16/05/2014

Ambrosiadou v Coward

[2013] EWHC 58 25/01/2013

Levi v Bates

1LS50081 07/06/2012

Contostavlos v Mendahun

[2012] EWHC 850 (QB) 30/03/2012

Giggs (previously known as CTB) v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2012] EWHC 431 (QB) 02/03/2012

Spelman v Express Newspapers (No. 2)

[2012] EWHC 355 (QB) 24/02/2012

Spelman v Express Newspapers (No.1)

[2012] EWHC 239 14/02/2012

Hutcheson v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2011] EWCA Civ 808; [2012] EMLR 2; [2012] UKHRR 1329 19/07/2011

Ambrosiadou v Coward (CA)

[2011] EWCA Civ 409 12/04/2011

ABC Ltd v Y

[2010] EWHC 3176 (Ch); [2011] 4 All ER 113 06/12/2010

KGM v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2010] EWHC 3145 (QB) 01/12/2010

Martin v Channel Four Television Corporation & Others

[2009] EWHC 2788 (QB) 06/11/2009

Covance Laboratories Inc v PETA Europe Ltd

16/06/2005 17/06/2005

Maris & Others v Walsh

[2003] EWHC 1417 (QB) 11/06/2003

Tolkien v Birmingham Sunday Mercury

24/05/2003 24/05/2003

Jockey Club v Buffham

[2002] EWHC 1866 (QB); [2003] QB 462; [2003] 2 WLR 178; [2003] EMLR 111 12/09/2002

Service Corp International plc & Anor v Channel Four Television Corp & Anor

[1999] EMLR 83 11/05/1999

Service Corporation International plc & Anor v Channel Four Television & Anor

[1999] EMLR 83 12/05/1998

Harassment

LJY v Persons Unknown

[2017] EWHC 3230 (QB) 21/01/2020

Levi v Bates (CA)

[2015] EWCA Civ 206 12/03/2015

Levi v Bates

1LS50081 07/06/2012

Blackmail

LJY v Persons Unknown

[2017] EWHC 3230 (QB) 21/01/2020

Reporting the Courts and Contempt

C (A Child)

[2016] EWCA Civ 798 29/07/2016

Appleton v Gallagher

[2015] EWHC 2689 (Fam) 28/09/2015

Rhodes (previously “MLA”) v OPO

[2015] UKSC 32 20/05/2015

YXB v TNO

[2015] EWHC 826 (QB) 25/03/2015

ABC Ltd v Y

[2010] EWHC 3176 (Ch); [2011] 4 All ER 113 06/12/2010

A & others v Times Newspapers Ltd & Others

[2002] EWHC 2444 (Fam); [2003] 1 All ER 587; [2003] 1 FLR 689 27/11/2002

Injunctive Relief

Rhodes (previously “MLA”) v OPO

[2015] UKSC 32 20/05/2015

YXB v TNO

[2015] EWHC 826 (QB) 25/03/2015

OPO (a child by BHM his litigation friend) v MLA

[2014] EWCA Civ 1277 09/10/2014

Ambrosiadou v Coward

[2013] EWHC 58 25/01/2013

Contostavlos v Mendahun

[2012] EWHC 850 (QB) 30/03/2012

Giggs (previously known as CTB) v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2012] EWHC 431 (QB) 02/03/2012

Spelman v Express Newspapers (No. 2)

[2012] EWHC 355 (QB) 24/02/2012

Spelman v Express Newspapers (No.1)

[2012] EWHC 239 14/02/2012

Hutcheson v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2011] EWCA Civ 808; [2012] EMLR 2; [2012] UKHRR 1329 19/07/2011

KGM v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2010] EWHC 3145 (QB) 01/12/2010

Martin v Channel Four Television Corporation & Others

[2009] EWHC 2788 (QB) 06/11/2009

Covance Laboratories Inc v PETA Europe Ltd

16/06/2005 17/06/2005

Maris & Others v Walsh

[2003] EWHC 1417 (QB) 11/06/2003

Jockey Club v Buffham

[2002] EWHC 1866 (QB); [2003] QB 462; [2003] 2 WLR 178; [2003] EMLR 111 12/09/2002

Sony Computer Entertainment v Owen

[2002] EWHC 45 (Ch); [2002] EMLR 34 23/01/2002

Service Corp International plc & Anor v Channel Four Television Corp & Anor

[1999] EMLR 83 11/05/1999

Service Corporation International plc & Anor v Channel Four Television & Anor

[1999] EMLR 83 12/05/1998

Intellectual Property

Sony Computer Entertainment v Owen

[2002] EWHC 45 (Ch); [2002] EMLR 34 23/01/2002

Service Corp International plc & Anor v Channel Four Television Corp & Anor

[1999] EMLR 83 11/05/1999

Service Corporation International plc & Anor v Channel Four Television & Anor

[1999] EMLR 83 12/05/1998

General Common Law

Rhodes (previously “MLA”) v OPO

[2015] UKSC 32 20/05/2015

OPO (a child by BHM his litigation friend) v MLA

[2014] EWCA Civ 1277 09/10/2014

Walker v Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

[2007] UKPC 64 21/11/2007

Service Corporation International plc & Anor v Channel Four Television & Anor

[1999] EMLR 83 12/05/1998

5RB Talks

5RB Talks: Bristol

17 Feb 2015
With Jacob Dean, Felicity McMahon & Julian Santos

5RB talks: Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003

20 Sep 2003
With Justin Rushbrooke KC, Christina Michalos KC & Jacob Dean

Articles

Publications

Blackstone's Guide to the Defamation Act 2013

Oxford University Press
By Jacob Dean. 19 Sep 2013

The Law of Privacy and the Media

Oxford University Press
By Jacob Dean. 17 Oct 2002

In 5RB News

20 Feb 2024

5RB hosts BVL student internship

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.

1 Nov 2023

Supreme Court to hear abuse of process appeal in Mueen-Uddin v SSHD

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

1 Feb 2023

Supreme Court win for flat owners in Fearn v Tate

7 Oct 2022

5RB named top set by The Legal 500

Directory rankings also released

11 Aug 2022

Rachel Riley decision upheld

Laura Murray's appeal dismissed

20 Jul 2022

Appeal in Riley v Murray

28 Sep 2020

Chambers UK Bar Awards 2020

5RB Nominated for Defamation Set of the Year

11 Jun 2020

Tinkler v Ferguson: court strikes out malicious falsehood claim

Litigation over Stobart Group Stock Exchange announcement is struck out

1 Jul 2019

Euromillions winner succeeds in privacy claim

Defendant ordered to pay £10,000 in general and £2,500 in aggravated damages

12 Nov 2018

Privy Council hears appeal in Nugent v Willers

Board considers limitation in appeal from the Isle of Man

11 Oct 2018

Joint statement in Brown v Bower

Parties issue press statement in libel proceedings brought by Nick Brown MP against Tom Bower and Faber and Faber

13 Jun 2018

Statement in Open Court in Sasha Wass QC libel claim

Publisher apologises and agrees to pay substantial damages

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

27 Jun 2017

No preliminary issue on serious harm

Warby J rejects application for early trial in Brown v Bower

19 Apr 2017

Founder of the Islam Channel awarded £140,000 in libel damages

Sir David Eady awards Mohamed Ali Harrath damages over "baseless" terrorism allegation

8 Oct 2016

Libel success for President of Sikh Gurdwara

Punjabi newspaper pays £160,000 in damages and costs

10 Dec 2015

Niall Horan wins round in libel claim

Judge rules words capable of bearing pleaded meaning

17 Sep 2015

Chambers UK Bar Awards 2015

5RB Nominated for Defamation Set of the Year

20 May 2015

Supreme Court lifts OPO injunction

"Searing account" of musician's life can now be published

26 Mar 2015

Footballer refused privacy injunction

Warby J finds material non-disclosure in alleged "blackmail" claim

17 Feb 2015

5RB Talks 2015: Bristol

5RB's Jacob Dean, Felicity McMahon and Julian Santos spoke at the Bristol office of Osborne Clarke

16 Jan 2015

OPO v MLA to begin in Supreme Court

Two day hearing begins Monday 19th January

31 Oct 2014

5RB tops Chambers & Partners 2015

Set and 19 barristers recommended in UK Bar Guide

19 Sep 2013

Blackstone’s Guide to the Defamation Act 2013 published

Guide to the new Act out now

4 Jul 2013

Surfer wins damages

Yachting World magazine in libel payout

21 Feb 2013

Suspended prison sentence for Madeleine McCann contempt

McCann critic found guilty of breaching court undertaking

27 Jul 2012

Opening Ceremony Competition

5RB Barrister in Bicycle Glory

12 Jul 2012

Tulisa’s ex admits uploading sex film

Star's former boyfriend finally owns up to publication of sex tape

14 Jun 2012

Solicitor settles phone hacking libel claim

Met Police and Mark Lewis join in Statement in Open Court

1 Jun 2012

Solicitor wins poster libel case

£50,000 damages for allegations plastered over a Range Rover

30 Mar 2012

Tulisa obtains injunction

X Factor judge restrains publication of sex tape

28 Oct 2011

5RB tops Chambers and Partners 2012

Adam Wolanski wins Defamation and Privacy Junior Barrister of the Year

27 Sep 2011

‘Truly experts’

The Legal 500 review 2012

24 May 2011

Ramsay father-in-law fails in Court of Appeal

Eady J decison to refuse privacy injunction in relation to secret second family upheld

6 May 2011

Leading Arabic newspaper wins libel damages

Publisher and journalists awarded £85,000

31 Mar 2011

Met Police fail to stop phone hacking libel claim

Allegations of dishonesty against senior officers ruled out

14 Dec 2010

Procedure Group calls for defamation reform

Early Resolution Procedure Group chaired by Sir Charles Gray publishes report

5 Nov 2010

5RB tops directory ranking

Chambers & Partners 2011 edition praises set

15 Apr 2010

Ummah Welfare Trust trustees receive apology over false terrorist link allegations

Express Newspapers joins in statement in open court

22 Feb 2010

Independent retracts Trafigura allegations

Newspaper accepts front page story was wrong

18 Dec 2009

BBC apologises to Trafigura

Commodities trader accepts apology, damages and costs

12 Nov 2009

5RB tops Chambers & Partners review

Set and 21 barristers praised in Chambers UK 2010 Directory

24 Sep 2009

5RB’s juniors: the Legal 500 verdict

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

21 Jul 2009

Horseracing inquiry ends with admissions

Krypton Four” penalised for inside information breaches

23 Mar 2009

Liverpool libel trial collapses

Indemnity costs after claimant discontinues claim over malicious telephone calls

13 Jan 2009

£50,000 for dentist accused of car finance fraud

BBC makes offer of amends

1 Dec 2008

Fallon and BHA settle their differences

Frank admissions” and assurances leave Jockey clear to ride next September

28 Apr 2008

Football manager wins libel damages

Website apologises to Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill for “tapping up” allegation

21 Nov 2007

Leading vet in Privy Council victory

Removal from veterinary register reduced to 6-month suspension

8 Nov 2007

£165,000 libel damages for terrorism claim

Rashid Ghannouchi obtains largest libel award of 2007

8 Nov 2007

5RB tops Chambers & Partners review

20 Barristers rated and recommended in the new annual survey

20 Apr 2007

Racing bans after corruption inquiry

HRA imposes penalties of disqualification, suspension and exclusion

27 Feb 2007

Jockeys banned after corruption inquiry

Four suspended and banned; gamblers warned off

24 Oct 2006

5RB tops Chambers & Partners review

Nineteen barristers recommended in Annual Survey

11 Oct 2006

Wall St Journal wins Reynolds case

House of Lords allows appeal in important restatement of the public interest privilege defence

27 Sep 2006

5RB tops Legal 500 survey

Twenty barristers recommended across core practice areas

28 Jul 2006

End of the line for Fallon

No further appeal after High Court rejects challenge

13 Jul 2006

Fallon racing ban upheld

HRA Appeal Board rejects jockey's challenge

26 Jun 2006

Jameel reaches the Lords

Wall Street Journal appeals on Reynolds and presumption of damage

9 Mar 2006

BBC wins waiting lists libel claim

Claimant found to have been involved in falsification of hospital waiting list figures

2 Dec 2005

BBC loses Qualified Privilege Defence

Reynolds protection denied for local news item on hospital waiting list allegations

24 Oct 2005

Chambers’ Review: 5RB top again

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

16 Jun 2005

PETA resists video footage injunction

US company fails to stop transmission of undercover filming of alleged animal cruelty

12 May 2005

Latest libel Damages awards

Offer of Amends assessments in Guardian and News of the World cases

10 Mar 2005

Jockey fined for misleading investigators

Jockey Club fines Matthew Batchelor £2,500

5 Nov 2004

5RB top in Chambers & Partners Review

Seventeen 5RB members ranked

4 Oct 2004

Martin O’Neill wins libel damages from the BBC

Book allegations withdrawn

25 May 2004

Ken Bates wins libel claim

Evening Standard to pay £9,000 plus costs

20 Sep 2003

Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003

5RB give series of talks

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