Barristers

Testimonials

‘Well known for its expertise in media law’, 5RB is ‘the go-to set for defamation, harassment and privacy’ matters.

Defamation and Privacy
Legal 500

5RB has a rapidly growing data protection and information law practice arising from its well-recognised strength in the media domain, and leads developments in cases concerning the interaction between defamation law and the DPA. It is known particularly for its representation of claimant groups and individuals, and appeared for Sir Cliff Richard in a case relating to the BBC's live coverage of a police raid on his home. It also acted for thousands of Morrisons employees affected by the company's payroll data leak. Sources say: "The barristers here are at the top of their game, and you can be assured you'll get the very best."

Data Protection
Legal 500 2018

5RB is the pre-eminent set in the area for handling defamation, privacy, contempt and data protection matters. Interviewees praise the set for having great depth and quality of counsel, and note that it boasts many of the top barristers in the field. Members here are frequently involved in precedent-setting, highly significant matters, with recent cases including Lachaux v Independent Print Media & Others, the first serious consideration by a specialist judge of section 1 of the Defamation Act 2013, as well as the Mirror Group phone-hacking litigation.

Defamation and Privacy
Chambers UK Bar 2018

5RB is a formidable set that has long been respected for its position as a chambers at the forefront of this sector. It is known for its indisputable quality in the areas of defamation, privacy, contempt and data protection. Its members have a strong legacy of excellence in high-profile and landmark cases. Interviewees praise the barristers here for being "completely on top of the law," and say "they provide first-class advice, are commercially aware and a pleasure to deal with."

Band 1
Chambers & Partners 2017

For some, 5RB is ‘the strongest media set’, containing counsel who are ‘always available out of hours’ and ‘go out of their way to assist’. The set attracts particular praise for its strength in depth: ‘there are some really promising baby juniors, as well as some very well-established and accomplished senior juniors and silks’, ensuring that ‘quality counsel are always available when needed’. Defamation and privacy cases are chambers’ forte, and it also has a growing data protection practice; ‘its members have good knowledge and experience in this developing area’.

Band 1 Leading Sets
Legal 500 2016

"5RB has long been acknowledged as a leader in defamation, privacy and associated fields. Commentators note the set's "great strength and depth" and praise it for its skill in a wide range of media specialisations. It is a favourite of many instructing solicitors, with one drawn to comment that "the set is impressive and stands out from other chambers because of both its aggregate quality and its collegiate style."

Ranked Band 1
Chambers & Partners 2016

"‘A first-class set for defamation and privacy claims’, 5RB is considered to be ‘in a different league to its competitors’. It has ‘a good selection of quality barristers at all levels of experience, so there is always someone able to assist promptly’."

Recommended Top Tier
Legal 500 2015

"'A smart and slickly run chambers,' it has members at every level who are well capable of handling all areas of the market, including defamation, reputation management, privacy, confidence and harassment."

Ranked Band 1
Chambers & Partners 2015

For many, 5RB remains ‘the most accomplished set' in this area.

Recommended Top Tier
Legal 500 2014

‘Undoubtedly at the top of the tree’, 5RB combines ‘unrivalled depth of knowledge and experience’ with clerks who ‘go out of their way to help’. The set ‘always has a barrister available at exactly the right level’, thanks to its strong roster of senior-level advocates, and a healthy complement of ‘promising juniors coming up through the ranks’.

Recommended Top Tier
The Legal 500 2013

"Solicitors favour these chambers, not just because of the quality of the counsel, but also because the members here make the effort to build healthy client relationships. The individuals are further praised for their commercialism: "The advice given is always presented in the context of and with an awareness of the client's commercial and other long-term interests.""

Ranked Band 1
Chambers and Partners 2014

"A colossus in the field for many years, this specialist set continues to be instructed in the biggest and most important cases of the day."

Ranked Band 1
Chambers and Partners 2014

'I believe two of the most important factors I look for in my dealings with clerks is responsiveness and commerciality in fees. I believe that all the clerks that I have dealt with at 5RB have these two qualities in spades.'

Niri Shan
Partner, Taylor Wessing

'“Proactive rather than reactive,” 5RB is “without a shadow of a doubt at the forefront of defamation law.” It is “a front runner if you are looking for top-drawer people” and offers barristers with a proven track record in the areas of defamation, confidence, privacy, IP and human rights law as it relates to freedom of expression... A "responsive and thorough" set whose name is synonymous with media and entertainment disputes.'

Recommended (Band 1)
Chambers and Partners 2008

'The "gold standard for media-related work ... a set that furnishes "disciplined professionals who give extraordinarily thorough, speedy and practical advice" ... involved in some of the "most appealing and intricate cases in the field"'

Recommended (Band 1)
Chambers & Partners 2009

'Solicitors rate top-tier libel set 5RB for its "outstanding leaders, the quality of junior counsel, and excellent clerking".'

Recommended (Band 1)
Legal 500 2008

'This "first-rate set" houses an impressive number of barristers with focused expertise ... Instructing solicitors comment that "the set frequently goes beyond what one would expect from chambers generally."'

Recommended (Band 1)
Chambers & Partners 2010

'5RB enjoys "fantastic clerking"; a "leading libel set, with one of the biggest ranges of barristers, providing excellent service."'

Recommended (Band 1)
Legal 500 2009

Reservations were sounded as to the level of fees, but most agreed that these were well worth it as the set "has a greater number of the better defamation lawyers" when compared to most of its rivals in the sector.

Recommended (Band 1)
Chambers and Partners 2011

The fact that the set handles conferences on defamation topics and further provides defamation material that can be downloaded from its website plays well with solicitors.

Recommended (Band 1)
Chambers and Partners 2011

5RB is considered a ‘go-to set’ for defamation and privacy work. Professional clients find the set ‘unrivalled’ in strength and depth, and while not always cheap, counsel are generally considered ‘good value’, offering ‘straight-down-the-line advice’ without ‘unnecessary ifs or buts’. The clerks are ‘sensible’ and ‘commercial’, and the chambers’ website has become a first port of call for much of the defamation and privacy community.

Recommended (Band 1)
Legal 500 2010

5RB is recognised as being "one of the two mega sets" for defamation and privacy work.

Recommended (Band 1)
Chambers and Partners 2011

Multidisciplinary in nature, it has great strength in depth on the barristerial front and clerks who "are seemingly available at all hours for urgent work."

Recommended (Band 1)
Chambers and Partners 2011

‘Truly experts for defamation and privacy matters’, 5RB has ‘high-quality barristers throughout’ and houses ‘clerks who are always helpful and approachable’.

Recommended Top Tier
Legal 500 2011

THE SET 5RB is "a cut above the rest" and offers "across-the-board strength at all levels of call."

Recommended as Top
Chambers and Partners 2012