Patrick McCafferty KC to be sworn in as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland
5RB is delighted to announce that Associate Member Patrick McCafferty KC has been appointed to the Supreme Court of Queensland. He will be sworn in on Monday 24 November 2025 and has been assigned to… Read More »
High Court condemns ‘unsubstantiated character assassination’ in £70,000 libel judgment
Dr Matthew Garrett, a software engineer and free software activist, has been awarded £70,000 in damages for libel in a judgment by the High Court. Dr Garrett issued libel proceedings over a number of defamatory… Read More »
Chambers UK Bar Awards 2025
5RB has won the Media, Privacy, Information Law Set of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2025. Members of chambers were also shortlisted in the following categories. Media, Privacy, Information Law – Set Media,… Read More »
McGrail Inquiry delivers its final report in Gibraltar
The Inquiry into the Retirement of the Former Commissioner of Police has today delivered its Final Report to the Government of Gibraltar. Julian Santos and Hope Williams of 5RB acted as Counsel to the Inquiry since 2022,… Read More »
Claimant refused permission to appeal in Hegab v Spectator
The Court of Appeal (Civil Division) has refused Mohamed Hegab permission to appeal against the judgment of Johnson J in the High Court ([2025] EWHC 2043 (KB)), which dismissed Mr Hegab’s claims in libel and… Read More »
Identifying wrongdoers – Is there a third, even better alternative?
Article by 5RB’s Chris Zabilowicz The question of how best to identify anonymous online wrongdoers has become increasingly pressing for media and privacy practitioners. Traditionally, claimants have relied on Norwich Pharmacal Orders (“NPOs”) to obtain… Read More »
Dale Vince granted permission to appeal
The Court of Appeal (Civil Division) has granted Dale Vince permission to appeal against the judgment of Swift J in the High Court ([2025] EWHC 1411 (KB)), which struck out Mr Vince’s claim against Associated… Read More »
Duncan and Neill on Defamation 6th Edition
Duncan and Neill on Defamation and other Media and Communications Claims 6th Edition The sixth edition of this highly regarded work is now available. Published by LexisNexis Butterworths, this publication is intended to be a… Read More »
Settlement in Richard Taylor v (1) Pathe Productions (2) Baby Cow Productions and (3) Steve Coogan
A claim by Mr Richard Taylor for libel arising from the film The Lost King has settled in his favour. A statement in open court was read on behalf of Mr Taylor today by 5RB’s… Read More »
Court of Appeal Judgment in Blake & Ors v Fox
On Friday, the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in Blake & Ors v Fox ([2025] EWCA Civ 1321). The Court of Appeal allowed Mr Fox’s appeal in part against the decision of Collins Rice… Read More »
5RB ranked in Chambers and Partners 2026 Guide
5RB is pleased to announce that 32 members of Chambers have been ranked in the Chambers and Partners 2026. Chambers is also ranked in Defamation & Privacy (Band 1) and Data Protection (Band 3). You… Read More »
5RB Charity Annual Quiz Night 2025
Last week, 5RB hosted its 17th Annual Charity Quiz at the Crypt on the Green to raise funds for Advocate and the Free Representation Unit. This year, we were joined by 24 teams from various… Read More »
Julian Santos appointed King’s Counsel in Gibraltar
5RB is delighted to announce that Julian Santos has been appointed King’s Counsel in Gibraltar. Julian was called to the Bar in 2008 and has practised at 5RB since he became a tenant in 2014…. Read More »
5RB ranked as Leading Set at The Legal 500 2026
5RB has been ranked in The Legal 500 2026 as a leading set in Defamation and Privacy and Tier 2 in Data Protection. Congratulations to all ranked members, and a special mention goes to our… Read More »
5RB welcomes Chris Zabilowicz as a new tenant
Congratulations and welcome to Chris Zabilowicz, who has joined 5RB as a new member of Chambers, having successfully completed his pupillage. During this period, Chris experienced the full range of Chambers’ specialist areas of practice, including… Read More »
Legal 500 Bar Awards 2025
5RB has won the award for Media and the Arts Set of the Year in the The Legal 500 Awards 2025. Chambers was also shortlisted in the following categories: Technology, Data and Crypto Set of… Read More »
MI5 admit unlawfully accessing former BBC journalist’s communications data
In proceedings before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal on 15 September 2025, it was confirmed that MI5 has admitted twice unlawfully accessing the communications data of former senior BBC Northern Ireland journalist, Vincent Kearney, in breach… Read More »
New article on defamation law in Gibraltar
In a small jurisdiction with a tightly knit community like Gibraltar, where news travels fast and reputations matter, defamation law plays a critical role. With a vibrant mix of individuals and organisations—many of them high-profile—the… Read More »
5RB shortlisted at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2025
We are pleased to announce that 5RB has been shortlisted in the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2025 in the following categories. The awards ceremony will take place at Old Billingsgate on Thursday, 13 November. Media,… Read More »
Court of Appeal hands down judgment on open justice in PMC v Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board
The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in PMC v Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, determining several important jurisdictional questions concerning the principle of open justice. These include the Court’s determination that there… Read More »