Alex is a highly regarded barrister dealing with libel and slander, misuse of private information, breach of confidence and other publication-related causes of action. She has a busy practice advising both claimants and defendants in relation to libel and privacy issues, being led and acting without a leader.
In 2023 Alex was appointed a Deputy Master of the Kings Bench Division and sits regularly hearing a variety of case management and other matters in that Division.
Alex’s Defendant work includes:
- From 2009 to 2016, representing parties in the phone-hacking litigation: first, Glenn Mulcaire, a private investigator sued by a great number of claimants for voicemail interception and, from 2014 to 2016, Mirror Group Newspapers sued in respect of the same cause of action, including representing MGN as junior counsel at trial as to damages in March 2015.
- Defending Penguin Books in a claim brought in relation to a book about the Libor-rigging scandal (Koutsogiannis v Random House).
- From 2018 to 2020 Alex was part of the counsel team representing Associated Newspapers in the defence of a privacy and copyright claim brought against the Mail on Sunday by Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.
- For Defendant publishers, Alex successfully struck out claims in Piepenbrock v ANL (2020), Hayden v ANL (2020) and Vince v ANL (2024)
- Acting for the Financial Times sued by a international oil company ENRC; the claim was discontinued
- Acting for Laurence Fox in the trial of a libel claim in which he was both defendant and counterclaimant, concerning a Twitter exchange in 2020 (Blake and Ors. v Fox). The claim is going to appeal in 2025
- Currently acting for The Guardian in its defence of a libel claim brought by Noel Clarke based on a series of articles concerning “Me Too” allegations. The claim comes to trial in March 2025
At the same time, Alex works for claimants seeking to protect Article 8, libel, privacy and data rights in a wide variety of cases. Sample cases include:
- In 2016 to 2017, the first (to our knowledge) successful ‘revenge porn’ case brought by a female claimant in respect of the unauthorised posting online of private sexual films.
- In 2016, representing at trial a claimant who had been falsely accused, by his neighbour, of bestiality with a pig (judgment cited below at Barkhuysen v Hamilton).
- In 2017, acting for His Royal Highness Prince Louis in an application for reporting restrictions in the course of financial remedies proceedings.
- In 2019, acting as sole counsel for Mr Jan Serafin in his (successful) appeal to the Court of Appeal against the judgment at the trial of his libel case, on the unusual ground (amongst others) of judicial unfairness. The case went to the Supreme Court, where Alex was led by Adrienne Page KC of 5RB.
- Acting for Glenn Kline, former Chairman of the FA, in a claim for libel and harassment (2021). The claimant obtained default judgment
Some recent notable and reported cases:
- Gray v NGN Limited [2011] EWHC 349; [2011] 2 WLR 1401
- Phillips v NGN Limited [2012] UKSC 28; [2013] 1 AC 1 – acting for defendant relying on privilege against self-incrimination; case went to the Supreme Court)
- AAA v Associated Newspapers Limited [2012] EWHC 5137; [2013] EMLR 2 – privacy claim brought by the baby daughter of well-known Conservative politician to try to keep secret her father’s identity
- Trimingham v Associated Newspapers Limited [2012] EWHC 1296; [2012] 2 All ER 717 – acting for defendant newspaper in a privacy and harassment claim by the partner of former LibDem politician Chris Huhne in respect of articles in the Daily Mail
- Ontulmus v Collett [2014] EWHC 294 (security for costs); Ontulmus v Collett [2014] EWHC 4117 (costs judgment) – acting for defendant businessman sued for more than £100 million by Turkish entities
- Gulati and ors. v MGN Limited [2015] EWHC 1422; [2015] WLR (D) 233; [2016] FSR 12 – quantum of damages in “phone-hacking” cases
- Barkhuysen v Hamilton [2016] EWHC 2858 (main judgment); Barkhuysen v Hamilton EWHC 3371; [2016] 6 Costs LR 1217 (costs) – acting for claimant in a slander/false imprisonment/harassment case where the defendant had made a number of false allegations against her neighbour
- Webb v Lewis Silkin [2016] EWHC 1225 – acting for claimant suing over unlawful access to her private emails held on work server
- Candy v Holyoake [2017] EWHC 373 – acting for defendant sued over retention of films of claimant made at a private event
- Makin v NGN Ltd [2017] EWHC 1386 – acting for defendant in claim for injunction brought by executor of estate of Ian Brady; case concerns the breach of an undertaking by the defendant
- HRH Louis Xavier Marie Guillaume v HRH Tessy Princess Tessy [2017] EWHC 3095 – reporting restrictions in financial remedies proceedings
- Zarb-Cousin v Association of British Bookmakers [2018] EWHC 2240: meaning of a television broadcast
- Euroeco Fuels (Poland) Ltd v Szczecin and Swinoujscie Seaports Authority SA [2018] EWHC 1081: application of Article 20 of the Brussels Recast Regulation
- Koutsogiannis v The Random House Group [2019] EWCH 2240: meaning of a book
- Hayden v Associated Newspapers [2020] EWHC 540: striking out a defamation claim on the grounds the words were not defamatory
- Piepenbrock v Associated Newspapers [2020] EWHC 1708: setting aside ineffective service of a claim form
- Serafin v Malkiewicz [2019] EWCA Civ 852; and [2020] UKSC 23: judicial unfairness; section 4 public interest
- Glenn v Kline [2020] EWHC 3182: judgment in default of Acknowledgment of Service
- Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers [2020] EWHC 1058 (Ch); and [2020] EWHC 2160; and [2020] EWHC 3093: various procedural matters, including striking out allegations of dishonesty against the defendant; imposing confidentiality restrictions in relation to potential witnesses; and amendment of the defence
- Piepenbrock v ANL [2020] EWHC 1708; Piepenbrock v LSE [2022] EWHC 2421 (KB)
- Soriano v Forensic news LLC & ors. [2021] EWHC 873 (KB)
- Blake & ors. v Fox [2023] EWHC 3351 (KB)
- Adams v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2023] EWHC 1940 (KB)
- Vince v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2024]
Called
1990 Called to the Bar of England and Wales
Education
University of Warwick: LL.B. First Class Honours - 1984-1987
Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California at Berkeley - 1987-1988
Areas of work
Data Protection and Information Law
Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
General Common Law
Harassment
Injunctive Relief
Privacy and Confidence
Reporting the Courts and Contempt
Harassment
Testimonials
“An excellent, clever junior and a fantastic advocate.”
“She combines a deep feel for the law in this area with a pragmatic style”; “she’s brilliant: very down to earth, user-friendly and really commercial.”
‘She is approachable and tenacious.’
Languages
Conversational Polish.
Featured cases
AAA v Associated Newspapers Ltd (CA)
[2013] EWCA Civ 554 20/05/2013
Trimingham v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2012] EWHC 1296 (QB) 24/05/2012
Phillips v (1) News Group Newspapers Ltd (2) Glenn Mulcaire; Coogan v (1) News Group Newspapers Ltd (2) Glenn Mulcaire
[2012] EWCA Civ 48 01/02/2012
Sarah Lynette Webb v Lewis Silkin LLP
[2016] EWHC 1225 (Ch) 04/05/2016
All cases
Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
Soriano v Silverstein
[2021] EWHC 873 (QB) 13/04/2021
Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2021] EWHC 273 (Ch) 24/02/2021
Serafin v Malkiewicz
[2019] EWCA Civ 852 20/05/2019
Jose Antonio Serrano Garcia v Associated Newspapers Limited
[2014] EWHC 3137 (QB) 06/10/2014
Bowman v MGN Ltd
[2010] EWHC 895 (QB) 26/04/2010
Crossley & Crossley v Newsquest (Midlands South) Limited
[2008] EWHC 3054 (QB) 11/12/2008
Curistan v Times Newspapers Ltd (CA)
[2008] EWCA Civ 432; The Times, 6 May 2008 30/04/2008
Jeynes v News Magazines Limited & Anor
[2008] EWCA Civ 130 31/01/2008
McBride v Body Shop International plc
[2007] EWHC 1658 (QB) 10/07/2007
Turkot & Global GOLD Holding v Oxus Gold & Trew
[2006] EWHC 3361 (QB) 15/12/2006
Veliu v Mazrekaj
[2006] EWHC 1710 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 495 11/07/2006
Crossland v Wilkinson Hardware Stores Ltd
[2005] EWHC 481 (QB) 23/03/2005
Bataille v Newland & Ors
[2002] EWHC 1692 (QB) 31/07/2002
Aitken v Preston and Others
[1997] EMLR 415 15/05/1997
Privacy and Confidence
Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2021] EWHC 273 (Ch) 24/02/2021
Sarah Lynette Webb v Lewis Silkin LLP
[2016] EWHC 1225 (Ch) 04/05/2016
AAA v Associated Newspapers Ltd (CA)
[2013] EWCA Civ 554 20/05/2013
Trimingham v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2012] EWHC 1296 (QB) 24/05/2012
Goldsmith & Anor v BCD; Khan v BCD
[2011] EWHC 674 (QB) 22/03/2011
P & Others v Quigley
[2008] EWHC 1051 (QB) 16/05/2008
Harassment
Trimingham v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2012] EWHC 1296 (QB) 24/05/2012
Crossland v Wilkinson Hardware Stores Ltd
[2005] EWHC 481 (QB) 23/03/2005
Reporting the Courts and Contempt
HRH Prince Louis of Luxembourg v HRH Princess Tessy of Luxembourg & anor
[2017] EWHC 3095 (Fam) 05/12/2017
Injunctive Relief
Goldsmith & Anor v BCD; Khan v BCD
[2011] EWHC 674 (QB) 22/03/2011
P & Others v Quigley
[2008] EWHC 1051 (QB) 16/05/2008
Intellectual Property
Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2021] EWHC 273 (Ch) 24/02/2021
Phillips v (1) News Group Newspapers Ltd (2) Glenn Mulcaire; Coogan v (1) News Group Newspapers Ltd (2) Glenn Mulcaire
[2012] EWCA Civ 48 01/02/2012
General Common Law
Phillips v (1) News Group Newspapers Ltd (2) Glenn Mulcaire; Coogan v (1) News Group Newspapers Ltd (2) Glenn Mulcaire
[2012] EWCA Civ 48 01/02/2012
5RB Talks
5RB talks: 5RB Podcasts on Interim Injunctions
26 Apr 2018
With Desmond Browne CBE KC, Adam Speker KC & Alexandra Marzec
Publications
The Law of Privacy and the Media
Oxford University Press
By Alexandra Marzec. 17 Oct 2002
In 5RB News
25 Apr 2024
Judgment on remedies in Blake & Seymour v Fox
26 Oct 2023
Clarke v Guardian News & Media Ltd: Trial of Preliminary Issues
20 Oct 2023
5RB tops rankings in Chambers & Partners
5 Oct 2023
5RB named Tier 1 set in Defamation and privacy by The Legal 500
11 May 2023
Alexandra Marzec appointed Deputy Master
7 Oct 2022
5RB named top set by The Legal 500
Directory rankings also released
2 Dec 2021
Associated Newspapers’ appeal in claim by the Duchess of Sussex dismissed
Court of Appeal upholds summary judgment decision
9 Nov 2021
Court of Appeal to consider the Defendant’s appeal in Duchess of Sussex v Associated Newspapers
12 Feb 2021
The Duchess of Sussex wins her privacy and copyright claim
10 Dec 2020
Sir James & Lady Deirdre Dyson v Associated Newspapers
Statement in open court
20 Nov 2020
5RB Wins Defamation, Privacy & Data Protection Awards
28 Sep 2020
Chambers UK Bar Awards 2020
5RB Nominated for Defamation Set of the Year
6 Aug 2020
Court rules in favour of Duchess
Five friends’ names remain private
3 Jun 2020
Supreme Court dismisses appeal in Serafin
Court of Appeal upheld as to judicial unfairness – re-trial on all issues including s.4
1 May 2020
Judgment handed down in Duchess of Sussex’s case against Mail on Sunday
Court finds for Associated Newspapers in pre-trial application in privacy case brought by the Duchess of Sussex
18 Mar 2020
5RB members praised in Who’s Who Legal 2020
Five 5RB silks and 11 5RB juniors commended in Who's Who Legal Marketplace Analysis 2020
31 Jan 2020
Statement in Open Court for Licensing Officer
Claim by Wajed Iqbal concludes
14 Jan 2020
Sir James & Lady Dyson v Associated Newspapers: trial of meaning
High Court to hear argument in a Trial of Preliminary Issues of the meaning of news articles
18 Jun 2019
5RB at the London Legal Walk 2019
27 Jun 2018
Mail apologises to Earl Spencer
Statement in open court read after settlement of libel claim over false Diana allegation
2 Nov 2017
“The pre-eminent set”: Chambers UK
5RB and members recommended for Defamation & Privacy and Data Protection in 2018 Chambers UK Bar Guide
11 Oct 2017
5RB ‘dominates the field’ in Legal 500
Chambers and members recommended for Defamation & Privacy, Data Protection, and Media and Entertainment work in legal directory
25 May 2017
5RB at the London Legal Walk 2017
Over £2,500 raised for LLST, FRU and the Bar Pro Bono Unit
11 Nov 2016
Neighbours’ dispute leads to £32,080 award of damages
Claims in false imprisonment, slander and harassment succeed
19 May 2016
5RB at the London Legal Walk 2016
£2,157.19 raised for LLSU, FRU and the Bar Pro Bono Unit
11 May 2016
Privacy: Statements in open court
Same principles apply as in defamation cases
17 Sep 2015
Chambers UK Bar Awards 2015
5RB Nominated for Defamation Set of the Year
26 Aug 2015
Permission to appeal in MGN phone hacking case
Kitchin LJ grants permission on damages award
21 May 2015
Judgment in MGN phone-hacking case
Mann J awards 'very substantial' damages to Claimants
31 Oct 2014
5RB tops Chambers & Partners 2015
Set and 19 barristers recommended in UK Bar Guide
21 Jul 2014
Garcia v ANL trial begins in the High Court
Two-week libel claim being heard by Mr Justice Dingemans
22 Dec 2011
Mulcaire wins NGN indemnity claim
The private investigator at the heart of the phone hacking scandal wins High Court action to enforce costs agreement
28 Oct 2011
5RB tops Chambers and Partners 2012
Adam Wolanski wins Defamation and Privacy Junior Barrister of the Year
27 Sep 2011
‘Truly experts’
The Legal 500 review 2012
20 May 2011
Phone hacking test cases chosen
Five lead and five reserve lead cases to go forward
15 Apr 2011
Phone hacking ‘test’ cases to be tried
Vos J orders parties to identify 4 or 5 cases to go forward to determine common issues in News of the World claims
5 Nov 2010
5RB tops directory ranking
Chambers & Partners 2011 edition praises set
26 Apr 2010
Les Mis star wins libel compensation
But actor Simon Bowman ordered to pay majority of costs after rejecting settlement offers
4 Nov 2009
Cole settles privacy claim
Footballer’s claim over “kiss-and-tell” newspaper articles ends with settlement
24 Sep 2009
5RB’s juniors: the Legal 500 verdict
What the legal directory had to say about 5RB's junior barristers
23 Jul 2009
Tom Bower wins Desmond libel case
Jury verdict in favour of defendant author over comments about Express owner
7 Jul 2009
Richard Desmond libel trial stopped
Trial of claim against Conrad Black biographer to restart on Monday
2 Apr 2009
George wins 75K libel damages
Former Eastenders actor successful in claim against The Sun
24 Mar 2009
Eastenders actor’s libel trial begins
The Sun defends girlfriend abuse allegations
1 Feb 2008
Big Brother’s Lisa loses libel appeal
Court of Appeal dismisses appeal on 'transsexual' meaning
8 Nov 2007
5RB tops Chambers & Partners review
20 Barristers rated and recommended in the new annual survey
20 Sep 2007
5RB tops Legal 500
20 Barristers rated and recommended in Defamation, Privacy, Intellectual Property, Sport and Media & Entertainment Law
24 Oct 2006
5RB tops Chambers & Partners review
Nineteen barristers recommended in Annual Survey
27 Sep 2006
5RB tops Legal 500 survey
Twenty barristers recommended across core practice areas
24 Oct 2005
Chambers’ Review: 5RB top again
20 barristers recommended for Media, Entertainment, Defamation, Privacy, Intellectual Property & Sports Law
17 Oct 2005
Jockey Club sees off challenge
Appeal Board is not amenable to Judicial Review
21 Sep 2005
5RB tops annual Legal 500 Review
17 barristers named as leaders in their field
5 Nov 2004
5RB top in Chambers & Partners Review
Seventeen 5RB members ranked
4 Oct 2004
Martin O’Neill wins libel damages from the BBC
Book allegations withdrawn
24 Sep 2004
5RB top in Legal 500 Review
15 barristers named as leaders in their field
Contact
Email: clerks@5rb.com
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