Ranking tables
Defamation/Reputation Management | UK
UK-wide
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
Band 2
Band 3
Band 4
Senior Statespeople
Caroline Kean Wiggin LLP27 Years Ranked
Louis Charalambous Simons Muirhead Burton24 Years Ranked- Keith SchillingSchillings
Eminent Practitioners
Star Individuals
Band 1
Dan Tench CMS22 Years Ranked- David Engel Addleshaw Goddard LLP18 Years Ranked
Dominic Crossley Payne Hicks Beach LLP15 Years Ranked
Gideon Benaim Simkins LLP19 Years Ranked
Jo Sanders Withers LLP17 Years Ranked
John Kelly Harbottle & Lewis LLP18 Years Ranked
Mike Brookes Lee & Thompson LLP24 Years Ranked- Niri Shanmuganathan Taylor Wessing LLP20 Years Ranked
Tamsin Allen Bindmans LLP21 Years Ranked- David Price KCDavid Price Solicitors & Advocates
- Jenny AfiaSchillings
Band 2
Adam Tudor Carter-Ruck17 Years Ranked
Ashley Hurst Osborne Clarke LLP16 Years Ranked
Hanna Basha Payne Hicks Beach LLP20 Years Ranked
Iain Wilson Brett Wilson LLP10 Years Ranked
Mark Stephens Howard Kennedy LLP24 Years Ranked- Mark Thomson Thomson Heath Jenkins & Associates23 Years Ranked
Tony Jaffa Jaffa Law27 Years Ranked- Rachel AtkinsSchillings
Band 3
Charlotte Harris Brown Rudnick LLP14 Years Ranked
Claire Gill Carter-Ruck16 Years Ranked
Jeffrey Smele Simons Muirhead Burton6 Years Ranked
Jeremy Clarke-Williams Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP19 Years Ranked
Julian Pike Farrer & Co LLP22 Years Ranked
Rebecca Toman Carter-Ruck8 Years Ranked- Roddy Chisholm Batten Clintons10 Years Ranked
- Christopher HutchingsHamlins LLP
- Susan AslanACK Media Law LLP
Band 4
Alex Keenlyside Bristows LLP10 Years Ranked- Duncan Lamont Charles Russell Speechlys23 Years Ranked
- Emma Woollcott Mishcon de Reya LLP8 Years Ranked
- James Heath Thomson Heath Jenkins & Associates9 Years Ranked
Martin Soames Simons Muirhead Burton20 Years Ranked
Persephone Bridgman Baker Carter-Ruck6 Years Ranked
Robin Shaw Wiggin LLP18 Years Ranked- Rupert Cowper-Coles RPC7 Years Ranked
- Mark BatemanArcherfield Partners LLP
- Sue CharlesACK Media Law LLP
Band 5
- Adele Ashton Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP6 Years Ranked
Alasdair Pepper Carter-Ruck27 Years Ranked- Alex Wilson RPC4 Years Ranked
- David Barker Pinsent Masons15 Years Ranked
Gerard Cukier Keystone Law13 Years Ranked
Graham Atkins Atkins Dellow LLP18 Years Ranked- Graham Shear Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP20 Years Ranked
Helen Morris Kingsley Napley LLP1 Years Ranked
Leo Dawkins Lee & Thompson LLP7 Years Ranked
Rupert Earle Bates Wells23 Years Ranked
Steven Heffer Simons Muirhead Burton15 Years Ranked- Jonathan CoadCoad Law
- Mark ManleyManleys
Band 6
- Adam Glass Lewis Silkin6 Years Ranked
Andrew Willan Payne Hicks Beach LLP2 Years Ranked- Antonia Foster Carter-Ruck4 Years Ranked
Elizabeth Morley Howard Kennedy LLP1 Years Ranked
Jon Oakley Simkins LLP6 Years Ranked- Matthew Dando Wiggin LLP1 Years Ranked
Max Campbell Brett Wilson LLP7 Years Ranked
Michael Skrein Reed Smith LLP25 Years Ranked- Michael Yates Taylor Wessing LLP6 Years Ranked
Paul Tweed WP Tweed & Co27 Years Ranked
Rory Lynch Gateley Legal1 Years Ranked
Tamsin Blow CMS7 Years Ranked
Thomas Rudkin Farrer & Co LLP2 Years Ranked- Tim Lowles Level1 Years Ranked
Tom Double Brett Wilson LLP5 Years Ranked
Tom Iverson Simkins LLP8 Years Ranked- Alexander CochraneEdwards Duthie Shamash Solicitors
- Callum GalbraithHamlins LLP
- Daniel TaylorTaylor Hampton Solicitors
- Rod Christie-MillerSchillings
- Tim SmithDWF
Up and Coming
Star Associates
Adelaide Lopez Wiggin LLP1 Years Ranked
Louise Prince Harbottle & Lewis LLP9 Years Ranked- Helena ShipmanKobre & Kim
Associates to watch
Athalie Matthews Farrer & Co LLP2 Years Ranked
Caroline Thompson Withers LLP1 Years Ranked- Elisabeth Mason Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP1 Years Ranked
Elizabeth Wiggin Wiggin LLP1 Years Ranked
Jessica Welch Simkins LLP1 Years Ranked
Mathilde Groppo Carter-Ruck2 Years Ranked- Moritz Schirmeister Thomson Heath Jenkins & Associates1 Years Ranked
Nadia Tymkiw RPC1 Years Ranked
Nick Grant Payne Hicks Beach LLP1 Years Ranked
Victoria Baron Bristows LLP1 Years Ranked
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Carter-RuckDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years RankedCarter-Ruck has an eminent reputation management practice with a record of excellence in high-profile privacy and defamation actions. It assists such individuals as heads of state, businesspeople and celebrities with the full range of reputational matters, with particular skill in obtaining privacy injunctions. The firm offers advice pre and post-publication to corporations and media organisations. The team is particularly experienced in cases concerning the misuse of private information and matters relating to breaches of the Data Protection Act 1998.
1 Harbottle & Lewis LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years RankedHarbottle & Lewis has a superb defamation and privacy practice that is highly respected for its representation of claimants in libel actions against newspaper groups and media organisations. It has an enviable list of clients, including a number of A-listers and members of the royal family. The team is frequently successful in handling complaints before regulatory bodies and regularly involved in cases concerning breach of confidence, data protection and information law.
1 RPCDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years RankedRPC's market-leading defendant practice offers expertise in all aspects of defamation defence from pre-trial to appeal. It acts for a host of national newspapers, broadcasters, online and print publishers, and media liability insurers. The firm is adept at advising clients on matters relating to malicious falsehood, contempt, harassment, data protection, Freedom of Information Act and copyright disputes. The team provides round-the-clock assistance, including pre-publication and injunction advisory services.
1 Simons Muirhead BurtonDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years RankedSimons 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.
1 Wiggin LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years RankedWiggin's dynamic defendant practice is regularly instructed by magazines, newspapers and other media organisations on defamation and privacy matters. The firm is particularly noted for its expert pre-publication work and frequently sought after for its online-specific advice. The team offers industry-specific expertise in the film sector, advising a variety of film studios on reputational concerns. The firm additionally offers extensive expertise in defending interim injunction applications.
Band 2
2 Brett Wilson LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 2 | 7 Years RankedBrett Wilson's defamation and privacy practice is particularly adept at and well known for handling matters concerning online publication. The firm acts for both claimants and defendants, including individuals, institutions and corporates.
2 Mishcon de Reya LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 2 | 17 Years RankedMishcon 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.
2 Payne Hicks Beach LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 2 | 11 Years RankedPayne Hicks Beach has an active reputation management department with recent involvement in a number of high-profile defamations, privacy and breach of confidence disputes. The team works closely with the firm's family and private client departments to provide a comprehensive service to high net worth individuals, corporate clients and public figures. The lawyers maintain noteworthy strengths in handling phone hacking, harassment and Data Protection Act issues for claimants.
2 Simkins LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 2 | 12 Years RankedSimkins has a flourishing reputation management practice with a range of media and entertainment stars, celebrities, other individuals and businesses among its clientele. It advises on sensitive libel matters, crisis management and responses to defamatory postings on social media and online platforms. The firm utilises additional knowledge of privacy, confidence, anti-harassment, data protection and copyright law to safeguard its clients' reputations. The team is particularly active in the pre-publication and pre-broadcast spaces.
2 Taylor Wessing LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 2 | 17 Years RankedTaylor Wessing has a respected media law department with a strong practice providing reputation management advice, particularly in relation to digital content delivery, social media and user-generated content. The firm represents high net worth individuals, well-known brands and corporations on the claimant side, and high-profile international publishers and broadcasters on the defendant side.
2 Thomson Heath Jenkins & AssociatesDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 2 | 15 Years RankedThomson Heath Jenkins & Associates' strong privacy and reputation management department is celebrated not least for its involvement in the development of phone hacking claims. The firm advises on defamation matters and brings libel and data protection actions on behalf of celebrities, public figures and high net worth individuals. The team offers additional experience advising on misuse of private information and breach of confidence claims.
Band 3
3 Bindmans LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 3 | 17 Years RankedBindmans' well-regarded claimant practice manages reputational issues for journalists, politicians, NGOs and vulnerable people, among others. The firm is also celebrated for its defence work, acting for individuals and publishers. It draws on its expertise in media, crime, employment, immigration, family and police actions to advise clients on all aspects of a reputational crisis. The team is adept at advising on privacy, information and data protection matters.
3 CMSDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 3 | 9 Years RankedCMS's impressive defamation and privacy department draws praise for its corporate reputation management capabilities and defendant work. The firm acts for an array of corporate clients, technology companies and media entities. The team possesses particular expertise in relation to reputation management and defamation issues stemming from online articles and social media content. It is a full-service international firm proficient in crisis management.
3 Farrer & Co LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 3 | 17 Years RankedFarrer & Co is a highly regarded firm focused on claimant work, advising high-profile individuals, schools and corporations on reputational matters including libel, injunctions, reporting restrictions, data protection and contempt of court. It also offers expertise in internet and social media issues such as harassment and online attacks. The firm supplements a strong claimant practice with a defendant service, acting for significant publications.
3 Lee & Thompson LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 3 | 17 Years RankedLee & Thompson is an impressive media and entertainment boutique firm with significant dispute resolution capabilities, housing a number of dedicated litigators. The firm maintains a strong presence in phone hacking, defamation and privacy litigation and handles reputation management issues for a number of successful recording artists and celebrities. It also offers pre-publication clearance services to film and TV clients.
3 Withers LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 3 | 13 Years RankedWithers has a strong libel and privacy offering, advising a range of clients on media law issues, sensitive reputational matters and crisis management. The firm acts for charities, high net worth individuals and corporate clients on domestic and international disputes. It offers an established focus on claimant work and increasingly advises defendant individuals in relation to the publishing of online content.
Band 4
4 Addleshaw Goddard LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 4 | 17 Years RankedAddleshaw Goddard represents claimants in high-profile defamation and press intrusion disputes. It makes use of its international network to advise global businesses on reputation management issues, including social media and data protection matters. Recent areas of activity include 'right to be forgotten' cases and freedom of information requests. Clients include corporations and high net worth individuals.4 Kingsley Napley LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 4 | 10 Years RankedKingsley Napley is a dynamic defamation and privacy practice complemented by a strong crime department. The team assists a diverse roster of clients with reputational issues, including media organisations, corporates, celebrities, politicians and private individuals. The firm is experienced at handling both claimant and defendant work, with growing expertise in internet libel matters related to social media. The team increasingly advises on media issues relating to court reporting and arrests.
4 Osborne Clarke LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 4 | 6 Years RankedOsborne Clarke's growing practice represents an array of leading organisations and individuals in complex and often high-profile reputational matters. It offers particular expertise in defamation, privacy and data protection issues. The firm is also experienced in providing pre- and post-publication advice.
4 Penningtons Manches Cooper LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 4 | 8 Years RankedPenningtons Manches Cooper's defamation practice is well known for its representation of the Police Federation as well as trade unions. It has a significant privacy practice focused on the misuse of private information and data protection breaches. The firm also frequently acts for high-profile and private individuals, concerning both pre- and post-publication matters.
4 RussellsDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years RankedRussells is a leading firm in the media and entertainment sector and has substantial experience advising celebrities on defamation and reputation matters. The team is particularly renowned for its work in the music and sports industries.
Band 5
5 Charles Russell SpeechlysDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 5 | 14 Years RankedCharles Russell Speechlys draws on its strength across disciplines to offer large media corporations, together with individuals, comprehensive and crucial advice in high-pressure scenarios. They have garnered recognition through their involvement in the phone hacking scandal. However their capabilities in defamation and reputation management go beyond this.
5 ClintonsDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 5 | 9 Years RankedClintons is a respected media boutique firm with a robust phone hacking practice and a venerable record in high-profile privacy cases. The firm particularly excels in harassment and misuse of private information cases. The team represents a fine choice of firm for celebrities, musicians, and other media and entertainment personalities.
5 Howard Kennedy LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 5 | 10 Years RankedHoward Kennedy has a defamation and reputation management practice of long standing, acting for a diverse client base of high net worth individuals and companies. It is highly regarded for its work in online media, acting in cases concerning articles published on the internet and comments on social media. The team is also expert on matters concerning blackmail, data privacy and freedom of speech.
5 LevelDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years RankedLevel represented former President and Republican Party presidential candidate, Donald Trump, in High Court proceedings in respect of alleged breaches of data protection legislation by Orbis Business Intelligence Limited arising from the defendant’s publication of the Steele Dossier.
5 Lewis SilkinDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 5 | 11 Years RankedLewis Silkin is well known for its privacy and reputation management practice, which dovetails with the firm's noted media and data protection expertise. The team has an impressive client following in entertainment, sport and online media.
5 Michelmores LLPDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years RankedMichelmores is becoming a recognised name in the defamation and reputation management arena, drawing on expertise from its private wealth practice, together with strong representation of corporates. Its lawyers are experienced in matters involving malicious falsehood, defamation, reputation management and more.
5 Pinsent MasonsDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 5 | 7 Years RankedPinsent Masons has a notable presence on account of its work on defamation, misuse of private information, 'right to be forgotten' and data protection matters on behalf of major technology companies. The firm also acts for leading multinational corporations, broadcasters and educational institutions.5 Taylor Hampton SolicitorsDefamation/Reputation Management2025 | Band 5 | 7 Years RankedTaylor Hampton Solicitors represented Caprice Bourret in her claim against News Group Newspapers for the misuse of her private information through voicemail interception, blagging and other unlawful information gathering methods.