“5RB remains the undisputed leader in media and communications law, with unrivalled strength in depth across all levels of seniority.”
Legal 500
5RB is widely acknowledged and respected as a leading set specialising in media, entertainment and information law.
Barristers at 5RB mostly appear in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and all divisions of the High Court of Justice. They also appear regularly in the criminal and family courts (usually in reporting restrictions matters) and before domestic tribunals, such as the General Regulatory Chamber of the First-Tier Tribunal. We also regularly receive instructions from overseas or by public access.
In addition to litigation, our barristers provide pre-publication advice to newspapers, book publishers, media organisations, public authorities and companies.
Members of 5RB write or contribute to the leading textbooks in the field, including: Gatley on Libel & Slander; The Law of Privacy & the Media; Arlidge, Eady & Smith on Contempt; Borrie & Lowe: The Law of Contempt; Blackstone’s Guide to the Defamation Act; Clerk & Lindsell on Torts.
The world of media and communications moves quickly and our barristers are used to being instructed at very short notice, including providing advice out-of-hours, or seeking or opposing emergency pre-publication injunctive relief. We have reliable out-of-hours contact arrangements and an on-call rota for advice over weekends and public holidays.
For more information, see our Urgent Injunctions page.
As leading specialists in media and communications law, it is not uncommon for our members to be instructed on opposing sides of the same dispute. We have developed robust arrangements to preserve client confidentiality in such instances and ensure that all our clients receive the level of support they expect.
For more information on how to instruct barristers at 5RB, click here.
5RB enjoys a pre-eminent reputation in cases where freedom of expression comes into conflict with other rights. Our members specialise in defamation, malicious falsehood, misuse of private information, breach of confidence, contempt of court, reporting restrictions, data protection, harassment, blackmail and other related causes of action. They are regularly called upon to advise on online, broadcast and social media publications, including where the identity of the publisher is unknown.
Some of our members specialise in a broader spectrum of media, entertainment, IP, and sports law, including advising on copyright, passing-off, broadcasting regulation, advertising, and sports tribunal work.
You can read more about each of our key practice areas here.
Barristers at 5RB provide the full range of legal services within media and communications law, including:
5RB is committed to promoting equal opportunities and preventing discrimination. Diversity and inclusivity lie at the heart of our working and recruitment policies, and we take an active role in social mobility schemes.
The Chambers of 5RB were founded by the distinguished jury advocate, Sir Valentine Holmes KC, whose forensic successes in a number of famous libel trials laid the foundations for what is now one of our main areas of practice.
5RB is a proud member of ‘Friends in Law’ a scheme launched by the Bar Pro Bono Unit and the Free Representation Unit. As a Friends in Law member, 5RB contributes financial support and pro bono work by volunteers.