Ben Gallop - 5RB Barristers

Ben joined 5RB in 2019 from specialist media law set One Brick Court. He specialises in all aspects of media, communications and information law and accepts instructions across all areas of Chambers’ practice.

Ben’s clients include national newspaper and magazine publishers, broadcasters, politicians, NGOs, charities, and public authorities. He acts for both claimants and defendants.

Recent work of interest includes acting for:

the Daily Telegraph (led by Adrienne Page KC) in the defence of a libel and data protection claim brought by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou (Haji-Ioannou v Telegraph Media Group & Anr [2020] EWHC 2922 (QB)).
Associated Newspapers (led by Andrew Caldecott KC) in the defence of a malicious prosecution claim brought by Max Mosley.
Johnston Press (led by Lord Garnier KC) in the defence of a libel claim by the owner of a nursing home (Scarsdale Grange LLP v JPI Media & Ors [2020] EWHC 1988 (QB).
Associated Newspapers (led by Andrew Caldecott KC) in the defence of a libel claim by Conservative peer Lord Sheikh (Sheikh v ANL [2019] EWHC 2947 (QB)).

In addition to Chambers’ core areas of practice, Ben has advised or acted for media organisations, and others, in a range of open justice and reporting restrictions matters, including in the criminal and family courts. Recent work includes a successful application to discharge a s.(4)(2) postponement order in R v Whatley; acting for a number of media organisations in a successful application for letters of reference written by an MP to the Crown Court Judge who sentenced her son for drugs offences; for a major news publisher in injunction proceedings in the Court of Protection; and, for the local authority in proceedings concerning British orphans in Syria ([2019] EWHC 3202 (Fam)).

Ben has particular expertise in media regulation, having been Head of Complaints at the Independent Press Standards Organisation before joining the bar. He provides pre-publication advice to clients including The Daily Telegraph and is a contributor to Arlidge, Eady & Smith on Contempt of Court and Bullen, Jacob & Leakes’ Precedents of Pleadings (Chapters on Defamation and Malicious Falsehood, with Jane Phillips and Kate Wilson).

Ben is listed as a rising star in defamation and privacy in the Legal 500 2021.

Called

2017 Called to the Bar of England and Wales

Education

University of Cambridge (Pembroke College) MA Law
University College London, LLM (Distinction)
City University, BPTC (Outstanding)
Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn

Areas of work

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

Testimonials

Legal 500 UK Bar 2024

(Leading Junior) Ranked: Tier 4

“His attention to detail, legal knowledge and client management skills are impeccable.”

Legal 500 UK Bar 2021

(Rising stars) Ranked: Tier 1

‘A great barrister with helpful experience gained at the regulator, IPSO. He has an exceptional knowledge in this area of law, well-above his level of call. Ben is certainly one to watch for the future!’