Reputation Management & Defamation Law

We understand traditional media interest remains a significant concern for our clients. We have extensive experience in advising clients on media enquiries they receive before publication, in order to prevent the publication of a story or mitigate the potential damage it may cause.

If a when a story is published, we are well versed in determining the appropriate action, whether that is litigation or understanding that the matter is best resolved instead by a public relations response.

We help individuals and their families with all manner of legal considerations relating to their privacy and security. These include advising high profile clients on unwanted paparazzi attention, assisting our clients with the wrongful disclosure of private information online, and working with clients to protect their privacy around major events in their personal or professional lives.

We offer bespoke reputation management advice to a diverse range of organisations ranging from private businesses to multi-national corporates. We assist them in the preparation and response to the full spectrum of issues affecting their reputations.

These include:

• advising companies on a full range of reputational issues from adverse media coverage arising from newspaper sting operations to appearances before Parliamentary Select Committees
• assisting institutional clients, such as charities, schools and sports governing bodies, on a diverse selection of crises, including reputation risk arising from safeguarding issues and allegations made in public concerning the conduct of the organisation.

We frequently advise clients on the removal of damaging content from websites, search engines, review websites and due diligence databases which includes the use of the ‘right to be forgotten’. Our network includes intelligence firms able to conduct detailed technical reviews of clients' online profiles and identify areas of risk to enable appropriate legal action.

One of the most challenging areas for clients is harassment by persistent and obsessive individuals. This can involve an ex-spouse or partner threatening to expose sensitive private information or irrational actions by an individual determined to cause maximum reputational damage to an organisation.

Our expertise of the laws relating to defamation, privacy, harassment and blackmail ensures that we are able to help clients with highly stressful situations. Often, such matters involve representing our clients in court in relation to litigation. We act quickly for our clients, exploring all possible avenues to reach a swift and satisfactory outcome.

Our defamation lawyers frequently advise clients on these issues and understand the need to balance a desire to respond quickly and to avoid any actions that may prove counterproductive.

• Libel - Libel relates to a defamatory statement that is published in a ‘permanent format’. This would include written material (published in hard copy or online) and also content broadcast on TV, radio or online,
• Slander - Slander relates to a defamatory statement delivered in a less permanent format – this could include spoken words or even physical actions or gestures, and
• Malicious falsehood - The claim of malicious falsehood exists under the law to protect individuals and businesses against statements which are not categorised as defamatory but are nonetheless untrue and may cause damage.