5RB is considered ‘the leading set in defamation and privacy by some distance’, with the chambers being known for housing a significant number of barristers who specialize in defamation and privacy cases. William Bennett successfully acted for Dinah Rose KC in Rose v Ames & Times Media Limited, concerning an article published in The Times alleging she wrongly claimed she had been professionally obliged to represent the Cayman Islands government in a case concerning the jurisdiction’s lack of provision in law for same-sex marriage – the matter settled with an apology in open court from the newspaper. In the Sir James Dyson v Channel Four Television Corporation & Anor, Adam Wolanski KC defended Channel Four in the libel claim made by Sir James concerning allegations made on Channel 4 News concerning working conditions at Dyson’s factories in Malaysia. The Legal 500
5RB houses a deep bench of barristers who are noted for their expert handling of libel and privacy claims and related data protection matters, as well as emergency injunctions. Its members are instructed by claimants and defendants in the most prominent cases at all levels, including in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Members continue to be instructed in the most high-profile cases in the market, with recent examples including the appeal in Banks v Cadwalladr. They have defended media outlets, including The Times, The Sun and the BBC, and have acted to protect the reputation and privacy of numerous high-profile individuals such as the Duchess of Sussex and Johnny Depp. Chambers and Partners
5RB is described by interviewees as “the standout set” in the world of defamation and privacy. The chambers houses a deep bench of barristers who are noted for their expert handling of libel and privacy claims and related data protection matters, as well as emergency injunctions. Its members are instructed by claimants and defendants in the most prominent cases at all levels, including in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. In recent years, they have acted in a number of important cases on the interpretation of the Defamation Act 2013, the most notable being the case of Lachaux v Independent Print. They have defended media outlets, including The Times, The Sun and the BBC, and have acted to protect the reputations of numerous high-profile individuals such as James Dyson. Chambers and Partners
Directory quotes:
The Legal 500
- “5RB is at the top of the media law bar. They are highly specialised, and always have counsel available.”
- “5RB is excellent. Amazing strength in depth. Without doubt the go-to set for defamation and privacy work but also for any case in the media and communications list.”
- “Definitely, the leading media and communications set. Just miles above the others.”
- “Unquestionably the top defamation set .”
- “5RB is a fantastic set with some of the finest legal minds. They are at the forefront of the industry and continue to impress across all areas.”
- “The clerking at 5RB is superb.”
- “The clerks are a pleasure to deal with; they are personable and meticulous.”
- “They have a level of customer focus which is simply absent elsewhere. No problem is too small, and they will work hard to find a real solution to a problem.”