Rupert Cowper-Coles
UK Guide 2025
Band 4 : Defamation/Reputation Management
Band 4
About
Provided by Rupert Cowper-Coles
Practice Areas
Partner Rupert Cowper-Coles is an experienced litigator specialising in media and data disputes. Rupert defends a wide range of publishers and data controllers, including media organisations, online platforms, broadcasters, NGOs, book publishers, freelance journalists and charities.
He is an expert in defamation, data protection and privacy law as well as other media and information rights, including malicious falsehood, harassment and freedom of information.
He is well-versed in advising clients both pre and post publication and, where disputes cannot be resolved consensually, representing their interests before regulators and the courts.
Rupert has experience in litigating complex and developing areas of law, including interim non-disclosure injunctions, foreign jurisdiction issues, intermediary and website host liability, and the exercise of GDPR data rights.
Career
Trained at Withers LLP from 2009, qualified 2011; solicitor at Withers LLP 2011 – 2016; joined RPC as an associate solicitor in 2016; promoted to senior associate in 2018 and partner in 2021.
Professional Memberships
London Solicitors Litigation Association.
Publications
Rupert writes regularly about media law issues and is published in The Lawyer and The Law Society Gazette.
Work Highlights
Strike-out of harassment proceedings brought by a cosmetic surgery clinic Signature Medical Limited against a patient over comments on a recovery support group.
Acting in the Court of Appeal in dismissal of an appeal over a £1 nominal damages award in favour of a claimant whose defamation claims were found to have been supported by false evidence.
Open justice intervention on behalf of Bloomberg News to lift reporting restrictions allowing reporting of acrimonious Court of Protection proceedings between members of Britain's wealthiest family.
Chambers Review
UK
Rupert Cowper-Coles is noted for his experience advising media outlets on a range of matters relating to defamation, privacy and data protection. He represents traditional media clients such as national newspapers as well as digital media platforms. He is also praised for his recent involvement in SLAPP cases.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Rupert is very authoritative; you know you are in very good hands and his knowledge of defamation law is flawless."
"He epitomises RPC's determination to allow publishers as much freedom as possible. He sees his way through tricky situations and gives advice early on that ensures that a client's position is robust."
"Rupert is a very bright defendant lawyer and a rising star at RPC."
"We like Rupert enormously. He has expertise that is absolutely up to date, is very thorough and gets to the bottom of things."
"Rupert is able to cut through the noise and deliver clarity and confidence. He is a calming force."
"Rupert is very authoritative; you know you are in very good hands and his knowledge of defamation law is flawless."
"He epitomises RPC's determination to allow publishers as much freedom as possible. He sees his way through tricky situations and gives advice early on that ensures that a client's position is robust."
"Rupert is a very bright defendant lawyer and a rising star at RPC."
"We like Rupert enormously. He has expertise that is absolutely up to date, is very thorough and gets to the bottom of things."
"Rupert is able to cut through the noise and deliver clarity and confidence. He is a calming force."
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