Defamation/Reputation Management
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 3206 2700About
Provided by Simons Muirhead Burton
Simons Muirhead Burton has one of the largest media disputes and reputation management teams in London and is one of the few firms equally adept at handling matters for defendants as well as claimants.
The firm supports newspapers, broadcasters, publishers, journalists and NGOs, as well as individuals. The team is retained by many major newspapers including The Sun, The Mirror, The Times, and Sunday Times for defamation, privacy, data claims and contempt issues.
The team has been at the forefront of leading media cases over the last 10 years. It is well known for representing clients who face difficult claims brought by the state, including police forces, or who face criminal sanctions arising from media law related issues. It also advises in relation to political cases, or those involving high profile individuals from the worlds of sport or film.
Team members are experienced at dealing with online and social media content of all descriptions, including identifying anonymous posters and securing the removal of unlawful material, often involving multiple jurisdictions.
The team, led by Jeffrey Smele, advise on newsgathering and other pre-publication/broadcast issues, often against pressure of deadline, and prepare for injunctions with minimal notice. Having highly experienced team members at all levels, the firm conducts litigation efficiently and cost effectively at every stage, including representing clients before the appellate courts in the UK and internationally.
Chambers Review
Simons Muirhead Burton has an accomplished defamation practice, acting for a mix of defendant and claimant clients on libel, privacy and data protection matters. It houses a team of accomplished litigators and strategists supported by highly talented associates. The firm maintains a fine reputation for its work on behalf of major broadcasters, newspapers and other publishing clients. The team also advises NGOs, journalist bodies and trade unions in the UK and USA.
Work Highlights
- Simons Muirhead Burton defended MGN, as publisher of The Mirror, against a libel claim brought by Lady Colin Campbell.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They have always done a great job for us. They are extremely professional; they cover the best media work and provide targeted advice."
"They provide advice on complicated matters in a really clear and concise way, which is truly an art! All team members are incredibly responsive and always offer straightforward advice."
"The firm really understands how to work within a budget. They are very good at understanding commercial needs and providing rapid advice."
"SMB has handled some incredibly complicated projects for us and they have always done so with discretion and authority. They have worked to very tight deadlines."
"They are a knowledgeable and formidable team. They are available at short notice and get results."
"They have always done a great job for us. They are extremely professional; they cover the best media work and provide targeted advice."
"They provide advice on complicated matters in a really clear and concise way, which is truly an art! All team members are incredibly responsive and always offer straightforward advice."
"The firm really understands how to work within a budget. They are very good at understanding commercial needs and providing rapid advice."
"SMB has handled some incredibly complicated projects for us and they have always done so with discretion and authority. They have worked to very tight deadlines."
"They are a knowledgeable and formidable team. They are available at short notice and get results."
Notable Practitioners
Louis Charalambous is frequently instructed by a range of newspapers and broadcasters as well as journalists to advise on significant and often high-profile libel and privacy claims.
Razi Mireskandari serves as managing partner of Simons Muirhead Burton. He is celebrated in the market for his considerable experience acting for major news outlets as well as individuals in defamation matters.
Jeffrey Smele leads the media and communications disputes team at Simons Muirhead Burton. He advises newspapers, media outlets and high-profile individuals on a range of defamation and privacy matters. These range over handling injunctions, breach of confidence and libel claims, as well as pre-publication advice.
"Jeff is pragmatic, commercial and incredibly knowledgeable. He is a pleasure to work with!"
"Jeff is a great thinker, quietly defending free speech in a way that is really effective. He is the go-to guy for a lot of the biggest media cases."
"Jeffrey is very good to work with."
"Jeffrey is a very smart guy and a good lawyer."
Martin Soames acts as a respected adviser to many of the major book publishing houses. He provides pre- and post-publication advice, as well as handling litigation.
"Martin is a hugely skilled lawyer. He has worked on a number of incredibly complicated high-risk projects for us and has always delivered impeccable advice within the required timeframe."
Steven Heffer has extensive experience advising businesses and high-profile individuals on critical reputation management and privacy matters.
Emma Linch is a defamation and media litigator with experience in libel, data protection and privacy cases and has worked on behalf of market-leading legacy and social media organisations. She has been instructed by such clients on some of the most followed matters of recent years.
"Emma is a great partner at SMB."
Ranked Lawyers at
Simons Muirhead Burton
UK-wide
Members
Provided by Simons Muirhead Burton
Dina Shiloh
Emma Linch
Gordon Clough
Head of Department
Head of Department
Stephen Shotnes