Defamation/Reputation Management
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
About
Provided by Mishcon de Reya LLP
We advise and litigate on all aspects of media and communication law, for both claimants and defendants, including defamation, malicious falsehood, privacy, blackmail, harassment, reporting restrictions, and data protection breaches and compliance.
Never has it been truer that an honoured reputation can be ruined in moments. Shifting societal expectations and increased legal and regulatory obligations have made public scrutiny a reality, even for those who prefer to avoid the spotlight. In this digital era, almost anyone can achieve a global platform and audience, and the means to weaponise adverse content for their own agenda. Quick-fire opinions and misinformation are easy to spread – and difficult to contain.
We have been defending our clients' reputations for decades, both publicly and discreetly. We have wide expertise in tackling and preventing unwarranted attacks, including securing injunctions to prevent the misuse of private information and the spread of fake news, as well as challenging defamatory content and harassing behaviour, and defusing personal and corporate disputes.
We are fast to respond, but we are also keen to pre-empt challenges before they arise, and to ensure our clients' reputations are resilient to attack. We know that the best way to build and protect reputation is to be proactive, to anticipate future challenges and plan for them intelligently.
Chambers Review
Mishcon de Reya has a highly respected reputation management practice, underpinned by established private client and family practices. It acts increasingly for corporate entities on reputation management matters in addition to its traditional high net worth clientele. The firm offers specialist expertise in all aspects of defamation, privacy and harassment, from sensitive crisis situations to high-profile libel proceedings. The team possesses considerable experience in handling cross-jurisdictional disputes. The firm is experienced in dealing with social media risks and cyber brand protection.
Work Highlights
- Mishcon de Reya represented Azeem Rafiq, the Yorkshire cricket whistleblower, in various engagements with the media and his successful application for the Cricket Discipline Commission disciplinary hearing.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Mishcon are strategic and willing to go a few extra rounds to get a difficult issue from good to great. Their work ethic close to hard deadlines is heroic. There is great depth in their team."
"They are extremely, extremely good."
"I really recommend Mishcon; they are brilliant. I really enjoy working with them and they deliver high-quality work."
"It is clearly a hard-working team whose members are very clear as to benefits and risks."
"Mishcon are strategic and willing to go a few extra rounds to get a difficult issue from good to great. Their work ethic close to hard deadlines is heroic. There is great depth in their team."
"They are extremely, extremely good."
"I really recommend Mishcon; they are brilliant. I really enjoy working with them and they deliver high-quality work."
"It is clearly a hard-working team whose members are very clear as to benefits and risks."
Notable Practitioners
Emma Woollcott is head of the firm's reputation protection team. She is highly regarded in the market for her significant expertise in acting for an array of high-profile clients on defamation matters.
"Emma is fiercely intelligent and always looking to cut to the heart of the matter to get a good outcome for her client."
"She is decisive and runs a tight ship, while keeping a sense of humour that makes the whole process a lot more palatable."
Alexandra Whiston-Dew advises on crisis management and multi-jurisdictional disputes and has significant subject expertise in data protection and regional expertise in Africa and Russia.
"Alexandra has been a delight to work with in incredibly challenging circumstances. She is both a fierce advocate and a warm presence. She is heart and steel in equal measure."
"She is articulate and willing to dive into nuance without losing sight of the big picture. She is proactive in coming up with ideas."
Ranked Lawyers at
Mishcon de Reya LLP
UK-wide
Members
Provided by Mishcon de Reya LLP
Alexandra Whiston-Dew
Anthony Julius
Head of Department
Harry Eccles-Williams
Humam Al-Jibouri
Isabella Piasecka
James Libson
Leyla Linton
Michael Frost