Contacting 5RB during the Covid-19 lockdown
Although 5RB‘s premises are closed during the lockdown, chambers continues in full operation remotely. Please assist us by sending documents and instructions electronically. If hard copies are required, please liaise with the clerking team to… Read More »
Defendant’s appeal dismissed in Millett v Corbyn
The Court of Appeal (Vos MR, Sharp P and Warby LJ) has this morning handed down judgment in an appeal brought by the Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP against Saini J’s first instance decision in… Read More »
Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away! Statement in Open Court
Channel 5 has joined in a statement in open court, apologised and agreed to pay substantial damages to a couple who were shown in the television programme Can’t Pay? We’ll Take it Away! Keith Wain… Read More »
Johnny Depp loses appeal bid
The Court of Appeal (Lord Justice Underhill and Lord Justice Dingemans) has today refused permission to Johnny Depp to appeal against the dismissal of his claim for libel against News Group Newspapers and Dan Wootton,… Read More »
Jonathan Barnes formally appointed QC
15 March 2021 Jonathan Barnes – along with the other 2021 silks – has this morning (15 March 2021) received his letters patent by email from the Crown Office. He is now therefore officially designated… Read More »
Mail pays libel damages to psychologist
A clinical psychologist and therapist has won her libel claim against the Mail on Sunday and MailOnline. Dr Elly Hanson issued proceedings over false and defamatory allegations relating to her involvement in Operations Midland and… Read More »
Lachaux s.4 trial heard remotely
The trial of liability in the long-running libel case of Lachaux v Evening Standard Ltd & Independent Print Ltd started on 22 February 2021 and is due to conclude on 1 March. It was heard… Read More »
Emails about departure of former head of British Council in Italy not defamatory
Mr Justice Saini today dismissed claims by Paul Sellers, the former Country Director of the British Council in Italy, that two emails (of three complained of) sent by staff at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office… Read More »
The Duchess of Sussex wins her privacy and copyright claim
The Duchess of Sussex has won her privacy and copyright claim against The Mail on Sunday after Lord Justice Warby gave summary judgment in her favour on liability on her claim for misuse of private… Read More »
Barrister of the week: William Bennett QC
William Bennett has been named by The Lawyer as its “Barrister of the Week”. The magazine published an article about his work which featured his recent involvement in the Duke of Sussex’s libel claim against… Read More »
Duke of Sussex libel settlement
A statement in open court has been read on behalf of the Duke of Sussex, thereby concluding his claim for libel against Associated Newspapers Limited. On 25 October 2020 the Mail on Sunday published the… Read More »
Nicklin J appointed Judge in Charge of Media and Communications List
Former 5RB member Mr Justice Nicklin has been appointed Judge in Charge of the High Court’s Media and Communications List. He takes up the position on 3 February 2021 when Mr Justice Warby – also… Read More »
Adam Wolanski QC named as one of The Lawyer magazine’s Hot 100 for 2021
5RB’s Adam Wolanski QC has today been named in The Lawyer magazine’s Hot 100 list for 2021. The list recognises “the most daring, innovative and creative lawyers from in-house, private practice and the Bar.” The… Read More »
Rachel Riley v Michael Sivier: defence struck out in libel claim
Mrs Justice Collins Rice today handed down judgment in an interim application made by Rachel Riley in her libel action against a blogger, Michael Sivier. The application sought the striking out of defences of truth,… Read More »
Jonathan Barnes appointed to QC
5RB is delighted that Jonathan Barnes is included in the announcement of new QCs for 2021. Jonathan has spent his entire career at the Bar with 5RB – joining as a pupil in 1999. Before that he… Read More »
5RB talks – webinar
On Thursday evening, 10 December 2020, 5RB‘s Jonathan Barnes along with Aidan Eardley, Jonathan Scherbel-Ball and Chloe Strong discussed a selection of key judgments of the term virtually. The cases explored included: Burleigh v Telegraph… Read More »
Sir James & Lady Deirdre Dyson v Associated Newspapers
The libel claim brought by Sir James and Lady Deirdre Dyson against Associated Newspapers today concluded with the reading of a unilateral statement in open court by the Claimants’ solicitor, Rachel Atkins, before Mr Justice Nicklin…. Read More »
The Times pays libel damages to Barbara Hewson
The Times today stated in its Corrections & Clarifications column that the allegation made in an article published in April 2017 (and until recently on The Times website) that the barrister Barbara Hewson had made… Read More »
Successful defence for HarperCollins and author in mammoth Australian libel claim
In Herron v HarperCollins Publishers Australia Pty Ltd (No 3) [2020] FCA 1687 HarperCollins and Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalist Steve Cannane have successfully defended a libel claim in which they were forced to prove the truth of… Read More »
Meaning of Coleen Rooney’s social media posts determined in Vardy v Rooney libel case
Mr Justice Warby has determined the meaning of posts on Instagram and Twitter by the Defendant, Coleen Rooney, in this high profile libel case. The action arises from statements made by Coleen Rooney in connection… Read More »
5RB Wins Defamation, Privacy & Data Protection Awards
5RB has been named Defamation, Privacy and Data Protection Set of the year at the 2020 Chambers UK Bar Awards. Adrienne Page QC was named Silk of the Year. Other members of 5RB to be… Read More »