Godwin Busuttil

Godwin Busuttil is a highly experienced junior barrister specialising in media and communications law. He acts for both claimants and defendants.

He was Defamation Junior of the Year in the Chambers UK Bar Awards in 2019 and was shortlisted for the same award in 2018. In 2022 he was part of The Lawyer’s Litigation Team of the Year for his work on Abramovich v HarperCollins Publishers Ltd and was also shortlisted by Chambers as the Media, Privacy and Information Law Junior of the Year.

Godwin has represented clients in many significant cases in the field. He has appeared twice in the UK Supreme Court as a junior in media law cases – Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd in 2018 and George v Cannell in 2023 – and followed (addressed the Court himself) on both occasions. He appeared as the sole advocate for the appellants / claimants in the Court of Appeal in the libel cases of Tamiz v Google Inc and Cammish v Hughes. He acted for Sir Cliff Richard and J.K. Rowling and her family in their successful landmark privacy claims Richard v BBC & Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police and Murray v Express Newspapers & Big Pictures (UK) Ltd. He also successfully defended FTI Consulting Group Ltd in the commercial court website conspiracy claim, Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company v Al Refai, in which the claimants had quantified their loss at over £1 billion.

Current or recent cases include Pearson v Chief Constable of Essex Police (libel; meaning); Blake v Fox (libel; serious harm; Court of Appeal & successfully resisting application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court); Veolia ES (UK) Ltd v UNITE The Union (libel; campaign by union against major outsourcing company); Vince v Vince (divorce; transparency orders); Flanagan v Critchley (harassment of teacher using Facebook page); Vince v Associated Newspapers Ltd (libel; innuendo; single meaning rule); George v Cannell (malicious falsehood; construction of s.3, Defamation Act 1952, Supreme Court), Harcombe v Associated Newspapers Ltd (libel; trial of s.4 public interest defence and other issues) and Riley v Murray (libel; defences of truth, honest opinion and publication on a matter of public interest; successful resistance of appeal).

Godwin is a General Editor of Gatley on Libel and Slander, the leading practitioners work. The 13th edition was published in May 2022. It is the fifth edition of the book to which Godwin has contributed. The First Supplement to the 13th edition was published in December 2024. The 14th edition is due to be written and published in 2027. He is also (as of October 2025) the editor of the commentary in the White Book on CPR Part 53 (Media and Communications Claims).

Between 2009 and 2022 Godwin was the Co-Editor of the Entertainment and Media Law Reports, the much cited specialist law reports. He contributes to The Law of Privacy and the Media. He co-wrote a new chapter for the third edition (2016) on ‘Privacy, the Internet and Social Media’, which is currently being updated for the forthcoming fourth edition. Godwin has published and refereed articles in the Journal of Media Law and has written for the Entertainment Law Review. In 2023 he wrote articles on the implications of the (since abandoned) Bill of Rights Bill for freedom of expression cases and reporting financial remedy proceedings in the family courts. He regularly lectures on media law topics, for example on the protections available for whistle-blowers at the International Forum on Quality & Safety in Healthcare in Copenhagen in May 2023.

Godwin has also contributed to many television and radio broadcasts and newspaper articles on media law topics. These include BBC Radio 4’s Law in Action, (in July 2023) the Today programme, BBC Radio 5 Live and The Guardian speaking about the Huw Edwards case, (in November 2023) on Today again talking about the implications of Nicklin J’s judgment in Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, OBE v Associated Newspapers Ltd, and (in December 2023) in the i newspaper talking about an alleged ‘race row’ involving members of the Royal Family (here and here) and, separately, on the BBC News Channel, BBC Breakfast and CNN International discussing the implications of Fancourt J’s judgment in The Duke of Sussex v MGN Ltd. In March 2024 he was a panellist on a new BBC Radio 4 philosophical discussion programme called Ps and Qs speaking on the subject of privacy.

Godwin was a panel member of the Bar Disciplinary Tribunal between 2013 and 2021. He was a member of the Law Commission’s working group on contempt of court. He is also an accredited mediator. In 2012 he was a visiting honorary Senior Fellow in Law at the University of Melbourne, Australia. In 2023 he was instructed as an expert witness on English defamation law in libel proceedings pending before the High Court of Ireland (Delany v Maybourne Hotels Ltd).

Reported and other significant cases:

Pearson v Chief Constable of Essex Police [2026] EWHC 961 (KB) (libel; meaning; Chase level 3 meanings)

Blake v Fox [2025] EWCA Civ 1321 (libel; serious harm; causation in the context of serious harm; quantum of damages)

Vince v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2024] EWHC 1806 (KB) (libel; innuendo case based on headline and captions to photographs; striking out)

Harcombe v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2024] EWHC 1523 (KB); [2025] 1 WLR 405 (libel; preliminary trial; determination of Ds’ s.4 public interest defence; reporting privilege under s.15, Defamation Act 1996 and s.6(5), Defamation Act 2013; application of Curistan; meaning; fact or opinion; whether defendant holds opinion for purposes of s.3(5), Defamation Act 2013)

George v Cannell [2024] UKSC 19; [2025] AC 871; [2024] EMLR 11 (malicious falsehood; construction and application of s.3, Defamation Act 1952; recoverability of damages for injury to feelings)

Stoute v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2023] EWHC 232 (KB) (privacy; interim injunction; applying where interim injunction refused ex parte; reasonable expectation of privacy in public places)

Riley v Murray [2022] EWCA Civ 1146; [2023] EMLR 3 (libel; construction and application of ss.2, 3 and 4, Defamation Act 2013 in the social media context)

George v Cannell [2022] EWCA Civ 1067; [2023] QB 117; [2022] EMLR 22 (malicious falsehood; construction of s.3, Defamation Act 1952; what is necessary for a claimant to prove in a s.3 claim in terms of damage; recoverability of damages for injury to feelings)

Al Maktoum v Al Hussein [2022] EWFC 16; [2022] 2 FCR 357 (family proceedings; reporting welfare judgment)

Harcombe v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2022] EWHC 543 (QB) (libel; case management; split trial; application of Curistan v Times Newspapers Ltd)

Al M (Al Maktoum v Al Hussein) [2021] EWCA Civ 1216; [2022] 2 FLR 206 (family proceedings; fact-finding; fairness)

Abramovich v HarperCollins Publishers Ltd [2021] EWHC 3154 (QB) (libel; preliminary ruling on meaning in relation to ‘Putin’s People’ book)

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd [2021] EWHC 2636 (QB); [2022] EMLR 9 (libel; costs; compatibility of CPR 36.17 with art.10 ECHR)

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd [2021] EWHC 1797 (QB); [2022] EMLR 2 (libel; determination at trial of D’s s.4 public interest defence; damages)

Al M (Al Maktoum v Al Hussein) [2021] EWCA Civ 900 (family proceedings; fact-finding; fairness; permission to appeal)

Al M (Al Maktoum v Al Hussein) [2021] EWHC 1577 (Fam); [2022] 2 FLR 123 (family proceedings; children; child arrangements orders under s.8, Children Act 1989; reporting)

Al M (Al Maktoum v Al Hussein) [2021] EWCA Civ 890 (family proceedings; immunities; permission to appeal; reporting)

Al M (Al Maktoum v Al Hussein) [2021] EWHC 1162 (Fam); [2022] 2 FLR 136 (family proceedings; fact-finding; alleged phone hacking; reporting)

Al M (Al Maktoum v Al Hussein) [2021] EWHC 660 (Fam) (family proceedings; immunities; immunity of prime minister from suit under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984; reporting)

Al M (Al Maktoum v Al Hussein) [2021] EWCA Civ 129 (family proceedings; applicability of foreign act of state doctrine; reporting)

Al M (Al Maktoum v Al Hussein) [2021] EWHC 303 (Fam) (family proceedings; legal services order; reporting)

Al M (Al Maktoum v Al Hussein) [2020] EWHC 3305 (Fam); [2022] 2 FLR 179 (family proceedings; non-molestation injunction; reporting)

Al M (Al Maktoum v Al Hussein) [2020] EWHC 2883 (Fam) (family proceedings; applicability of foreign act of state doctrine; reporting)

Al M (Al Maktoum v Al Hussein) [2020] EWCA Civ 283; [2020] EMLR 15; [2020] 2 FLR 493; [2020] 2 FCR 530 (family proceedings; children; publication of judgments in, and reporting of, family proceedings; role of paramountcy principle)

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd [2019] UKSC 27; [2020] AC 612; [2019] EMLR 22 (libel; ‘serious harm’ requirement under s.1, Defamation Act 2013)

The Hut.com Ltd v Trinity Mirror Plc [2018] EWHC 2480 (QB) (libel; corporate claimants; amendment)

Sir Cliff Richard, OBE v BBC / South Yorkshire Police [2018] EWHC 2115 (Ch) (privacy; decision on permission to appeal)

Sir Cliff Richard, OBE v BBC / South Yorkshire Police [2018] EWHC 2504 (Ch) (Part 36 offers; disclosure)

Sir Cliff Richard, OBE v BBC / South Yorkshire Police [2018] EWHC 1837 (Ch); [2019] Ch 169; [2018] EMLR 26 (privacy; decision on liability, general / aggravated damages and Part 20 claims)

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd [2017] EWCA Civ 1334; [2018] QB 594; [2018] EMLR 1 (libel; ‘serious harm’ requirement under s.1(1), Defamation Act 2013; Jameel abuse of process)

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd [2017] EWCA Civ 1327; [2018] EMLR 2 (libel; injunction to restrain use of legally privileged documents)

Sir Cliff Richard, OBE v BBC / South Yorkshire Police [2017] EWHC 1666 (Ch) (costs budgets; judicial comments on budgets)

Sir Cliff Richard, OBE v BBC / South Yorkshire Police [2017] EWHC 1648 (Ch); [2017] EMLR 25 (correct approach to objections to reading of statement in open court by non-settling co-defendant)

Sir Cliff Richard, OBE v BBC / South Yorkshire Police [2017] EWHC 1291 (Ch); [2017] EMLR 22 (privacy; application for information about BBC’s source)

Lachaux v Lachaux [2017] EWHC 385 (Fam); [2017] 4 WLR 57 (recognition of foreign divorce)

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd [2015] EWHC 3677 (QB) (libel; injunction to restrain use of legally privileged documents)

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd [2015] EWHC 2242 (QB); [2016] QB 402; [2015] EMLR 28 (libel; ‘serious harm’ requirement under s.1(1), Defamation Act 2013; Jameel abuse of process)

Business Energy Solutions Ltd v Scrivener [2015] EWHC 2948 (QB) (libel; ‘serious financial loss’ requirement under s.1(2), Defamation Act 2013)

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd [2015] EWHC 1847 (QB) (libel; extension of time to serve particulars of claim; striking out)

QRS v Beach [2015] EWHC 1489 (QB) (contempt of court; online harassment)

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd [2015] EWHC 915 (QB) (libel; case management; procedural issues arising from s.1, Defamation Act 2013)

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd [2015] EWHC 620 (QB) (libel; determination of meaning)

QRS v Beach [2014] EWHC 4189; [2015] 1 WLR 2701 (online harassment; application to set aside judgment in default where final injunction granted)

QRS v Beach [2014] EWHC 3057 (QB) (online harassment; interim injunction)

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company v Al Refai [2014] EWCA Civ 749 (conspiracy; libel; case management; split trials)

Johnston v League Publications Ltd [2014] EWHC 874 (QB) (libel; determination of meaning)

Euromoney Institutional Investor plc v Aviation News Ltd [2013] EWHC 1505 (QB) (libel; malicious falsehood; striking out)

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company v Al Refai [2013] EWHC 1630 (Comm) (libel; conspiracy; joint tortfeasorship)

Tamiz v Google Inc [2013] EWCA Civ 68; [2013] 1 WLR 2151; [2013] EMLR 14 (libel; leading case on internet service provider liability)

Cammish v Hughes [2012] EWCA Civ 1655; [2013] EMLR 13 (libel; Jameel abuse of process)

Gold v Cox [2012] EWHC 272 (QB); [2012] EWHC 367 (QB) (privacy; interim & final injunction)

Zinda v Ark Academies [2011] EWHC 3394 (QB) (libel; striking out)

STU v UVW [2011] EWHC 3133 (QB) (privacy; interim injunction)

Ambrosiadou v Coward [2010] EWCA Civ 1456 (privacy; interim injunction)

Lonzim Plc v Sprague [2009] EWHC 2838 (QB) (libel & slander; Jameel abuse of process)

Imerman v Tchenguiz [2009] EWHC 2024 (QB); [2010] 1 FCR 14 (breach of confidence; summary judgment)

Clarke v Bain [2008] EWHC 2636 (QB) (libel; damages)

Murray (JK Rowling) v Express Newspapers [2008] EWCA Civ 446; [2009] Ch 481 (privacy; data protection; striking out)

Adelson v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2008] EWHC 278 (QB); [2009] EMLR 10 (libel; open offers to settle; summary judgment)

Adelson v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2007] EWCA Civ 701; [2008] 1 WLR 585 (libel; adding / substituting claimants out of time; corporate claimants)

Re Ward; BBC v CAFCASS Legal [2007] EWHC 616 (Fam); [2007] 2 FLR 765 (family proceedings; reporting restrictions)

Musa King v Telegraph Group Ltd [2004] EWCA Civ 613; [2005] 1 WLR 2282 (libel; costs)

Maxine Carr v News Group Newspapers Ltd (14 May 2004) (contra mundum reporting restrictions in relation to convicted murderer)

Medway Council v BBC [2002] 1 FLR 104 (family proceedings; injunction)

Jockey Club v Buffham [2002] EWHC 1866 (QB); [2003] QB 462 (contempt of court; breach of confidence; Spycatcher principle)

Carlton Communications plc v News Group Newspapers Ltd [2001] EWCA Civ 1644; [2002] EMLR 299 (libel; meaning)

Carden v Jockey Club / Southwell Racecourse (July 2000) (successful defence of negligence claim brought by injured jockey at a five-week trial)

Nicholls v BBC [1999] EMLR 791 (CA) (confidentiality; jigsaw identification; risk of death or serious injury)

Neil Hamilton v Mohammed Al Fayed (December 1999, libel trial)

Gaddafi v Telegraph Group Ltd [1998] EWCA Civ 1626; [2000] EMLR 431 (libel; qualified privilege for the media)

Re G (Celebrities: Publicity) [1999] 1 FLR 409 (CA) (family proceedings; reporting restrictions)