Justin Rushbrooke KC

Justin Rushbrooke KC

‘Justin is absolutely, utterly excellent’ ‘One of the standout barristers in this field’ – Chambers UK Bar Guide 2024 (defamation & privacy)

‘A silk of legendary status…’ – The Legal 500, 2024 edition (data protection)

Justin took Silk in 2013 and was Joint Head of Chambers at 5RB from 2017-2022, initially with Desmond Browne CBE KC, then with Adrienne Page KC. He is a leading media law practitioner whose expertise encompasses defamation, malicious falsehood, privacy, breach of confidence, data protection, deceit, copyright, passing off, contempt of Court and related contractual and commercial disputes.

He is listed as a leading Silk in the current Chambers and The Legal 500 directories for defamation & privacy work, as well as for data protection work in The Legal 500. He was named The Times’ Lawyer of the Week in 2021 (for his success in the Duchess of Sussex’s privacy claim against Associated Newspapers Ltd) and Defamation Silk of the Year in the Chambers 2019 Bar Awards.

Justin’s claimant clients have included many well-known companies and figures from the worlds of entertainment, business, banking and finance, the media, sport and politics, some of whose identities are confidential. On the defendant side, he acted for most of the major UK newspaper publishers as a junior, and has more recently advised or represented defendants of all kinds including politicians, journalists and bloggers as well as major US-based tech and media companies.

His recent clients include Sir James Dyson, the Duke of Sussex, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein (for media law aspects of her litigation against Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum of Dubai), Magnus Granath (the Bitcoin commentator sued by Dr Craig Wright), heavyweight boxer Dillian Whyte and former President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine.

Justin has been involved in numerous high-profile trials and landmark decisions in recent decades, both at first instance and in the appellate courts. These include:

  • acting for the Duchess of Sussex in her successful privacy claim against Associated Newspapers Ltd in respect of the publication of a private letter to her father
  • acting for Sir Cliff Richard in his successful privacy claim against the BBC in respect of its coverage of a police search of his home
  • acting for Dr Sarah Thornton in her successful malicious falsehood claim against The Telegraph, which also established the ‘threshold of seriousness’ for libel at common law
  • acting for Yousef Jameel in his libel claim against The Wall Street Journal, which gave rise to the ‘Jameel abuse’ jurisdiction
  • acting for Times Newspapers Ltd in its defence of the libel claim brought by composer Keith Burstein, which established the availability of so-called ‘Burstein particulars’ in mitigation of damage
  • acting for Dr Laurence Godfrey in his successful claim against Demon Internet Ltd, which established the liability of ISPs for internet libel
  • acting for the late Boris Berezovsky in his successful claim against Forbes Inc., the landmark case on jurisdiction and forum non conveniens in transnational libels.

Justin is a contributing author of The Law of Privacy and The Media (OUP, 2016) and Blackstone’s Guide to the Defamation Act 2013 (OUP, 2013) and he has regularly spoken and written on media-law related subjects. Justin is a member of the Society of Media Lawyers.

Reported or notable cases in which Justin has appeared include:

  • WFZ v BBC [2023] EWHC 1618 (KB) (obtaining interim injunction in favour of high-profile figure to prevent contempt of Court by BBC whilst criminal investigation ongoing)
  • Al Maktoum v Al Hussein [2023] 1 FLR 36 (publication of welfare judgment in family proceedings)
  • Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2022] 4 WLR 81 (CA) (landmark case on privacy rights in respect of letter to family member: summary judgment granted and upheld)
  • Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2020] 1 WLR 4762 (protecting confidentiality of third parties named in schedule to CPR Part 18 Further Information)
  • Al Maktoum v Hussein [2020] 2 F.L.R. 493 [2020] EMLR 15 (CA) (order for publication of fact-finding judgment in wardship proceedings upheld)
  • FRB v DCA [2020] Fam. 211 (‘paternity fraud’ deceit claim struck out where proceedings under Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 s.23 were ongoing)
  • Saïd v Groupe L’Express [2019] EMLR 9 (impact of CJEU ‘centre of interests’ doctrine on internet libel claim against French publisher)
  • Sir Cliff Richard v BBC [2019] Ch. 169 (landmark case on privacy in respect of criminal investigations where suspect not charged)
  • Prince Moulay Hicham of Morocco v Elaph Publishing Ltd [2017] 4 WLR 28 (CA) (establishing that data protection inaccuracy and libel claims may be pleaded in parallel)
  • Lokhova v Longmuir [2017] 6 Costs LR 1189 (obtaining order for indemnity costs against Claimant who had accepted Part 36 Offer late)
  • Murray v Associated Newspapers [2015] EMLR 21 (CA) (upholding order permitting J K Rowling to make unilateral Statement in Open Court upon acceptance of Offer of Amends)
  • Bewry v Reed Elsevier (UK) Ltd [2015] 1 WLR 2565 (CA) (successful appeal emphasising importance of bringing libel claims within 1-year primary limitation period)
  • Webb v Lewis Silkin LLP [2015] EWHC 687 (Ch) (whether bringing of civil claim against solicitors acting for opponent in arbitration involved breach of arbitral confidentiality)
  • RBOS Shareholders Action Group Ltd v News Group [2014] EMLR 15 (preliminary issue on meaning)
  • Rothschild v Associated Newspapers [2013] EMLR 18 (CA) (justification of libel in ‘exemplar’ cases)
  • OPQ v BJM [2011] EMLR 23 (landmark case on contra mundum privacy injunctions)
  • Ambrosiadou v Coward [2011] EMLR 21 [2011] 2 FLR 617 (CA) (privacy of Greek divorce papers)
  • Baturina v Times Newspapers [2011] 1 WLR 1526 (CA) (strict liability for legal innuendo meanings in libel confirmed)
  • McLaughlin v Lambeth BC [2011] EMLR 8 (rule in Derbyshire County Council, Art 8 rights)
  • Thornton v Telegraph Media Group [2011] 1 WLR 1985 (landmark case on ‘threshold of seriousness’ in libel claim brought over book review by Lynn Barber)
  • Schwebel v Schwebel [2011] 2 All ER (Comm) 1048 (Arbitration Act applications, Jewish law)
  • Tesco Stores Ltd v Guardian News & Media Ltd [2009] EMLR 5 (time limit for Claimant to accept or reject Offer of Amends under Defamation Act 1996)
  • Adelson v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2009] EMLR 10 (stay refused where newspaper asserting belief in truth of justification defence whilst also making open offer to settle)
  • Adelson v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2008] 1 WLR 585 (CA) (addition/substitution of parties)
  • Polanski v Conde Nast [2005] 1 W.L.R. 637 (HL) (evidence by video link permissible where claimant was fugitive from justice in USA)
  • Jameel v Dow Jones & Co Inc. [2005] QB 946 (CA) (landmark case on abuse of process in libel claims)
  • Jameel v Wall Street Journal Europe [2005] QB 904 (CA) (Reynolds privilege, presumption of damage)
  • Collins Stewart v Financial Times [2005] EMLR 5 (special damages, fall in company share price)
  • Don King v Lennox Lewis & Ors [2005] EMLR 4 (CA) (forum non conveniens in internet libel)
  • Maccaba v Lichtenstein [2005] EMLR 6 (whether unsolicited love letters & poems protectable as private information)
  • Wilkey v BBC [2003] 1 WLR 1 (CA) (dispensing with service of claim form where it had in fact been received in time)
  • Myler v Williams [2003] 4 Costs LR 566 (enforceability of CFA in libel claim)
  • McManus v Beckham [2002] 1 WLR 2982 (CA) (remoteness of damage where slander repeated)
  • Burstein v Times Newspapers [2001] 1 WLR 579 (CA) (landmark case on admissibility of ‘directly relevant background context’ in mitigation of damages)
  • Godfrey v Demon Internet Ltd [2001] QB 201 (landmark case on liability of ISPs for internet libel)
  • Berezovsky v Forbes [2000] 1 WLR 1004 (HL) (landmark case on jurisdiction and forum non conveniens in transnational libels)
  • Loveless v Earl [1999] EMLR 530 (CA) (D had not intended the defamatory meaning borne by the words complained of; whether D necessarily guilty of malice)
  • Adams v Attridge [1999] C.L.Y. 2005 (confidentiality injunction against Spice Girls’ former chauffeur)
  • Aitken v Preston [1997] EMLR 415 (CA) (trial by Judge alone in libel claim brought by Conservative politican)
  • Attorney-General v Newspaper Publishing [1997] 1 WLR 926 (CCA) (contempt of Court)
  • Re Austintel Ltd [1997] 1 WLR 616 (CA) (inspection & copying of records of insolvency proceedings)
  • Botham v Khan The Times, July 15 1996 (CA) (whether allegations of ball-tampering defamatory of cricketer)
  • R v Maidstone Crown Court Ex p. Lever [1995] 1 WLR 928 (CA) (forfeiture of sureties for criminal defendant who absconded)

Called

1992 Called to the Bar of England and Wales
2013 Silk

Education

Harrow School - 1977-1981
Balliol College, Oxford University (undergraduate degrees in Classics and Law) - 1982-1986, 1988-1990
Inns of Court School of Law: Bar Vocational Course - 1990-1991

Areas of work

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

Testimonials

‘Justin is absolutely, utterly excellent’ ‘One of the standout barristers in this field’ – Chambers UK Bar Guide 2024 (defamation & privacy)

‘A silk of legendary status…’ – The Legal 500, 2024 edition (data protection)

‘He’s a superb advocate and cross-examiner’  ‘He’s very cool and very calm, and marries excellent background knowledge with a highly measured manner’ – Chambers UK Bar Guide 2020 (defamation and privacy)

‘He’s accurate in his advice, responsive and quick, and clients like him’ – Chambers UK Bar Guide 2020 (data protection)

‘Very calm and measured in his approach. His written submissions are a model of persuasive eloquence’ ‘Enormously impressive and fearless. A decisive thinker’  – Chambers UK Bar Guide 2019 (defamation and privacy)

A go-to silk, superb advocate with a fierce intellect’  – The Legal 500, 2020 edition (defamation and privacy)

Languages

French

Featured cases

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

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

Burstein v Times Newspapers Ltd

[2000] EWCA Civ 338; [2001] 1 WLR 579; [2001] EMLR 364 20/12/2000

Collins Stewart Limited & Another v The Financial Times Ltd (No 2)

[2005] EWHC 262 (QB); [2006] EMLR 100 25/02/2005

Godfrey v Demon Internet Ltd

[1999] EWHC QB 240; [1999] 4 All ER 342 23/04/1999

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

[2005] EWCA Civ 74; [2005] QB 904; [2005] 2 WLR 1577; [2005] EMLR 377; [2005] 4 All ER 356; The Times 14 Feb 2005; The Independent 9 Feb 2005 03/02/2005

King v Lewis & Others (CA)

[2004] EWCA Civ 1329; [2005] EMLR 45; The Independent, 11 November 2004 19/10/2004

McManus v Beckham

[2002] EWCA Civ 939; [2002] EMLR 880; [2002] 1 WLR 2982 04/07/2002

Musa King v Telegraph Group Ltd (Costs)

02/12/2005 02/12/2005

Polanski v Conde Nast Publications Ltd (HL)

[2005] UKHL 10; [2005] 1 WLR 637; [2005] 1 All ER 945; [2005] EMLR 287; The Times, 11 Feb 2005; The Independent, 16 Feb 2005 10/02/2005

Tesco Stores Ltd v Guardian News & Media Ltd and Rusbridger

[2008] EWHC (QB); [2009] EMLR 5 29/07/2008

Thornton v Telegraph Media Group Ltd

[2009] EWHC 2863 (QB) 12/11/2009

All cases

Defamation and Malicious Falsehood

Mahmudov & Mahmudova v Goni Sanzberro & ors

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

Parris v Ajayi & Ors

[2021] EWHC 285 (QB) 12/02/2021

Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2021] EWHC 273 (Ch) 24/02/2021

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

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

Morgan v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2018] EWHC 3960(QB) 07/12/2018

Weston v Bates & Leeds United Football Club

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

His Highness Prince Moulay Hicham Ben Abdullah Al Alaoui of Morocco v Elaph Publishing Limited

[2015] EWHC 2021 (QB) 16/07/2015

Associated Newspapers v Murray

[2015] EWCA Civ 488 15/05/2015

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd

[2015] EWHC 620 (QB) 11/03/2015

Bewry v Reed Elsevier UK Ltd (CA)

[2014] EWCA Civ 1411; [2014] WLR (D) 474 30/10/2014

Building Register Ltd v Weston

[2014] EWHC 2361 (QB) 23/07/2014

Murray v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2014] EWHC 1170 (QB) 15/04/2014

RBOS Shareholders Action Group Ltd v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2014] EWHC 130 (QB) 04/02/2014

Thornton v Telegraph Group (No. 4)

[2011] EWHC 1884 (QB) 26/07/2011

Baturina v Times Newspapers Ltd (CA)

[2011] EWCA Civ 308 23/03/2011

Thornton v Telegraph Media Group Ltd (No 3)

[2011] EWHC 159 04/02/2011

McLaughlin v London Borough of Lambeth

[2010] EWHC 2726 (QB) 02/11/2010

Thornton v Telegraph Media Group Ltd (No 2)

[2010] EWHC 1414 (QB); [2010] EMLR 25 16/06/2010

Thornton v Telegraph Media Group Ltd

[2009] EWHC 2863 (QB) 12/11/2009

McLaughlin & Ors v Newall

[2009] EWHC 1925 (QB) 31/07/2009

Tesco Stores Ltd v Guardian News & Media Ltd and Rusbridger

[2008] EWHC (QB); [2009] EMLR 5 29/07/2008

Mond & Ors v Mason & Ors

[2008] EWHC 1649 (QB) 24/06/2008

Adelson v Associated Newspapers Ltd (No 3)

[2008] EWHC 278 (QB); [2009] EMLR 10 19/02/2008

Adelson v Associated Newspapers Ltd (No. 2)

[2007] EWHC 3028 (QB) 19/12/2007

Adelson v Associated Newspapers Ltd (CA)

[2007] EWCA Civ 701; [2008] 1 WLR 585; [2007] 4 All ER 330; [2008] EMLR 324; The Times, 18 July 2007 09/07/2007

Adelson v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2007] EWHC 997 (QB); The Times, 10 May 2007 01/05/2007

Musa King v Telegraph Group Ltd (Costs)

02/12/2005 02/12/2005

Jameel & Another v Times Newspapers Ltd (No.2)

[2005] EWHC 1219 (QB) 15/06/2005

Milne v David Price Solicitors & Advocates

07/03/2005 07/03/2005

Collins Stewart Limited & Another v The Financial Times Ltd (No 2)

[2005] EWHC 262 (QB); [2006] EMLR 100 25/02/2005

Polanski v Conde Nast Publications Ltd (HL)

[2005] UKHL 10; [2005] 1 WLR 637; [2005] 1 All ER 945; [2005] EMLR 287; The Times, 11 Feb 2005; The Independent, 16 Feb 2005 10/02/2005

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

[2005] EWCA Civ 74; [2005] QB 904; [2005] 2 WLR 1577; [2005] EMLR 377; [2005] 4 All ER 356; The Times 14 Feb 2005; The Independent 9 Feb 2005 03/02/2005

Jameel (Yousef) v Dow Jones & Co. Inc.

[2005] EWCA Civ 75; [2005] QB 946; [2005] 2 WLR 1614; [2005] EMLR 353; The Times 14 Feb 2005; The Independent 10 Feb 2005 03/02/2005

Hewitt & Others v Grunwald & Others

[2004] EWHC 2959 (QB) 21/12/2004

Collins Stewart Ltd & Another v The Financial Times Ltd

[2004] EWHC 2337 (QB); [2005] EMLR 64 20/10/2004

King v Lewis & Others (CA)

[2004] EWCA Civ 1329; [2005] EMLR 45; The Independent, 11 November 2004 19/10/2004

Maccaba v Lichtenstein (No 2 – mode of trial)

02/04/2004 02/04/2004

King v Lewis

[2004] EWHC 168 (QB) 06/02/2004

Jameel & Another v Wall Street Journal Europe

[2004] EWHC 37 (QB); [2004] EMLR 196 20/01/2004

Jameel & Another v Wall Street Journal Europe (CA)

[2003] EWCA Civ 1694; [2004] EMLR 6 26/11/2003

Jameel & Another v Times Newspapers Ltd

[2003] EWHC 2609 (QB) 07/11/2003

Sharma v Jay & Others

15/04/2003 15/04/2003

Bennett & Another v BBC & Another

[2003] EWHC 553 (QB) 20/03/2003

Clarke v Davey

[2002] EWHC 2342 (QB) 08/11/2002

Wilkey & Another v BBC

[2002] EWCA Civ 1561; [2003] 1 WLR 1; [2002] 4 All ER 1177 22/10/2002

McManus v Beckham

[2002] EWCA Civ 939; [2002] EMLR 880; [2002] 1 WLR 2982 04/07/2002

Gillick v Brook Advisory Centres & Another (No.2)

12/03/2002 12/03/2002

Burstein v Times Newspapers Ltd

[2000] EWCA Civ 338; [2001] 1 WLR 579; [2001] EMLR 364 20/12/2000

Berezovsky v Forbes Inc & Michaels

[2000] UKHL 25; [2000] 1 WLR 1004; [2000] 2 All ER 986; [2000] EMLR 643 11/05/2000

Godfrey v Demon Internet Ltd

[1999] EWHC QB 240; [1999] 4 All ER 342 23/04/1999

Aitken v Preston and Others

[1997] EMLR 415 15/05/1997

Privacy and Confidence

Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2021] EWHC 273 (Ch) 24/02/2021

Choudhrie v Choudhrie

[2019] EWHC 2066 (Ch) 13/08/2019

Sir Cliff Richard OBE v (1) The British Broadcasting Corporation (2) Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police

[2017] EWHC 1291 (Ch) 26/05/2017

Mahmood v BBC

[2014] EWCA Civ 1567 11/11/2014

OPQ v BJM

[2011] EWHC 1059 (QB) 20/04/2011

Ambrosiadou v Coward (CA)

[2011] EWCA Civ 409 12/04/2011

Harassment

Sharma v Jay & Others

15/04/2003 15/04/2003

Injunctive Relief

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

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

Al-KO Kober Ltd & Anor v Balvinder Sambhi

[2017] EWHC 2474 (QB) 06/10/2017

Mahmood v BBC

[2014] EWCA Civ 1567 11/11/2014

OPQ v BJM

[2011] EWHC 1059 (QB) 20/04/2011

Mond & Ors v Mason & Ors

[2008] EWHC 1649 (QB) 24/06/2008

Intellectual Property

Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2021] EWHC 273 (Ch) 24/02/2021

Human Rights

Polanski v Conde Nast Publications Ltd (HL)

[2005] UKHL 10; [2005] 1 WLR 637; [2005] 1 All ER 945; [2005] EMLR 287; The Times, 11 Feb 2005; The Independent, 16 Feb 2005 10/02/2005

Data Protection and Information Law

Al-KO Kober Ltd & Anor v Balvinder Sambhi

[2017] EWHC 2474 (QB) 06/10/2017

Sir Cliff Richard OBE v (1) The British Broadcasting Corporation (2) Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police

[2017] EWHC 1291 (Ch) 26/05/2017

His Highness Prince Moulay Hicham Ben Abdullah Al Alaoui of Morocco v Elaph Publishing Limited

[2015] EWHC 2021 (QB) 16/07/2015

General Common Law

Mond & Ors v Mason & Ors

[2008] EWHC 1649 (QB) 24/06/2008

Polanski v Conde Nast Publications Ltd (HL)

[2005] UKHL 10; [2005] 1 WLR 637; [2005] 1 All ER 945; [2005] EMLR 287; The Times, 11 Feb 2005; The Independent, 16 Feb 2005 10/02/2005

Sharma v Jay & Others

15/04/2003 15/04/2003

5RB Talks

5RB talks: Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003

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

Articles

5RB Podcast - Data subject access requests

By Justin Rushbrooke KC. 12 Dec 2019

Reduced 'uplift's on libel CFAs - why the hurry?

By Justin Rushbrooke KC. 9 Jun 2010

Publications

The Law of Privacy and the Media 3rd Edition

OUP
By Justin Rushbrooke KC. 22 Jan 2016

Blackstone's Guide to the Defamation Act 2013

Oxford University Press
By Justin Rushbrooke KC. 19 Sep 2013

The Law of Privacy and the Media

Oxford University Press
By Justin Rushbrooke KC. 17 Oct 2002

In 5RB News

8 Dec 2023

Duke of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd: strike out / summary judgment handed down

1 Dec 2023

Judgment in Sir James Dyson v MGN Limited

21 Nov 2023

Dyson v MGN: Libel trial begins

20 Oct 2023

5RB tops rankings in Chambers & Partners

18 Oct 2023

Ruling in corporate libel claims over links to former Kazakh President

Court hands down judgment in claim brought by Jusan Technologies Limited against Telegraph Media Group and OpenDemocracy

5 Oct 2023

5RB named Tier 1 set in Defamation and privacy by The Legal 500

17 Mar 2023

Strike out / summary judgment application in Duke of Sussex v Associated Newspapers

The Claimant's application was heard today before Nicklin J

18 Nov 2022

5RB success at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022

7 Oct 2022

5RB named top set by The Legal 500

Directory rankings also released

3 Oct 2022

Jane Phillips succeeds Justin Rushbrooke KC as Joint Head of Chambers

8 Jul 2022

Duke of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd: preliminary issue judgment handed down

9 Jun 2022

Duke of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd: trial of preliminary issues

2 Dec 2021

Associated Newspapers’ appeal in claim by the Duchess of Sussex dismissed

Court of Appeal upholds summary judgment decision

9 Nov 2021

Court of Appeal to consider the Defendant’s appeal in Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers

12 Feb 2021

The Duchess of Sussex wins her privacy and copyright claim

6 Aug 2020

Court rules in favour of Duchess

Five friends’ names remain private

18 Mar 2020

5RB members praised in Who’s Who Legal 2020

Five 5RB silks and 11 5RB juniors commended in Who's Who Legal Marketplace Analysis 2020

10 Mar 2020

5RB plays major role in Al Maktoum v Al Hussein

CA upholds President's decision to allow publication of earlier judgments

1 Nov 2019

5RB sweeps the board at Bar Awards

Winning Three Defamation Awards

14 Aug 2019

Marital confidence claim brought by businessman Bhanu Choudhrie struck out

Chancery Judge strikes out Mr Choudhrie’s claim for declaratory relief against his estranged wife Simrin Choudhrie

18 Jul 2018

Sir Cliff Richard wins privacy claim against BBC

Judge awards singer £210,000 damages for misuse of private information

26 Apr 2018

Evidence concludes in Cliff Richard trial

Closing submissions in privacy and DPA claim against the BBC and South Yorkshire Police to commence on Tuesday 8th May

11 Apr 2018

Sir Cliff Richard v BBC trial to begin

Trial of claims in misuse of private information and under the DPA starts Thursday 12th April

6 Feb 2018

5RB ‘stands above the competition’

Leaders and juniors praised in new edition of Who's Who Legal

15 Dec 2017

Scottish Law Commission proposes defamation reforms

Report and Draft Bill on defamation law in Scotland published

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

6 Oct 2017

5RB Arrivals and Departures

Aled Jones joins 5RB; Justin Rushbrooke QC becomes new Joint Head of Chambers following appointment of Mr Justice Nicklin to the High Court

31 Jul 2017

Supreme Court refuses permission in DPA/libel claim

Defendant Elaph refused permission to appeal CA decision allowing Moroccan Prince to pursue DPA claim and restoring defamatory meanings

28 May 2017

Sir Cliff obtains order requiring BBC to say if source was Yewtree

Also settles with South Yorkshire Police

27 Jan 2017

Prince wins libel and DPA appeals

Court of Appeal rules adding DPA inaccuracy claim to libel claim permissible; also finds for Prince on defamatory meaning

9 Jun 2016

Wafic Saïd settles Data Protection Act claim against Barclays

Bank apologises in joint public statement

22 Jan 2016

New edition of The Law of Privacy and the Media published

Read an extract on Privacy, the Internet and Social Media

23 Jul 2015

Permission granted to add data protection claim

Moroccan Prince partially successful in application for permission to amend libel claim against UK-based Arab news website

18 May 2015

Mail loses JK Rowling appeal

'Harry Potter' author permitted to read statement in open court following libel settlement, including disputed reference to dishonesty

24 Nov 2014

Apology and damages in “serious financial loss” claim

Hodge Jones & Allen LLP and Times Newspapers Ltd settle action brought under s.1(2) Defamation Act 2013

31 Oct 2014

5RB tops Chambers & Partners 2015

Set and 19 barristers recommended in UK Bar Guide

30 Oct 2014

Limitation appeal allowed

Court of Appeal rules that ignorance of 1-year limitation period usually irrelevant, overturns permission to sue LexisNexis for libel

19 Sep 2013

Blackstone’s Guide to the Defamation Act 2013 published

Guide to the new Act out now

27 Mar 2013

Justin Rushbrooke and Matthew Nicklin take silk

5RB congratulates them both!

31 Jan 2013

Naomi Campbell wins elephant cruelty libel claim

Daily Telegraph pays damages, costs and joins in Statement in Open Court

22 Feb 2012

Telegraph refused permission to appeal in Thornton case

Decision on malice against journalist stands

28 Oct 2011

5RB tops Chambers and Partners 2012

Adam Wolanski wins Defamation and Privacy Junior Barrister of the Year

20 Oct 2011

Sunday Times settles Baturina libel claim

Newspaper pays damages, costs and joins in Statement in Open Court

27 Sep 2011

‘Truly experts’

The Legal 500 review 2012

26 Jul 2011

Thornton wins historic libel and malicious falsehood trial

Judge finds book review was malicious; offer of amends defence defeated

25 Mar 2011

Court of Appeal upholds strict liability for innuendo meanings

Elena Baturina’s appeal succeeds, Sunday Times’ cross-appeal allowed in part

5 Nov 2010

5RB tops directory ranking

Chambers & Partners 2011 edition praises set

22 Jul 2010

Pitt & Jolie win ‘false privacy’ case

News of the World agrees to apologise and pay damages

16 Jul 2010

Amazon reviews case settles

Historian apologises and pays damages and costs over critical book reviews he posted under a pseudonym

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

24 Nov 2008

Accountant wins ‘IVA Council’ claim

Insolvency practitioner obtains apology and damages over mis-selling allegations

16 Sep 2008

Tesco accepts Guardian apology

Newspaper makes front-page apology and payment to charity to settle libel claim

19 Mar 2008

Adelson accepts apology, damages

Associated Newspapers apologises to US entrepreneur and settles libel claim

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

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

24 Oct 2005

Chambers’ Review: 5RB top again

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

23 Sep 2005

‘Chambers of the Year’ goes to 5RB

5RB wins Chambers & Partners Defamation Set of the Year award

21 Sep 2005

5RB tops annual Legal 500 Review

17 barristers named as leaders in their field

16 Sep 2005

5RB nominated for three top awards

Chambers & Partners Annual awards - 22nd September 2005

6 May 2005

Lords to hear Jameel Appeal

Reynolds test and presumption of damage to be reviewed

7 Apr 2005

Smith & Collins Stewart win libel action

Dale Langley & Co make statement in open court

14 Mar 2005

Milne liable for CFA costs

Costs Judge orders solicitor Andrew Milne to pay David Price's costs under CFA

10 Feb 2005

Polanski Appeal Allowed

House of Lords permits video link evidence in Vanity Fair libel trial

3 Feb 2005

Wall Street Journal appeal dismissed

Rejection of Reynolds privilege upheld but Dow Jones wins Internet appeal

29 Nov 2004

Jameel Appeals in the CA

Challenge to presumption of damage in defamation

18 Nov 2004

Polanski in the Lords

Director appeals CA refusal of video link evidence

5 Nov 2004

5RB top in Chambers & Partners Review

Seventeen 5RB members ranked

20 Oct 2004

Collins Stewart damages claim trimmed

High Court strikes out part of special damages claim against FT

19 Oct 2004

Don King libel case continues

CA rules England correct forum for Internet libel claim

11 Oct 2004

The new term ahead…

Autumn/Winter 2004 at 5RB

24 Sep 2004

5RB top in Legal 500 Review

15 barristers named as leaders in their field

25 Jun 2004

Maccaba loses ‘Indecent Proposal’ Case

Longest-running slander claim ends in defeat

20 Sep 2003

Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003

5RB give series of talks

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