Defamation/Reputation Management
UK Guide 2025 : Northern Ireland
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(028) 9024 4951About
Provided by Carson McDowell
Carson McDowell’s Media, Communications and Reputation team is recognised as Northern Ireland’s leading Media Litigation practice, with an unrivalled track record of defending publishers, websites, broadcasters and journalists.
Retained by numerous local, regional, London and Dublin based news publishers operating in Northern Ireland, and a significant number of US-headquartered social media platforms, the team handles the full spectrum of media and content disputes.
Recent defendant work includes acting for Mediahuis UK to successfully resist an emergency injunction application in Matthews v Mediahuis UK, acting for The Daily Telegraph, The Sun and The Daily Mail in Sterritt v Telegraph Media Group & Ors, and acting for a number of US social media platforms in a variety of Northern Irish criminal and civil proceedings.
Whilst selective in its claimant work, the team has also recently secured a public apology, damages and costs from a national union on behalf of a prominent CEO, and public apologies, damages and costs from a number of individuals on behalf of a large UK construction and property company.
Multi-disciplinary Chambers Band 1 ranked Partner Declan Magee, and Defamation and Reputation Management Star Associate, Fergal McGoldrick, are the key team contacts.
Chambers Review
Carson McDowell has a superb defamation practice focused on media defence. The firm acts for a number of leading Northern Ireland publications, as well as broadcasters, social media providers, high net worth individuals and politicians. It also provides comprehensive brand management advisory and pre-publication services, and is noted for its work challenging reporting restrictions and anonymity orders.
Work Highlights
- Carson McDowell provided pre-broadcast advice to Green Inc Film & Television and Rare TV Ireland for their co-production of 'The Crime I Can't Forget' on BBC NI.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Carson McDowell are really well respected in Northern Ireland, with an excellent understanding of local issues and nuances."
"The team are always available and always able to provide clear and decisive advice when required."
"They have specialised knowledge in the field of television programmes, which is rare. Their wisdom and advice are always very clear."
"Carson McDowell are really well respected in Northern Ireland, with an excellent understanding of local issues and nuances."
"The team are always available and always able to provide clear and decisive advice when required."
"They have specialised knowledge in the field of television programmes, which is rare. Their wisdom and advice are always very clear."
Notable Practitioners
Fergal McGoldrick is well regarded for his considerable expertise in advising clients in the media industry on a wide range of matters relating to libel, privacy and data protection. He acts for local and national media companies.
"Fergal is a superb technical lawyer who combines this expertise with huge practical experience on matters relevant to news publishers."
"Fergal provides a first-class service."
"Fergal is a great support to us. He is responsible, smart and a very nice lawyer."
Hannah Stewart advises on heavyweight defamation, privacy and reputation management mandates on behalf of leading media organisations, social media platforms, corporations and private individuals. She is already noted for her advice on pre-broadcast clearance.
"A most impressive lawyer with a very clear sense of purpose and vision. Her client service is exemplary."
"Hannah is an excellent lawyer who is able to react promptly and decisively when urgent matters arise."
"Hannah is very good. She works very hard, is very professional and courteous."
Ranked Lawyers at
Carson McDowell
Northern Ireland
Clients
Provided by Carson McDowell
Alpha Group
Associated Newspapers
BBC NI
Bauer Media Group
Below the Radar
Facebook (Ireland) Ltd
Facebook Inc
Fine Point Films
Firmus Energy
HBO
INM Plc
Independent News and Media (NI)
Irish News
News Corporation UK and Ireland
RTE
Ronin Films
Sunday Newspapers Limited trading as Sunday World
The Detail.tv
Twitter International Company
Twitter, Inc
Wordpress.com
Industries
Provided by Carson McDowell
Advertising
Authors
Bloggers
Broadcast
Communications
Corporates
Documentary
Entertainment
Film
Filming
Internet Giants
Media
Newspaper
Programming
Radio
Script writers
TV
Technology
Telecommunications
Theatre
Websites
Websites