Jonathan Barnes KC

Jonathan Barnes KC

Jonathan acts across 5RB’s specialist areas of defamation, privacy, confidence, data protection, media and information law. His work regularly involves urgent injunction issues extending to harassment, blackmail, the Internet and other forms of electronic media and communication. Jonathan co-wrote two chapters for Blackstone’s Guide to The Defamation Act 2013 and was the author of the chapter on data protection in The Law of Privacy and the Media, OUP, 3rd edition, 2016.

Jonathan was trial counsel in Economou v de Freitas – the first full trial of the public interest publication defence under section 4 of the Defamation Act 2013; and since taking silk for the successful broadcaster defendant in the libel case of Junejo v New Vision TV Ltd. He led for the claimants in the Supreme Court WM Morrison Payroll Information Group Litigation concerning an employer’s vicarious liability in the context of a payroll data leak. He also acted for the claimants in NT1 & NT2 v Google LLC – leading to the first “right to be forgotten” de-listing order made against Google in the UK.

In addition to his litigation practice Jonathan advises stakeholders, regulators and others concerned with regulation in the media, information and communications sectors. He also has broader experience in commercial litigation and arbitration. Before being called to the bar he qualified as a solicitor with Richards Butler where he then practised in insurance, professional negligence, shipping and other commercial disputes and undertook a secondment to the BBC. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb).

As well as Jonathan’s court work he has represented clients at the Broadcasting Standards Commission (now OFCOM), the Office of Fair Trading, the Employment Tribunals, in FA arbitration proceedings and in London Metal Exchange arbitration proceedings.

Called

1999 Called to the Bar of England and Wales
2021 Silk
2020 Year of recorder

Education

University College, Oxford, BA(Hons), Jurisprudence

Qualifications

Recorder, Crown Court
MCIArb (Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators)
Solicitor (1993 - 1999)

Areas of work

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

Testimonials

Leading/ranked in Who’s Who Legal, Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners for defamation, privacy and data protection:

“Jonathan Barnes provides quick, accessible and no-nonsense advice.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023

Jonathan has very strong advocacy and strategic skills. He is frank in his assessments, always from a place of what is best for the client.’
Legal 500, 2022

“His knowledge of defamation is encyclopedic; he really rolls his sleeves up and clients really love him.”
“He is extremely conscientious and hard-working and his advice is spot-on.”
“He’s very straight-talking, practical, pragmatic and direct.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022

Gets to the heart of a matter very quickly and what is necessary to present the best case. Excellent before a judge.
Very bright, hardworking and a pleasure to work with.
Legal 500, 2021

Memberships

Lincoln's Inn, Advocacy Trainer
Advocate (formerly Bar Pro Bono Unit) - panel counsel and case reviewer
Barristers' Fitness to Practice and Disciplinary Tribunals & Visitors to the Inns of Court (2007 - 2012)

Featured cases

WM Morrison Supermarkets plc (Appellant) v Various Claimants (Respondents)

[2020] UKSC 12 01/04/2020

UUU v BBB

[2019] EWHC 3190 (QB) 28/11/2019

(1) NT1 & (2) NT2 v Google LLC

[2018] EWHC 799 (QB; [2018] EMLR 18; [2018] HRLR 13 13/04/2018

Alexander Economou v David de Freitas

[2016] EWHC 1853 (QB); [2017] EMLR 4 27/07/2016

All cases

Defamation and Malicious Falsehood

Farhan Junejo v New Vision TV Limited

[2021] EWHC 2366 (QB) 24/08/2021

(1) Greensill Capital (UK) Limited (2) Alexander Greensill v Reuters News And Media Limited

[2020] EWHC 1325 (QB) 06/04/2021

Alexander Economou v David de Freitas

[2016] EWHC 1853 (QB); [2017] EMLR 4 27/07/2016

Alvaro Sobrinho v Impresa Publishing SA

[2016] EWHC 66 (QB); [2016] EMLR 12 22/01/2016

Mir Shakil-Ur-Rahman v ARY Network Limited & Fayaz Ghafoor

[2015] EWHC 2917 (QB) 27/11/2015

Rufus v Elliott (preliminary issue)

[2015] EWHC 807 (QB) 24/03/2015

Rufus v Elliott (CA)

[2015] EWCA Civ 121; [2015] EMLR 17 20/02/2015

Fox v Boulter (disclosure)

[2013] EWHC 4012 (QB) 18/12/2013

Rufus v Elliott

[2013] EWHC 3355 (QB) 01/11/2013

Fox v Boulter

[2013] EWHC 1435 (QB) 05/06/2013

Al Amoudi v Kifle

[2013] EWHC 293 (QB) 13/02/2013

Andrew James Enforcement Ltd v ITV PLC

[2012] EWHC 3503 (QB); LTL AC9301179 30/11/2012

Mengi v Hermitage (No 2)

[2012] EWHC 3445 (QB) 30/11/2012

Mengi v Hermitage (security for costs appeal)

[2012] EWHC 2045 (QB); [2012] 5 Costs LO 641 20/07/2012

Cooper v Turrell

[2011] EWHC 3269 (QB) 12/12/2011

Al-Amoudi v Kifle

[2011] EWHC 2037 (QB) 29/07/2011

McLaughlin & Ors v Newall

[2009] EWHC 1925 (QB) 31/07/2009

Briscoe Mitchell v Hodder & Stoughton Ltd & Anr, Associated Newspapers Limited (non-party)

[2008] EWHC 2852 (QB) 21/11/2008

Club La Costa (UK) PLC v (1) Toby Gebhard (2) Inventory Solutions (UK) Limited

[2008] EWHC 2552 (QB); [2008] WLR (D) 332 24/10/2008

Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (CA)

[2007] EWCA Civ 583; [2007] FSR 29; (2007) HRLR 33; (2007) BusLR 1456; (2007) 97 BMLR 1; (2007) 30(8) IPD 30052; The Times, 27 June 2007 20/06/2007

Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (ChD)

[2007] EWHC 972 (Ch); [2007] FSR 28; (2007) 30(6) IPD 30043 26/04/2007

Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others (No.3)

[2006] EWHC 3289 (QB); [2007] 94 BMLR 1 21/12/2006

Al Amoudi v Brisard & Another

[2006] EWHC 1062 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 113; [2006] 3 All ER 294 16/05/2006

Bunt v Tilley & Others

[2006] EWHC 407 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 1243; [2006] 3 All ER 336; [2006] EMLR 523 10/03/2006

Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others

[2005] EWHC 2410 (QB) 04/11/2005

Creative Resins International Ltd v Glasslam Europe Ltd & Others

[2005] EWHC 777 (QB) 03/05/2005

Jameel & Another v Times Newspapers Ltd (CA)

[2004] EWCA Civ 983; [2004] EMLR 665 21/07/2004

Foster & Another v Associated Newspapers Limited

[2002] EWHC 1885 (QB) 13/09/2002

McManus v Beckham

[2002] EWCA Civ 939; [2002] EMLR 880; [2002] 1 WLR 2982 04/07/2002

Privacy and Confidence

WM Morrison Supermarkets plc (Appellant) v Various Claimants (Respondents)

[2020] UKSC 12 01/04/2020

UUU v BBB

[2019] EWHC 3190 (QB) 28/11/2019

Various Claimants v Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

[2018] EWCA Civ 2239 22/10/2018

(1) NT1 & (2) NT2 v Google LLC

[2018] EWHC 799 (QB; [2018] EMLR 18; [2018] HRLR 13 13/04/2018

Various Claimants v WM Morrisons Supermarket PLC

[2017] EWHC3113 (QB); [2018] IRLR 200; [2018] EMLR 12 01/12/2017

Rufus v Elliott (preliminary issue)

[2015] EWHC 807 (QB) 24/03/2015

Cooper v Turrell

[2011] EWHC 3269 (QB) 12/12/2011

BBC v HarperCollins Publishers Limited

[2010] EWHC 2424 (Ch) 04/10/2010

The Author of a Blog v Times Newspapers Ltd

[2009] EWHC 1358 (QB) 16/06/2009

Briscoe Mitchell v Hodder & Stoughton Ltd & Anr, Associated Newspapers Limited (non-party)

[2008] EWHC 2852 (QB) 21/11/2008

Murray v Big Pictures (UK) Ltd (CA)

[2008] EWCA Civ 446; [2008] 3 WLR 1360; [2008] EMLR 399; [2008] EHRR 736; [2008] 2 FLR 599; [2008] HRLR 33; [2008] UKHRR 736; The Times, 12 May 2008 07/05/2008

Northern Rock PLC v Financial Times Limited & Others

[2007] EWHC 2677 (QB) 16/11/2007

Murray v Express Newspapers plc & Another

[2007] EWHC 1908 (Ch); [2007] EMLR 583; [2007] 3 FCR 331; [2007] HRLR 44; [2007] UKHRR 1322; [2007] Fam Law 1073; (2007) 157 NLJ 1199; (2008) 1 FLR 704; The Times, 4 October 2007 07/08/2007

RWD Technologies Ltd v Gibbs & Others

[2002] 8 CL 42 12/12/2001

Harassment

UUU v BBB

[2019] EWHC 3190 (QB) 28/11/2019

Bunt v Tilley & Others

[2006] EWHC 407 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 1243; [2006] 3 All ER 336; [2006] EMLR 523 10/03/2006

Blackmail

UUU v BBB

[2019] EWHC 3190 (QB) 28/11/2019

Injunctive Relief

UUU v BBB

[2019] EWHC 3190 (QB) 28/11/2019

(1) NT1 & (2) NT2 v Google LLC

[2018] EWHC 799 (QB; [2018] EMLR 18; [2018] HRLR 13 13/04/2018

Cooper v Turrell

[2011] EWHC 3269 (QB) 12/12/2011

BBC v HarperCollins Publishers Limited

[2010] EWHC 2424 (Ch) 04/10/2010

Northern Rock PLC v Financial Times Limited & Others

[2007] EWHC 2677 (QB) 16/11/2007

Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (CA)

[2007] EWCA Civ 583; [2007] FSR 29; (2007) HRLR 33; (2007) BusLR 1456; (2007) 97 BMLR 1; (2007) 30(8) IPD 30052; The Times, 27 June 2007 20/06/2007

Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (ChD)

[2007] EWHC 972 (Ch); [2007] FSR 28; (2007) 30(6) IPD 30043 26/04/2007

Fayed v BBC

[2004] EWHC 109 (QB) 08/01/2004

Psychology Press Limited v Nelson Thornes Limited & Another

[2002] EWHC 1205 (QB) 19/06/2002

RWD Technologies Ltd v Gibbs & Others

[2002] 8 CL 42 12/12/2001

Pre-publication Advice

Briscoe Mitchell v Hodder & Stoughton Ltd & Anr, Associated Newspapers Limited (non-party)

[2008] EWHC 2852 (QB) 21/11/2008

Intellectual Property

Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (CA)

[2007] EWCA Civ 583; [2007] FSR 29; (2007) HRLR 33; (2007) BusLR 1456; (2007) 97 BMLR 1; (2007) 30(8) IPD 30052; The Times, 27 June 2007 20/06/2007

Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (ChD)

[2007] EWHC 972 (Ch); [2007] FSR 28; (2007) 30(6) IPD 30043 26/04/2007

Psychology Press Limited v Nelson Thornes Limited & Another

[2002] EWHC 1205 (QB) 19/06/2002

RWD Technologies Ltd v Gibbs & Others

[2002] 8 CL 42 12/12/2001

Human Rights

UUU v BBB

[2019] EWHC 3190 (QB) 28/11/2019

Data Protection and Information Law

WM Morrison Supermarkets plc (Appellant) v Various Claimants (Respondents)

[2020] UKSC 12 01/04/2020

Various Claimants v Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC

[2018] EWCA Civ 2239 22/10/2018

(1) NT1 & (2) NT2 v Google LLC

[2018] EWHC 799 (QB; [2018] EMLR 18; [2018] HRLR 13 13/04/2018

Various Claimants v WM Morrisons Supermarket PLC

[2017] EWHC3113 (QB); [2018] IRLR 200; [2018] EMLR 12 01/12/2017

Murray v Big Pictures (UK) Ltd (CA)

[2008] EWCA Civ 446; [2008] 3 WLR 1360; [2008] EMLR 399; [2008] EHRR 736; [2008] 2 FLR 599; [2008] HRLR 33; [2008] UKHRR 736; The Times, 12 May 2008 07/05/2008

Murray v Express Newspapers plc & Another

[2007] EWHC 1908 (Ch); [2007] EMLR 583; [2007] 3 FCR 331; [2007] HRLR 44; [2007] UKHRR 1322; [2007] Fam Law 1073; (2007) 157 NLJ 1199; (2008) 1 FLR 704; The Times, 4 October 2007 07/08/2007

General Common Law

Fayed v BBC

[2004] EWHC 109 (QB) 08/01/2004

5RB Talks

5RB talks - Lloyd v Google Supreme Court decision

12 Nov 2021
With Jonathan Scherbel-Ball, Felicity McMahon & Jonathan Barnes KC

End of Michaelmas term update 2020

10 Dec 2020
With Jonathan Barnes KC, Aidan Eardley KC, Jonathan Scherbel-Ball & Chloe Strong

5RB talks - the Supreme Court decision in the Morrisons data breach case

9 Apr 2020
With Jonathan Barnes KC, Aidan Eardley KC & Felicity McMahon

5RB Talks: Manchester

15 May 2015
With Jonathan Barnes KC, Richard Munden, Chloe Strong & Adrienne Page KC

Articles

Vicarious liability for misuse of private information

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 28 Sep 2016

High profile divorce fuels discussion on family court reporting - Appleton v Gallagher

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 22 Apr 2016

Libel and Slander - The Defamation Act 2013

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 17 Apr 2015

Defamation County Court - Why Not?

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 28 Aug 2014

The Defamation Act 2013 – 6 months on

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 1 Jul 2014

Non-disclosure injunctions - the new landscape

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 24 Oct 2012

Are the hunters becoming the hunted? The role of the paparazzi after recent rulings

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 19 Nov 2009

Electronic Harassment - Steps to Protect Employees

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 9 Jul 2007

Join the parties - CPR 5.4

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 1 Mar 2007

Freedom of Information Act 2000: enhanced access to information

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 24 Nov 2004

Harry Potter and the John Doe injunction

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 1 Nov 2003

CPR disclosure and the Data Protection Act 1998

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 31 Jul 2003

When is a judge not a judge?

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 1 Jun 2003

Grobbelaar: Pyrrhic victory as libel jury's verdict restored.

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 1 Feb 2003

Cartoons and the law of libel

By Jonathan Barnes KC. 1 Jun 2002

Publications

The Law of Privacy and the Media 3rd Edition

OUP
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 22 Jan 2016

Blackstone's Guide to the Defamation Act 2013

Oxford University Press
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 19 Sep 2013

Tugendhat & Christie: The Law of Privacy and the Media, Second Edition

Oxford University Press
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 17 Mar 2011

The Law of Privacy and the Media

Oxford University Press
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 17 Oct 2002

In 5RB News

3 Nov 2023

Net Benefit? The Online Safety Bill receives Royal Assent

Jonathan Barnes KC and Samuel Rowe review the Online Safety Act 2023

20 Oct 2023

5RB tops rankings in Chambers & Partners

12 Oct 2023

5RB and Hiscox panel on AI

Risks and Opportunities of Generative AI: Panel Discussion

5 Oct 2023

5RB named Tier 1 set in Defamation and privacy by The Legal 500

21 Jul 2023

GEO TV seeks summary judgment

Statutory reporting privilege claimed

14 Jun 2023

5RB supporting London Legal Walk 2023

7 Oct 2022

5RB named top set by The Legal 500

Directory rankings also released

16 Nov 2021

Lloyd v Google Supreme Court decision

5RB barristers review key takeaways from the judgment in this short 5RB talk

24 Aug 2021

NVTV libel claim dismissed: footage not in fact broadcast

Murray J finds for Defendant on preliminary issue

15 Mar 2021

Jonathan Barnes formally appointed QC

Letters patent delivered by email

17 Dec 2020

Jonathan Barnes appointed to QC

5RB congratulates Jonathan on his appointment as Queen's Counsel

7 Oct 2020

Recorder appointments announced

5RB's Jonathan Barnes and Aidan Eardley

9 Apr 2020

5RB talks – the Supreme Court decision in the Morrisons data breach case

Jonathan Barnes, Aidan Eardley and Felicity McMahon discuss

1 Apr 2020

Morrisons appeal allowed by Supreme Court

Application in principle of vicarious liability to data protection confirmed however

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

19 Nov 2019

Supreme Court Judgment awaited in “fascinating” Morrisons data claim

Appeal by Morrisons against liability in mass data leak has been heard by the Supreme Court

6 Nov 2019

Supreme Court begins hearing Morrisons data claim

Two-day appeal in Supreme Court starts today in case concerning massive employee data breach

1 Nov 2019

5RB sweeps the board at Bar Awards

Winning Three Defamation Awards

22 Oct 2018

Court of Appeal Upholds Morrisons Data Breach Claim

Morrisons’ challenge to vicarious liability finding dismissed

13 Apr 2018

Trial establishes English “right to be forgotten”

High Court makes first de-listing order against Google LLC

26 Feb 2018

First “right to be forgotten” case reaches trial

NT1 v Google LLC begins 27 February

1 Dec 2017

Landmark judgment in group litigation data leak claim

Morrisons held vicariously liable for disclosure of employee data

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

9 Oct 2017

Trial in Morrisons data leak case begins

Claim in misuse of private information, breach of confidence and under DPA

16 Dec 2016

First order made under s.12 of the Defamation Act 2013

ARY News broadcaster ordered to broadcast summary of High Court's judgment

2 Dec 2016

Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman awarded £185k libel damages

Media group chairman wins libel claim against ARY News broadcaster over 'traitor' allegations; but loses harassment claim

22 Jan 2016

New edition of The Law of Privacy and the Media published

Read an extract on Privacy, the Internet and Social Media

5 May 2015

5RB Talks: Manchester

5RB's Jonathan Barnes, Richard Munden and Chloe Strong spoke

20 Feb 2015

N-word text appeal dismissed

Court of Appeal judgment in Rufus v Elliott

31 Oct 2014

5RB tops Chambers & Partners 2015

Set and 19 barristers recommended in UK Bar Guide

20 May 2014

5RB at the London Legal Walk

Chambers team raised £2341.25

19 Sep 2013

Blackstone’s Guide to the Defamation Act 2013 published

Guide to the new Act out now

31 Oct 2012

5RB Sponsors National Pro Bono Centre

Chambers continues support for Pro Bono work as Bronze Sponsor

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

30 Aug 2011

Saudi businessman awarded £175,000 libel damages

Award ensures maximum vindication

17 Mar 2011

New edition of privacy book published

Second edition of Tugendhat & Christie: The Law of Privacy and the Media published

5 Nov 2010

5RB tops directory ranking

Chambers & Partners 2011 edition praises set

2 Sep 2010

Stig injunction refused

Court declines to grant interim injunction restraining book publication

15 Apr 2010

Durand School receives libel apology

Father of trainee teacher joins in High Court apology, pays damages and costs

24 Sep 2009

5RB’s juniors: the Legal 500 verdict

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

16 Jun 2009

The Times free to identify blog author

Court refuses interim confidence and privacy injunction applications

28 Oct 2008

Lords refuse leave in Murray

Pushchair privacy claim brought by J.K. Rowling's son to proceed to trial

7 May 2008

Pushchair privacy appeal succeeds

CA reinstates photograph claim and says it must proceed to trial

10 Mar 2008

Pushchair privacy case goes to appeal

J.K. Rowling's son seeks to overturn High Court judgment on photograph

14 Nov 2007

Northern Rock granted injunction against Financial Times

Further reporting of confidential documents prohibited

20 Sep 2007

5RB tops Legal 500

20 Barristers rated and recommended in Defamation, Privacy, Intellectual Property, Sport and Media & Entertainment Law

22 Jun 2007

J. K. Rowling’s son in privacy fight

Photo agency seeks dismissal of claim in relation to pictures of author's child

1 Dec 2006

No retrospective public access to court documents

Law Society secures change to CPR amendments

5 Oct 2006

Court papers access challenge

Media and Law Society in Court over changes to CPR Part 5.4

27 Sep 2006

5RB tops Legal 500 survey

Twenty barristers recommended across core practice areas

12 Jun 2006

Former driving examiner wins £30,000

Claims he 'played the system' completely false

10 Mar 2006

Practical immunity for ISPs confirmed

High Court rules on liability for third party postings on the Web

21 Sep 2005

5RB tops annual Legal 500 Review

17 barristers named as leaders in their field

5 Apr 2005

5RB Speaker Updates Disclosure Conference

Disclosure, Evidence and Privilege Conference 2005

24 Nov 2004

Freedom of information update

5RB member to speak at CLT conference

24 Sep 2004

5RB top in Legal 500 Review

15 barristers named as leaders in their field

3 Nov 2003

Royal Controversy

5RB Instructed

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