Legal 500 2020
“Impressive advocate with an extremely high success rate.”
Chambers & Partners 2020
“Very approachable and down to earth, and has lots of trial experience.” “He’s extremely good: very straightforward and excellent value for money.”
Directories 2017 – 2019
“He’s tenacious, practical and always works hard to achieve a positive result. He’s very well regarded for his advice and the outcomes he achieves are first-rate.”
‘A brilliant cross-examiner and trial advocate.’
“He is an excellent advocate who has conducted a number of trials. He’s a pleasure to work with.”
William has acted in some of the most significant cases of recent years.
PRIVACY & BREACH OF CONFIDENCE
Ali & Aslam v Channel 5 Ground-breaking claim for misuse of private information arising out of the broadcast of an episode of Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away! which showed the Claimants being evicted from their home. William was the trial advocate for the Claimants, who were awarded damages.
Guardian: Couple filmed being evicted on Channel 5 TV show win damages
Gareth Bull v Donna Desporte Acted at trial for the Claimant, a winner of the Euromillions lottery, in order to prevent the publication of private information contained in his former lover’s memoir. Injunction granted and damages awarded.
Paul Burrell v Max Clifford Trial advocate for the Claimant. Successful claim for damages arising out of a misuse of private information whereby Max Clifford had forwarded a letter written in confidence to him by Mr Burrell to Rebekah Brookes, who was at the time the Editor of the News of the World.
BBC News: Royal butler Paul Burrell wins damages from Max Clifford
AVB v TDD Trial counsel for the Claimant in a claim for misuse of private information, breach of confidence and harassment. Injunction granted at the conclusion of the trial re misuse of private information and breach of confidence.
Evening Standard: Top City lawyer in his sixties wins injunction battle with prostitute
Successful claims for Paul Gascoigne for misuse of private information against the Sun and the Daily Star.
Acted for a number of News of the World and Mirror Group phone hacking claimants including Nigel Farage and Paul Burrell.
DEFAMATION
Martin Lewis v Facebook Acted for Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert, in groundbreaking claim against Facebook for the publication of adverts showing showing fake endorsements supposedly given by Mr Lewis, usually for bitcoin investment schemes. Record-breaking settlement achieved by which Facebook agreed to donate £3m to Citizens Advice to set up a new UK Anti Scams Action Project.
Sky News: Martin Lewis settles lawsuit against Facebook over scam ads: “this case may set an uncomfortable practical precedent for Facebook. By agreeing to take, as it puts it, “a leadership role”, the social network has accepted some measure of responsibility for the content its users see. To see how that could make life difficult for Facebook, it’s worth considering a fact that went unmentioned in the cosy press conference held to announce the news. As well as donating £3m to Citizens Advice, Facebook settled with Martin Lewis for what he says is “a six-figure sum” covering his costs, making it, in his eyes, “a definite win”.”
Jack Monroe v Katie Hopkins Trial advocate for the Claimant. Katie Hopkins ordered to pay damages for defamatory tweets. First time that the requirement for a claimant to prove serious harm to reputation (further to s.1 Defamation Act 2013) considered in respect of libels published on Twitter.
BBC News: Jack Monroe wins Katie Hopkins Libel Tweet Case
Guardian: Jack Monroe wins Twitter Libel Case against Katie Hopkins
FlyMeNow v Quick Air Charter Trial advocate for the Defendant. Words complained of found to be partially true and, due to other mitigating factors, Claimant only awarded derisory damages of £10 and ordered to pay nearly all of the Defendant’s costs.
Flood v Times Newspapers Junior Counsel for the Claimant. The leading case on the public interest defence under the Defamation Act 2013. It is probably the most complex and long-running case in the history of libel litigation. In addition to the Reynolds and quantum trials, two Court of Appeal and two Supreme Court appeals, there were nine other hearings. The relevant article was first published in June 2006 and the claim did not conclude until the Supreme Court handed down its second judgment in the case in April 2017.
Appointed as amicus curiae by the Privy Council for the purpose of an appeal in Pinard-Byrne v Linton, an appeal from the Court of Appeal of Dominica concerning a Reynolds/public interest defence.
INTERIM AND PERMANENT INJUNCTIONS IN PRIVACY AND HARASSMENT
MNO v TDD Breach of confidence injunction application against plot arising from massive data theft/breach.
ADA v AXA Without notice application to prevent publication of a mass circulation email containing medical information.
AVB v TDD Without notice application followed by a contested Return Date at which injunction to prevent publication of private information and harassment granted.
TKA v XKA Without notice application to obtain injunction to protect a child from being harassed by neighbours.
ABK v KDT & FGH Without notice injunction in revenge porn case.
DIRECT ACCESS
William accepts instructions on a direct access basis.
MEDIATION
CEDR accredited mediator
ADDITIONAL FACTS
Contributor to Blackstone’s Guide to the Defamation Act 2013
William has given presentations to the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee on the current state of English defamation law and to the Institute for Advanced Legal Studies on jurisdiction/applicable law in defamation claims.
The Solicitors Journal has published his articles on defamation law reform:Think Again and The Jury’s Out.
He wrote the Bar Council’s Law Reform Committee’s paper submitted to Parliament in regard to the formulation of the Defamation Bill.
He appeared in two editions of the BBC documentary series See You in Court regarding his involvement in the case of Paramaswaran Subramanyam, the Tamil hunger striker, and advising Lembit Opik not to sue the Sunday Times columnist Rod Liddle.
He was a panellist with David Aaronovitch, Peter Oborne and David Allen Green at the Frontline Club in a discussion re Celebrities, super-injunctions and phone hacking.
William has appeared on Sky News on several occasions in order to discuss privacy injunctions.
Called
1994 Called to the Bar of England and Wales
2019 Silk
Education
Common Professional Examination (College of Law) - 1992-1993
Bar Vocational Course (Inns of Court School of Law) - 1993-94
Areas of work
Reporting the Courts and Contempt
Data Protection and Information Law
Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
Injunctive Relief
Privacy and Confidence
Testimonials
Consistently recommended as a leading defamation counsel in both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.
Chambers & Partners & Legal 500 2008 – 2017
“Specialist media junior focusing on libel, breach of confidence and privacy. He regularly appears as sole counsel and is led by eminent silks in the field. He appears for both claimants and defendants in high-profile disputes.”
“He’s tenacious, practical and always works hard to achieve a positive result. He’s very well regarded for his advice and the outcomes he achieves are first-rate.”
‘A brilliant cross-examiner and trial advocate.’
One of the leading juniors at the Bar with a very busy practice. He is an excellent advocate who has conducted a number of trials. He’s a pleasure to work with.”
“Specialist media junior focusing on libel, breach of confidence and privacy. He regularly appears as sole counsel and is led by eminent silks in the field. He appears for both claimants and defendants in high-profile disputes.”
“He’s tenacious, practical and always works hard to achieve a positive result. He’s very well regarded for his advice and the outcomes he achieves are first-rate.”
‘A brilliant cross-examiner and trial advocate.’
“One of the leading juniors at the Bar with a very busy practice. He is an excellent advocate who has conducted a number of trials. He’s a pleasure to work with.”
Regularly acts as sole counsel opposite some of London’s most experienced QCs. Clients go to him due to the measured approach he takes to heavyweight cases.
He’s diligent, thoughtful and very good in court.
He is a good advocate, who is calm and very articulate.
Demonstrates real strength in all he does. He is self-reliant, fearless and an amazing one-man band when he needs to be.
A strongly analytical barrister who is very good with clients. He is known for his efficient, results-oriented approach.
He has phenomenal ability as an advocate.
Capable of running things without hand-holding.
Bright, approachable and good with clients.
He’s diligent, thoughtful and very good in court.
Thinks outside the box.
A dynamic character.
Precise and analytical, distilling facts easily.
Dominic Crossley – Partner, Payne Hicks Beach
William’s approach to the claim was 1st class throughout. He was cheerful, unpretentious, readily available when called upon and able to respond to the actions of an unpredictable opposition. At trial his strategy and straight-forward manner ensured that the client’s case was perfectly presented. I am continuing to instruct William and hope that we can remain a successful team.
Featured cases
Flood v Times Newspapers Limited (SC)
[2012] UKSC 11 21/03/2012
Cambridge v Makin
[2012] EWCA Civ 85 09/02/2012
Purnell v Business F1 Magazine Ltd & Another
14/03/2006 14/03/2006
All cases
Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
Corbyn v Millett
[2021] EWCA Civ 567 20/04/2021
Flymenow Limited v Quick Air Jet Charter GmbH
[2016] EWHC 3197 (QB) 16/12/2016
Begg v BBC
[2016] EWHC 2688 (QB) 28/10/2016
Pinard-Byrne v Linton
[2015] UKPC 41 12/10/2015
Qadir v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2012] EWHC 2606 (QB); [2013] EMLR 15 05/10/2012
Flood v Times Newspapers Limited (SC)
[2012] UKSC 11 21/03/2012
Wood v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police (CA)
[2004] EWCA Civ 1638; [2005] EMLR 449; The Times, 13 December 2004 08/12/2004
Privacy and Confidence
YXB v TNO
[2015] EWHC 826 (QB) 25/03/2015
Reporting the Courts and Contempt
YXB v TNO
[2015] EWHC 826 (QB) 25/03/2015
Qadir v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2012] EWHC 2606 (QB); [2013] EMLR 15 05/10/2012
Injunctive Relief
YXB v TNO
[2015] EWHC 826 (QB) 25/03/2015
5RB Talks
5RB Talks: Cardiff
13 Mar 2015
With Christina Michalos KC, William Bennett KC & David Hirst
In 5RB News
30 Nov 2022
Panorama reporter wins libel claim
John Ware awarded £90,000 in damages
15 Nov 2022
Substantial damages for reality show victim
Channel 5 apologies to Ms Amel Fridhi
7 Oct 2022
5RB named top set by The Legal 500
Directory rankings also released
4 Oct 2022
Apology to John Ware
Statement in open court
11 Aug 2022
Rachel Riley decision upheld
Laura Murray's appeal dismissed
20 Jul 2022
Appeal in Riley v Murray
20 Dec 2021
Rachel Riley wins libel action against Laura Murray
TV presenter wins Twitter libel case
12 Nov 2021
Permission to appeal granted in George v Cannell & Anor
9 Nov 2021
Judgment handed down in George v Cannell & Anor
Saini J dismisses claims in libel, slander per se and malicious falsehood
20 Apr 2021
Defendant’s appeal dismissed in Millett v Corbyn
Court of Appeal dismisses Jeremy Corbyn’s appeal against decisions that publication complained of consisted of statements of fact, not opinion, and defamed the Claimant
19 Apr 2021
Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away! Statement in Open Court
Channel 5 apologises and agrees to pay substantial damages
5 Feb 2021
Barrister of the week: William Bennett QC
William Bennett profiled by The Lawyer
1 Feb 2021
Duke of Sussex libel settlement
Unilateral statement in open court
10 Dec 2020
Sir James & Lady Deirdre Dyson v Associated Newspapers
Statement in open court
10 Dec 2020
The Times pays libel damages to Barbara Hewson
The Times accepts that death threats allegation not true
20 Nov 2020
5RB Wins Defamation, Privacy & Data Protection Awards
22 Jul 2020
Statements in Open Court for Labour Party whistleblowers and John Ware
Pending claims against Labour Party by seven whistleblowers and journalist John Ware conclude
10 Jul 2020
Court determines meaning of defamatory statements in libel case against Jeremy Corbyn
The meaning of Jeremy Corbyn MP's statements about Richard Millett held to be statements of fact and to be defamatory at common law
24 Apr 2020
Court determines meaning in Rachel Riley v Laura Murray libel case
The meaning of the tweet complained of held to be statements of fact and opinion and to be defamatory at common law
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
24 Oct 2019
Alison Morgan QC vindicated re her role in the prosecution of Ben Stokes
Conclusion of claims against The Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail
4 Jul 2019
QC succeeds at trial of preliminary issue
Claimant's meaning upheld, article found to defame at common law and to have a tendency to cause serious harm
1 Jul 2019
Euromillions winner succeeds in privacy claim
Defendant ordered to pay £10,000 in general and £2,500 in aggravated damages
11 Apr 2018
Permission to Appeal granted in “Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!” case
Arnold J grants the Claimants permission to appeal on quantum
22 Feb 2018
‘Can’t Pay? We’ll Take It Away!’ Claimants win £20,000
Judgment handed down in privacy case
6 Feb 2018
5RB ‘stands above the competition’
Leaders and juniors praised in new edition of Who's Who Legal
11 Jan 2018
Katie Hopkins refused permission to appeal
Sharp LJ refuses PTA against decision of Warby J; also refuses permission in Guise v Shah
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
“Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away!” summary judgment application dismissed
Privacy claim to proceed to trial
11 Apr 2017
Supreme Court unanimously dismisses appeals by media defendants
Recoverability of CFA success fees and ATE premiums upheld
10 Mar 2017
Jack Monroe wins libel claim against Katie Hopkins
Monroe awarded £24,000 over two tweets
19 Dec 2016
FlyMeNow awarded ‘minimal’ damages
Defences of qualified privilege and justification fail but damages reduced to £10
22 Feb 2016
Paul Burrell wins privacy claim
Max Clifford ordered to pay £5,000 in damages
7 Jan 2016
Claimant succeeds in latest serious harm trial
Email sent to 124 people found to have caused serious harm to reputation
24 Apr 2015
Mosque dispute claimants awarded £45,000 each
Fourth Defendant found to have defamed the claimants by causing publication on a website and distributing a dossier of documents
22 Apr 2015
Privy Council hears libel appeal
Board considers Reynolds defence
26 Mar 2015
Footballer refused privacy injunction
Warby J finds material non-disclosure in alleged "blackmail" claim
Contact
Email: clerks@5rb.com
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