Jonathan acts across 5RB’s specialist areas of defamation, privacy, confidence, data protection, media and information law. His work regularly involves urgent injunction issues extending to harassment, blackmail, the Internet and other forms of electronic media and communication. Jonathan co-wrote two chapters for Blackstone’s Guide to The Defamation Act 2013 and was the author of the chapter on data protection in The Law of Privacy and the Media, OUP, 3rd edition, 2016.
Jonathan was trial counsel in Economou v de Freitas – the first full trial of the public interest publication defence under section 4 of the Defamation Act 2013; and since taking silk for the successful broadcaster defendant in the libel case of Junejo v New Vision TV Ltd. He led for the claimants in the Supreme Court WM Morrison Payroll Information Group Litigation concerning an employer’s vicarious liability in the context of a payroll data leak. He also acted for the claimants in NT1 & NT2 v Google LLC – leading to the first “right to be forgotten” de-listing order made against Google in the UK.
In addition to his litigation practice Jonathan advises stakeholders, regulators and others concerned with regulation in the media, information, communications and professional disciplinary sectors. He also has broader experience in commercial litigation and arbitration. Before being called to the bar he qualified as a solicitor with Richards Butler where he then practised in insurance, professional negligence, shipping and other commercial disputes and undertook a secondment to the BBC. He is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb).
As well as Jonathan’s court work he has represented clients at the Broadcasting Standards Commission (now OFCOM), the Office of Fair Trading, the Employment Tribunals, in FA arbitration proceedings and in London Metal Exchange arbitration proceedings.
Called
1999 Called to the Bar of England and Wales
2021 Silk
2020 Year of recorder
Education
University College, Oxford, BA(Hons), Jurisprudence
Qualifications
Recorder, Crown Court - 2020 to date
MCIArb - Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators - 2014 to date
Deputy District Judge, Civil and Family - 2010 to 2023
Solicitor - 1993 to 1999
Areas of work
Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
Privacy and Confidence
Data Protection and Information Law
Intellectual Property
Harassment
Blackmail
Injunctive Relief
Reporting the Courts and Contempt
Pre-publication Advice
Testimonials
Leading/ranked in Who’s Who Legal/Lexology, Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners:
“He is an exceptional advocate.”
Chambers & Partners, 2025
“Jonathan Barnes provides quick, accessible and no-nonsense advice.”
Chambers & Partners, 2023
‘Jonathan has very strong advocacy and strategic skills. He is frank in his assessments, always from a place of what is best for the client.’
Legal 500, 2022
“His knowledge of defamation is encyclopedic; he really rolls his sleeves up and clients really love him.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
‘Gets to the heart of a matter very quickly and what is necessary to present the best case. Excellent before a judge.’
Legal 500, 2021
Memberships
Lincoln's Inn, Advocacy Lead Tutor
Advocate (formerly Bar Pro Bono Unit) - panel counsel and case reviewer
Barristers' Fitness to Practice and Disciplinary Tribunals & Visitors to the Inns of Court (2007 - 2012)
Featured cases
WM Morrison Supermarkets plc (Appellant) v Various Claimants (Respondents)
[2020] UKSC 12 01/04/2020
UUU v BBB
[2019] EWHC 3190 (QB) 28/11/2019
(1) NT1 & (2) NT2 v Google LLC
[2018] EWHC 799 (QB; [2018] EMLR 18; [2018] HRLR 13 13/04/2018
Alexander Economou v David de Freitas
[2016] EWHC 1853 (QB); [2017] EMLR 4 27/07/2016
All cases
Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
Farhan Junejo v New Vision TV Limited
[2021] EWHC 2366 (QB) 24/08/2021
(1) Greensill Capital (UK) Limited (2) Alexander Greensill v Reuters News And Media Limited
[2020] EWHC 1325 (QB) 06/04/2021
Alexander Economou v David de Freitas
[2016] EWHC 1853 (QB); [2017] EMLR 4 27/07/2016
Alvaro Sobrinho v Impresa Publishing SA
[2016] EWHC 66 (QB); [2016] EMLR 12 22/01/2016
Mir Shakil-Ur-Rahman v ARY Network Limited & Fayaz Ghafoor
[2015] EWHC 2917 (QB) 27/11/2015
Rufus v Elliott (preliminary issue)
[2015] EWHC 807 (QB) 24/03/2015
Rufus v Elliott (CA)
[2015] EWCA Civ 121; [2015] EMLR 17 20/02/2015
Fox v Boulter (disclosure)
[2013] EWHC 4012 (QB) 18/12/2013
Rufus v Elliott
[2013] EWHC 3355 (QB) 01/11/2013
Fox v Boulter
[2013] EWHC 1435 (QB) 05/06/2013
Al Amoudi v Kifle
[2013] EWHC 293 (QB) 13/02/2013
Andrew James Enforcement Ltd v ITV PLC
[2012] EWHC 3503 (QB); LTL AC9301179 30/11/2012
Mengi v Hermitage (No 2)
[2012] EWHC 3445 (QB) 30/11/2012
Mengi v Hermitage (security for costs appeal)
[2012] EWHC 2045 (QB); [2012] 5 Costs LO 641 20/07/2012
Cooper v Turrell
[2011] EWHC 3269 (QB) 12/12/2011
Al-Amoudi v Kifle
[2011] EWHC 2037 (QB) 29/07/2011
McLaughlin & Ors v Newall
[2009] EWHC 1925 (QB) 31/07/2009
Briscoe Mitchell v Hodder & Stoughton Ltd & Anr, Associated Newspapers Limited (non-party)
[2008] EWHC 2852 (QB) 21/11/2008
Club La Costa (UK) PLC v (1) Toby Gebhard (2) Inventory Solutions (UK) Limited
[2008] EWHC 2552 (QB); [2008] WLR (D) 332 24/10/2008
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (CA)
[2007] EWCA Civ 583; [2007] FSR 29; (2007) HRLR 33; (2007) BusLR 1456; (2007) 97 BMLR 1; (2007) 30(8) IPD 30052; The Times, 27 June 2007 20/06/2007
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (ChD)
[2007] EWHC 972 (Ch); [2007] FSR 28; (2007) 30(6) IPD 30043 26/04/2007
Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others (No.3)
[2006] EWHC 3289 (QB); [2007] 94 BMLR 1 21/12/2006
Al Amoudi v Brisard & Another
[2006] EWHC 1062 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 113; [2006] 3 All ER 294 16/05/2006
Bunt v Tilley & Others
[2006] EWHC 407 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 1243; [2006] 3 All ER 336; [2006] EMLR 523 10/03/2006
Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others
[2005] EWHC 2410 (QB) 04/11/2005
Creative Resins International Ltd v Glasslam Europe Ltd & Others
[2005] EWHC 777 (QB) 03/05/2005
Jameel & Another v Times Newspapers Ltd (CA)
[2004] EWCA Civ 983; [2004] EMLR 665 21/07/2004
Foster & Another v Associated Newspapers Limited
[2002] EWHC 1885 (QB) 13/09/2002
McManus v Beckham
[2002] EWCA Civ 939; [2002] EMLR 880; [2002] 1 WLR 2982 04/07/2002
Privacy and Confidence
WM Morrison Supermarkets plc (Appellant) v Various Claimants (Respondents)
[2020] UKSC 12 01/04/2020
UUU v BBB
[2019] EWHC 3190 (QB) 28/11/2019
Various Claimants v Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC
[2018] EWCA Civ 2239 22/10/2018
(1) NT1 & (2) NT2 v Google LLC
[2018] EWHC 799 (QB; [2018] EMLR 18; [2018] HRLR 13 13/04/2018
Various Claimants v WM Morrisons Supermarket PLC
[2017] EWHC3113 (QB); [2018] IRLR 200; [2018] EMLR 12 01/12/2017
Rufus v Elliott (preliminary issue)
[2015] EWHC 807 (QB) 24/03/2015
Cooper v Turrell
[2011] EWHC 3269 (QB) 12/12/2011
BBC v HarperCollins Publishers Limited
[2010] EWHC 2424 (Ch) 04/10/2010
The Author of a Blog v Times Newspapers Ltd
[2009] EWHC 1358 (QB) 16/06/2009
Briscoe Mitchell v Hodder & Stoughton Ltd & Anr, Associated Newspapers Limited (non-party)
[2008] EWHC 2852 (QB) 21/11/2008
Murray v Big Pictures (UK) Ltd (CA)
[2008] EWCA Civ 446; [2008] 3 WLR 1360; [2008] EMLR 399; [2008] EHRR 736; [2008] 2 FLR 599; [2008] HRLR 33; [2008] UKHRR 736; The Times, 12 May 2008 07/05/2008
Northern Rock PLC v Financial Times Limited & Others
[2007] EWHC 2677 (QB) 16/11/2007
Murray v Express Newspapers plc & Another
[2007] EWHC 1908 (Ch); [2007] EMLR 583; [2007] 3 FCR 331; [2007] HRLR 44; [2007] UKHRR 1322; [2007] Fam Law 1073; (2007) 157 NLJ 1199; (2008) 1 FLR 704; The Times, 4 October 2007 07/08/2007
RWD Technologies Ltd v Gibbs & Others
[2002] 8 CL 42 12/12/2001
Harassment
UUU v BBB
[2019] EWHC 3190 (QB) 28/11/2019
Bunt v Tilley & Others
[2006] EWHC 407 (QB); [2007] 1 WLR 1243; [2006] 3 All ER 336; [2006] EMLR 523 10/03/2006
Blackmail
UUU v BBB
[2019] EWHC 3190 (QB) 28/11/2019
Injunctive Relief
UUU v BBB
[2019] EWHC 3190 (QB) 28/11/2019
(1) NT1 & (2) NT2 v Google LLC
[2018] EWHC 799 (QB; [2018] EMLR 18; [2018] HRLR 13 13/04/2018
Cooper v Turrell
[2011] EWHC 3269 (QB) 12/12/2011
BBC v HarperCollins Publishers Limited
[2010] EWHC 2424 (Ch) 04/10/2010
Northern Rock PLC v Financial Times Limited & Others
[2007] EWHC 2677 (QB) 16/11/2007
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (CA)
[2007] EWCA Civ 583; [2007] FSR 29; (2007) HRLR 33; (2007) BusLR 1456; (2007) 97 BMLR 1; (2007) 30(8) IPD 30052; The Times, 27 June 2007 20/06/2007
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (ChD)
[2007] EWHC 972 (Ch); [2007] FSR 28; (2007) 30(6) IPD 30043 26/04/2007
Fayed v BBC
[2004] EWHC 109 (QB) 08/01/2004
Psychology Press Limited v Nelson Thornes Limited & Another
[2002] EWHC 1205 (QB) 19/06/2002
RWD Technologies Ltd v Gibbs & Others
[2002] 8 CL 42 12/12/2001
Pre-publication Advice
Briscoe Mitchell v Hodder & Stoughton Ltd & Anr, Associated Newspapers Limited (non-party)
[2008] EWHC 2852 (QB) 21/11/2008
Intellectual Property
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (CA)
[2007] EWCA Civ 583; [2007] FSR 29; (2007) HRLR 33; (2007) BusLR 1456; (2007) 97 BMLR 1; (2007) 30(8) IPD 30052; The Times, 27 June 2007 20/06/2007
Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd & Others v Vetplus Ltd (ChD)
[2007] EWHC 972 (Ch); [2007] FSR 28; (2007) 30(6) IPD 30043 26/04/2007
Psychology Press Limited v Nelson Thornes Limited & Another
[2002] EWHC 1205 (QB) 19/06/2002
RWD Technologies Ltd v Gibbs & Others
[2002] 8 CL 42 12/12/2001
Human Rights
UUU v BBB
[2019] EWHC 3190 (QB) 28/11/2019
Data Protection and Information Law
WM Morrison Supermarkets plc (Appellant) v Various Claimants (Respondents)
[2020] UKSC 12 01/04/2020
Various Claimants v Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC
[2018] EWCA Civ 2239 22/10/2018
(1) NT1 & (2) NT2 v Google LLC
[2018] EWHC 799 (QB; [2018] EMLR 18; [2018] HRLR 13 13/04/2018
Various Claimants v WM Morrisons Supermarket PLC
[2017] EWHC3113 (QB); [2018] IRLR 200; [2018] EMLR 12 01/12/2017
Murray v Big Pictures (UK) Ltd (CA)
[2008] EWCA Civ 446; [2008] 3 WLR 1360; [2008] EMLR 399; [2008] EHRR 736; [2008] 2 FLR 599; [2008] HRLR 33; [2008] UKHRR 736; The Times, 12 May 2008 07/05/2008
Murray v Express Newspapers plc & Another
[2007] EWHC 1908 (Ch); [2007] EMLR 583; [2007] 3 FCR 331; [2007] HRLR 44; [2007] UKHRR 1322; [2007] Fam Law 1073; (2007) 157 NLJ 1199; (2008) 1 FLR 704; The Times, 4 October 2007 07/08/2007
General Common Law
Fayed v BBC
[2004] EWHC 109 (QB) 08/01/2004
5RB Talks
5RB talks - Lloyd v Google Supreme Court decision
12 Nov 2021
With Jonathan Scherbel-Ball, Felicity McMahon & Jonathan Barnes KC
End of Michaelmas term update 2020
10 Dec 2020
With Jonathan Barnes KC, Aidan Eardley KC, Jonathan Scherbel-Ball & Chloe Strong
5RB talks - the Supreme Court decision in the Morrisons data breach case
9 Apr 2020
With Jonathan Barnes KC, Aidan Eardley KC & Felicity McMahon
5RB Talks: Manchester
15 May 2015
With Jonathan Barnes KC, Richard Munden, Chloe Strong & Adrienne Page KC
Articles
Vicarious liability for misuse of private information
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 28 Sep 2016
High profile divorce fuels discussion on family court reporting - Appleton v Gallagher
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 22 Apr 2016
Libel and Slander - The Defamation Act 2013
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 17 Apr 2015
Defamation County Court - Why Not?
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 28 Aug 2014
The Defamation Act 2013 – 6 months on
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 1 Jul 2014
Non-disclosure injunctions - the new landscape
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 24 Oct 2012
Are the hunters becoming the hunted? The role of the paparazzi after recent rulings
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 19 Nov 2009
Electronic Harassment - Steps to Protect Employees
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 9 Jul 2007
Join the parties - CPR 5.4
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 1 Mar 2007
Freedom of Information Act 2000: enhanced access to information
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 24 Nov 2004
Harry Potter and the John Doe injunction
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 1 Nov 2003
CPR disclosure and the Data Protection Act 1998
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 31 Jul 2003
When is a judge not a judge?
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 1 Jun 2003
Grobbelaar: Pyrrhic victory as libel jury's verdict restored.
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 1 Feb 2003
Cartoons and the law of libel
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 1 Jun 2002
Publications
The Law of Privacy and the Media 3rd Edition
OUP
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 22 Jan 2016
Blackstone's Guide to the Defamation Act 2013
Oxford University Press
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 19 Sep 2013
Tugendhat & Christie: The Law of Privacy and the Media, Second Edition
Oxford University Press
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 17 Mar 2011
The Law of Privacy and the Media
Oxford University Press
By Jonathan Barnes KC. 17 Oct 2002
In 5RB News
17 Oct 2024
5RB in Chambers & Partners 2025
3 Nov 2023
Net Benefit? The Online Safety Bill receives Royal Assent
Jonathan Barnes KC and Samuel Rowe review the Online Safety Act 2023
20 Oct 2023
5RB tops rankings in Chambers & Partners
12 Oct 2023
5RB and Hiscox panel on AI
Risks and Opportunities of Generative AI: Panel Discussion
5 Oct 2023
5RB named Tier 1 set in Defamation and privacy by The Legal 500
21 Jul 2023
GEO TV seeks summary judgment
Statutory reporting privilege claimed
14 Jun 2023
5RB supporting London Legal Walk 2023
7 Oct 2022
5RB named top set by The Legal 500
Directory rankings also released
16 Nov 2021
Lloyd v Google Supreme Court decision
5RB barristers review key takeaways from the judgment in this short 5RB talk
24 Aug 2021
NVTV libel claim dismissed: footage not in fact broadcast
Murray J finds for Defendant on preliminary issue
15 Mar 2021
Jonathan Barnes formally appointed QC
Letters patent delivered by email
17 Dec 2020
Jonathan Barnes appointed to QC
5RB congratulates Jonathan on his appointment as Queen's Counsel
7 Oct 2020
Recorder appointments announced
5RB's Jonathan Barnes and Aidan Eardley
9 Apr 2020
5RB talks – the Supreme Court decision in the Morrisons data breach case
Jonathan Barnes, Aidan Eardley and Felicity McMahon discuss
1 Apr 2020
Morrisons appeal allowed by Supreme Court
Application in principle of vicarious liability to data protection confirmed however
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
19 Nov 2019
Supreme Court Judgment awaited in “fascinating” Morrisons data claim
Appeal by Morrisons against liability in mass data leak has been heard by the Supreme Court
6 Nov 2019
Supreme Court begins hearing Morrisons data claim
Two-day appeal in Supreme Court starts today in case concerning massive employee data breach
1 Nov 2019
5RB sweeps the board at Bar Awards
Winning Three Defamation Awards
22 Oct 2018
Court of Appeal Upholds Morrisons Data Breach Claim
Morrisons’ challenge to vicarious liability finding dismissed
13 Apr 2018
Trial establishes English “right to be forgotten”
High Court makes first de-listing order against Google LLC
26 Feb 2018
First “right to be forgotten” case reaches trial
NT1 v Google LLC begins 27 February
1 Dec 2017
Landmark judgment in group litigation data leak claim
Morrisons held vicariously liable for disclosure of employee data
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
9 Oct 2017
Trial in Morrisons data leak case begins
Claim in misuse of private information, breach of confidence and under DPA
16 Dec 2016
First order made under s.12 of the Defamation Act 2013
ARY News broadcaster ordered to broadcast summary of High Court's judgment
2 Dec 2016
Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman awarded £185k libel damages
Media group chairman wins libel claim against ARY News broadcaster over 'traitor' allegations; but loses harassment claim
22 Jan 2016
New edition of The Law of Privacy and the Media published
Read an extract on Privacy, the Internet and Social Media
5 May 2015
5RB Talks: Manchester
5RB's Jonathan Barnes, Richard Munden and Chloe Strong spoke
20 Feb 2015
N-word text appeal dismissed
Court of Appeal judgment in Rufus v Elliott
31 Oct 2014
5RB tops Chambers & Partners 2015
Set and 19 barristers recommended in UK Bar Guide
20 May 2014
5RB at the London Legal Walk
Chambers team raised £2341.25
19 Sep 2013
Blackstone’s Guide to the Defamation Act 2013 published
Guide to the new Act out now
31 Oct 2012
5RB Sponsors National Pro Bono Centre
Chambers continues support for Pro Bono work as Bronze Sponsor
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
30 Aug 2011
Saudi businessman awarded £175,000 libel damages
Award ensures maximum vindication
17 Mar 2011
New edition of privacy book published
Second edition of Tugendhat & Christie: The Law of Privacy and the Media published
5 Nov 2010
5RB tops directory ranking
Chambers & Partners 2011 edition praises set
2 Sep 2010
Stig injunction refused
Court declines to grant interim injunction restraining book publication
15 Apr 2010
Durand School receives libel apology
Father of trainee teacher joins in High Court apology, pays damages and costs
24 Sep 2009
5RB’s juniors: the Legal 500 verdict
What the legal directory had to say about 5RB's junior barristers
16 Jun 2009
The Times free to identify blog author
Court refuses interim confidence and privacy injunction applications
28 Oct 2008
Lords refuse leave in Murray
Pushchair privacy claim brought by J.K. Rowling's son to proceed to trial
7 May 2008
Pushchair privacy appeal succeeds
CA reinstates photograph claim and says it must proceed to trial
10 Mar 2008
Pushchair privacy case goes to appeal
J.K. Rowling's son seeks to overturn High Court judgment on photograph
14 Nov 2007
Northern Rock granted injunction against Financial Times
Further reporting of confidential documents prohibited
20 Sep 2007
5RB tops Legal 500
20 Barristers rated and recommended in Defamation, Privacy, Intellectual Property, Sport and Media & Entertainment Law
22 Jun 2007
J. K. Rowling’s son in privacy fight
Photo agency seeks dismissal of claim in relation to pictures of author's child
1 Dec 2006
No retrospective public access to court documents
Law Society secures change to CPR amendments
5 Oct 2006
Court papers access challenge
Media and Law Society in Court over changes to CPR Part 5.4
27 Sep 2006
5RB tops Legal 500 survey
Twenty barristers recommended across core practice areas
12 Jun 2006
Former driving examiner wins £30,000
Claims he 'played the system' completely false
10 Mar 2006
Practical immunity for ISPs confirmed
High Court rules on liability for third party postings on the Web
21 Sep 2005
5RB tops annual Legal 500 Review
17 barristers named as leaders in their field
5 Apr 2005
5RB Speaker Updates Disclosure Conference
Disclosure, Evidence and Privilege Conference 2005
24 Nov 2004
Freedom of information update
5RB member to speak at CLT conference
24 Sep 2004
5RB top in Legal 500 Review
15 barristers named as leaders in their field
3 Nov 2003
Royal Controversy
5RB Instructed
Contact
Email: clerks@5rb.com
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