Alexandra Marzec

Alexandra Marzec

Alex is a highly regarded barrister dealing with libel and slander, misuse of private information, breach of confidence and other publication-related causes of action. She has a busy practice advising both claimants and defendants in relation to libel and privacy issues, being led and acting without a leader. Defendant work includes:

  • From 2009 to 2016, representing parties in the phone-hacking litigation: first, Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator sued by a great number of claimants for voicemail interception and, from 2014 to 2016, Mirror Group Newspapers sued in respect of the same cause of action, including representing MGN as junior counsel at trial as to damages in March 2015.
  • Defending Penguin Books in a claim brought in relation to a book about the Libor-rigging scandal (Koutsogiannis v Random House).
  • Acting for the defendant in a privacy claim brought by the children of Chelsea Clinton in relation to photographs (Mezvinsky v Associated Newspapers).
  • Since 2018 Alex has been part of the counsel team representing Associated Newspapers in the defence of a privacy and copyright claim brought against the Mail on Sunday by Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.

At the same time, Alex works for claimants seeking to protect Article 8, libel, privacy and data rights in a wide variety of cases. Sample cases include:

  • In 2016 to 2017, the first (to our knowledge) successful ‘revenge porn’ case brought by a female claimant in respect of the unauthorised posting online of private sexual films.
  • In 2016, representing at trial a claimant who had been falsely accused, by his neighbour, of bestiality with a pig (judgment cited below at Barkhuysen v Hamilton).
  • In 2017, acting for His Royal Highness Prince Louis in an application for reporting restrictions in the course of financial remedies proceedings.
  • In 2019, acting as sole counsel for Mr Jan Serafin in his (successful) appeal to the Court of Appeal against the judgment at the trial of his libel case, on the unusual ground (amongst others) of judicial unfairness. The case went to the Supreme Court, where Alex was led by Adrienne Page KC of 5RB.

Some recent notable and reported cases:

  • Gray v NGN Limited [2011] EWHC 349; [2011] 2 WLR 1401
  • Phillips v NGN Limited [2012] UKSC 28; [2013] 1 AC 1 – acting for defendant relying on privilege against self-incrimination; case went to the Supreme Court)
  • AAA v Associated Newspapers Limited [2012] EWHC 5137; [2013] EMLR 2 – privacy claim brought by the baby daughter of well-known Conservative politician to try to keep secret her father’s identity
  • Trimingham v Associated Newspapers Limited [2012] EWHC 1296; [2012] 2 All ER 717 – acting for defendant newspaper in a privacy and harassment claim by the partner of former LibDem politician Chris Huhne in respect of articles in the Daily Mail
  • Ontulmus v Collett [2014] EWHC 294 (security for costs); Ontulmus v Collett [2014] EWHC 4117 (costs judgment) – acting for defendant businessman sued for more than £100 million by Turkish entities
  • Gulati and ors. v MGN Limited [2015] EWHC 1422; [2015] WLR (D) 233; [2016] FSR 12 – quantum of damages in “phone-hacking” cases
  • Barkhuysen v Hamilton [2016] EWHC 2858 (main judgment); Barkhuysen v Hamilton EWHC 3371; [2016] 6 Costs LR 1217 (costs) – acting for claimant in a slander/false imprisonment/harassment case where the defendant had made a number of false allegations against her neighbour
  • Webb v Lewis Silkin [2016] EWHC 1225 – acting for claimant suing over unlawful access to her private emails held on work server
  • Candy v Holyoake [2017] EWHC 373 – acting for defendant sued over retention of films of claimant made at a private event
  • Makin v NGN Ltd [2017] EWHC 1386 – acting for defendant in claim for injunction brought by executor of estate of Ian Brady; case concerns the breach of an undertaking by the defendant
  • HRH Louis Xavier Marie Guillaume v HRH Tessy Princess Tessy [2017] EWHC 3095 – reporting restrictions in financial remedies proceedings
  • Zarb-Cousin v Association of British Bookmakers [2018] EWHC 2240: meaning of a television broadcast
  • Euroeco Fuels (Poland) Ltd v Szczecin and Swinoujscie Seaports Authority SA [2018] EWHC 1081: application of Article 20 of the Brussels Recast Regulation
  • Koutsogiannis v The Random House Group [2019] EWCH 2240: meaning of a book
  • Hayden v Associated Newspapers [2020] EWHC 540: striking out a defamation claim on the grounds the words were not defamatory
  • Piepenbrock v Associated Newspapers [2020] EWHC 1708: setting aside ineffective service of a claim form
  • Serafin v Malkiewicz [2019] EWCA Civ 852; and [2020] UKSC 23: judicial unfairness; section 4 public interest
  • Glenn v Kline [2020] EWHC 3182: judgment in default of Acknowledgment of Service
  • Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers [2020] EWHC 1058 (Ch); and [2020] EWHC 2160; and [2020] EWHC 3093: various procedural matters, including striking out allegations of dishonesty against the defendant; imposing confidentiality restrictions in relation to potential witnesses; and amendment of the defence

Called

1990 Called to the Bar of England and Wales

Education

University of Warwick: LL.B. First Class Honours - 1984-1987
Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California at Berkeley - 1987-1988

Areas of work

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

Testimonials

2020 Chambers & Partners

“An excellent, clever junior and a fantastic advocate.”

2018 Chambers & Partners

She combines a deep feel for the law in this area with a pragmatic style”; “she’s brilliant: very down to earth, user-friendly and really commercial.”

Legal 500 2017

‘She is approachable and tenacious.’

Languages

Conversational Polish.

All cases

Defamation and Malicious Falsehood

Soriano v Silverstein

[2021] EWHC 873 (QB) 13/04/2021

Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd

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

Serafin v Malkiewicz

[2019] EWCA Civ 852 20/05/2019

Jose Antonio Serrano Garcia v Associated Newspapers Limited

[2014] EWHC 3137 (QB) 06/10/2014

Bowman v MGN Ltd

[2010] EWHC 895 (QB) 26/04/2010

Crossley & Crossley v Newsquest (Midlands South) Limited

[2008] EWHC 3054 (QB) 11/12/2008

Curistan v Times Newspapers Ltd (CA)

[2008] EWCA Civ 432; The Times, 6 May 2008 30/04/2008

Jeynes v News Magazines Limited & Anor

[2008] EWCA Civ 130 31/01/2008

McBride v Body Shop International plc

[2007] EWHC 1658 (QB) 10/07/2007

Turkot & Global GOLD Holding v Oxus Gold & Trew

[2006] EWHC 3361 (QB) 15/12/2006

Veliu v Mazrekaj

[2006] EWHC 1710 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 495 11/07/2006

Crossland v Wilkinson Hardware Stores Ltd

[2005] EWHC 481 (QB) 23/03/2005

Bataille v Newland & Ors

[2002] EWHC 1692 (QB) 31/07/2002

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

Sarah Lynette Webb v Lewis Silkin LLP

[2016] EWHC 1225 (Ch) 04/05/2016

AAA v Associated Newspapers Ltd (CA)

[2013] EWCA Civ 554 20/05/2013

Trimingham v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2012] EWHC 1296 (QB) 24/05/2012

Goldsmith & Anor v BCD; Khan v BCD

[2011] EWHC 674 (QB) 22/03/2011

P & Others v Quigley

[2008] EWHC 1051 (QB) 16/05/2008

Harassment

Trimingham v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2012] EWHC 1296 (QB) 24/05/2012

Crossland v Wilkinson Hardware Stores Ltd

[2005] EWHC 481 (QB) 23/03/2005

Reporting the Courts and Contempt

HRH Prince Louis of Luxembourg v HRH Princess Tessy of Luxembourg & anor

[2017] EWHC 3095 (Fam) 05/12/2017

Injunctive Relief

Goldsmith & Anor v BCD; Khan v BCD

[2011] EWHC 674 (QB) 22/03/2011

P & Others v Quigley

[2008] EWHC 1051 (QB) 16/05/2008

Intellectual Property

Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd

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

Phillips v (1) News Group Newspapers Ltd (2) Glenn Mulcaire; Coogan v (1) News Group Newspapers Ltd (2) Glenn Mulcaire

[2012] EWCA Civ 48 01/02/2012

General Common Law

Phillips v (1) News Group Newspapers Ltd (2) Glenn Mulcaire; Coogan v (1) News Group Newspapers Ltd (2) Glenn Mulcaire

[2012] EWCA Civ 48 01/02/2012

5RB Talks

5RB talks: 5RB Podcasts on Interim Injunctions

26 Apr 2018
With Desmond Browne CBE KC, Adam Speker KC & Alexandra Marzec

Publications

The Law of Privacy and the Media

Oxford University Press
By Alexandra Marzec. 17 Oct 2002

In 5RB News

26 Oct 2023

Clarke v Guardian News & Media Ltd: Trial of Preliminary Issues

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

11 May 2023

Alexandra Marzec appointed Deputy Master

7 Oct 2022

5RB named top set by The Legal 500

Directory rankings also released

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

10 Dec 2020

Sir James & Lady Deirdre Dyson v Associated Newspapers

Statement in open court

20 Nov 2020

5RB Wins Defamation, Privacy & Data Protection Awards

28 Sep 2020

Chambers UK Bar Awards 2020

5RB Nominated for Defamation Set of the Year

6 Aug 2020

Court rules in favour of Duchess

Five friends’ names remain private

3 Jun 2020

Supreme Court dismisses appeal in Serafin

Court of Appeal upheld as to judicial unfairness – re-trial on all issues including s.4

1 May 2020

Judgment handed down in Duchess of Sussex’s case against Mail on Sunday

Court finds for Associated Newspapers in pre-trial application in privacy case brought by the Duchess of Sussex

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

31 Jan 2020

Statement in Open Court for Licensing Officer

Claim by Wajed Iqbal concludes

14 Jan 2020

Sir James & Lady Dyson v Associated Newspapers: trial of meaning

High Court to hear argument in a Trial of Preliminary Issues of the meaning of news articles

18 Jun 2019

5RB at the London Legal Walk 2019

27 Jun 2018

Mail apologises to Earl Spencer

Statement in open court read after settlement of libel claim over false Diana allegation

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

25 May 2017

5RB at the London Legal Walk 2017

Over £2,500 raised for LLST, FRU and the Bar Pro Bono Unit

11 Nov 2016

Neighbours’ dispute leads to £32,080 award of damages

Claims in false imprisonment, slander and harassment succeed

19 May 2016

5RB at the London Legal Walk 2016

£2,157.19 raised for LLSU, FRU and the Bar Pro Bono Unit

11 May 2016

Privacy: Statements in open court

Same principles apply as in defamation cases

17 Sep 2015

Chambers UK Bar Awards 2015

5RB Nominated for Defamation Set of the Year

26 Aug 2015

Permission to appeal in MGN phone hacking case

Kitchin LJ grants permission on damages award

21 May 2015

Judgment in MGN phone-hacking case

Mann J awards 'very substantial' damages to Claimants

31 Oct 2014

5RB tops Chambers & Partners 2015

Set and 19 barristers recommended in UK Bar Guide

21 Jul 2014

Garcia v ANL trial begins in the High Court

Two-week libel claim being heard by Mr Justice Dingemans

22 Dec 2011

Mulcaire wins NGN indemnity claim

The private investigator at the heart of the phone hacking scandal wins High Court action to enforce costs agreement

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

20 May 2011

Phone hacking test cases chosen

Five lead and five reserve lead cases to go forward

15 Apr 2011

Phone hacking ‘test’ cases to be tried

Vos J orders parties to identify 4 or 5 cases to go forward to determine common issues in News of the World claims

5 Nov 2010

5RB tops directory ranking

Chambers & Partners 2011 edition praises set

26 Apr 2010

Les Mis star wins libel compensation

But actor Simon Bowman ordered to pay majority of costs after rejecting settlement offers

4 Nov 2009

Cole settles privacy claim

Footballer’s claim over “kiss-and-tell” newspaper articles ends with settlement

24 Sep 2009

5RB’s juniors: the Legal 500 verdict

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

23 Jul 2009

Tom Bower wins Desmond libel case

Jury verdict in favour of defendant author over comments about Express owner

7 Jul 2009

Richard Desmond libel trial stopped

Trial of claim against Conrad Black biographer to restart on Monday

2 Apr 2009

George wins 75K libel damages

Former Eastenders actor successful in claim against The Sun

24 Mar 2009

Eastenders actor’s libel trial begins

The Sun defends girlfriend abuse allegations

1 Feb 2008

Big Brother’s Lisa loses libel appeal

Court of Appeal dismisses appeal on 'transsexual' meaning

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

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

17 Oct 2005

Jockey Club sees off challenge

Appeal Board is not amenable to Judicial Review

21 Sep 2005

5RB tops annual Legal 500 Review

17 barristers named as leaders in their field

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

24 Sep 2004

5RB top in Legal 500 Review

15 barristers named as leaders in their field

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