Adrienne Page KC

Adrienne Page KC

Adrienne is Joint Head of Chambers with Jane Phillips.  She was also joint Head of Chambers with Desmond Browne KC CBE between 2003 and 2011 and more recently with Justin Rushbrooke KC.  She was appointed to Silk in 1999.

She received the award of “Defamation Silk of the Year” in 2010, 2018 and 2020 in the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards and “Media and the Arts Silk of the Year” in the 2024 Legal 500 Bar Awards. She has been listed by Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide for the past four years as a “Star Individual” in Defamation and Privacy; and, in Legal 500, she is listed as a rank one ‘Leading Silk’ in the field. 

Acting for and advising both claimants and defendants, she has been instructed in many of the high-profile cases in her field, including the only two cases in which the Supreme Court has considered provisions of the Defamation Act 2013 (see below Serafin and Lachaux).

She represented MGN Limited, the publisher of The Mirror (with Ben Gallop and Samuel Rowe) at the trial in November 2023 of Sir James Dyson’s libel claim, which The Mirror was successful in defeating.

IMPORTANT AND RECENT CASES

Appellate Courts

  • Serafin v Malkiewicz [2020] UKSC 23; [2020] 1 WLR 2455; [2020] EMLR 24, for the Respondent (Claimant) to an appeal to the Supreme Court, successfully resisting the Appellants’ appeal against the Court of Appeal’s finding that Jan Serafin had been subject to unfair judicial treatment at his libel trial, where Serafin had been unrepresented and the Defendants had been  represented by leading counsel. This was the first consideration by the Supreme Court of the defence of publication on matter of public interest under s.4 of the Defamation Act 2013.
  • Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd [2019] UKSC 27; [2020] AC 612; [2020] EMLR 24, for the Respondent (Claimant) to an appeal to the Supreme Court, successfully resisting the Appellant newspapers’ appeal from  the Court of Appeal decision upholding the finding at trial of Warby J that the Claimant had proved serious harm to his reputation pursuant to s.1 of the Defamation Act 2013. This was the first consideration by the Supreme Court of the serious harm requirement under s.1.
  • EuroEco Fuels (Poland) Ltd v Szczecin & Swinoujscie Seaports Authority SA [2019] EWCA Civ 1932; [2019] 4 WLR 156; [2020] EMLR 9, for the Claimants in their successful appeal to the Court of Appeal against the Defendants’ jurisdiction challenge under the Brussels Recast Regulation to their libel and malicious falsehood claim commenced in England and Wales.
  • Sloutsker v Romanova [2016] EWCA Civ 762 for the Claimant, successfully resisting the Defendant/Appellant’s attempt to appeal the decision of Warby J at trial awarding the Claimant damages for libel of £110,000.
  • James Rhodes v OPO [2015] UKSC 32; [2016] AC 219; [2015] EMLR 20, acting pro bono for English PEN, Article 19 and Index on Censorship as freedom of expression Interveners in the Supreme Court, which ruled upon the proper scope of the tort in Wilkinson v Downton.

High court trials/preliminary issue trials

  • Zoe Harcombe PhD & Dr Malcolm Kendrick v Associated Newspapers Limited & Barney Calman, for the successful Claimants at the 8-day (first stage) trial in July 2023 of their defamation claims against the publishers of the Mail on Sunday in which judgment was handed down in June 2024 dismissing the newspaper’s section 4 public interest defence, with Godwin Busuttil of 5RB.  In the light of the wide range of issues that fell to be determined, Nicklin J described these proceedings in his earlier judgment following the CMC as “the most significant piece of defamation litigation that [he has] seen in a very long time”.
  • Dr Ashti Hawrami v Journalism Development Network Inc (publisher of the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, acting for the successful Claimant with Tom Blackburn SC of 5RB at the trial of the publisher’s defence under section 15 of the Defamation Act 1996, which was dismissed by Steyn J in her judgment handed down in August 2024.
  • Sir James Dyson v MGN Limited, acting for the Mirror newspaper with Ben Gallop and Samuel Rowe of 5RB in its successful defence at trial in November 2023 of  the libel claim brought by Sir James Dyson, complaining of a Mirror columnist’s opinion on the move of Dyson’s head office to Singapore following his support of the Brexit campaign.
  • Chishti v Spottiswoode & Ors [2023] EWHC 1808 KB, for the Claimant in a meaning determination in a claim against Telegraph Media Group Limited, with Jacob Dean of 5RB.
  • Bruno Lachaux v Independent Print Limited & Evening Standard Limited [2021] EWHC 1797 (QB), for the Claimant in the long-awaited trial of his claims against the two newspapers for articles published in 2014, which took place before Nicklin J in February/March 2021 with Godwin Busuttil of 5RB. The defences of the newspapers under section 4 of the Defamation Act 2013 were defeated and the Claimant was awarded a total of £120,000 damages. On its way to trial, the case went to the Court of Appeal (on two separate issues) and to the Supreme Court on the proper approach to section 1 of the 2013 Act, with Godwin Busuttil of 5RB as junior counsel.
  • Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou v Telegraph Media Group [2020] EWHC 2922 (QB), for the newspaper Defendant in striking out the claim of Sir Stelios for libel on the ground that the words published were non-defamatory opinion and therefore not actionable, with Ben Gallop of 5RB.
  • Nina Burleigh v Telegraph Media Group [2020] EWHC 2359 (QB), for the newspaper Defendant in striking out the claim of Ms Burleigh on the ground that the words published were not defamatory of her and therefore not actionable.
  • Greensill Capital (UK) Ltd v Reuters News & Media Ltd [2020] EWHC 1325 (QB), for the Claimant at its trial to determine meaning.
  • Lord Mohammed Sheikh v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2019] EWHC 2947 (QB), for the Claimant at his trial to determine meaning, which led to a settlement involving an apology to Lord Sheikh and payment of substantial damages. Adrienne was in consequence the featured ‘barrister of the week‘ in The Lawyer for 7 August 2020.
  • Dr Daniel Poulter MP v Times Newspapers Limited [2018] EWHC 3900 (QB), for the Claimant whose claim for libel and misuse of private information against The Sunday Times was the subject of  settlement in 2019 whereby Times Newspapers apologised to Dr Poulter in open court and paid him substantial damages following the trial on meaning.
  • AXB v BXA [2018] EWHC 588 (QB), for the Claimant at the trial of his claim for misuse of private information and deceit before Sir David Eady.
  • Nick Brown MP v Tom Bower & Faber & Faber [2017] EWHC 2637 (QB); [2018] EMLR 9, for the Claimant in his libel claim against Faber & Faber and Tom Bower.
  • Attorney General v Conde Nast Publications Ltd [2015] EWHC 3322 (Admin), for the magazine publisher, in proceedings before the Lord Chief Justice in the Administrative Court in 2015 in respect of an article in GQ Magazine published during the ‘phone-hacking’ criminal trial.
  • Traveller Movement c Ofcom & Channel 4 [2015] EWHC 406 (Admin), for Channel in the judicial review of Ofcom’s rejection of a standards complaint by the Traveller Movement in respect of the broadcaster’s series Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and Thelma’s Gypsy Girls.
  • Ames v Spamhaus Project [2015] EWHC 127 (QB); [2015] 1 WLR 3409; [2015] EMLR 13, for the Claimant in resisting the striking out of their claim.

 

Called

1974 Called to the Bar of England and Wales
1999 Silk
1995 - 2004 Year of recorder

Education

University of Kent at Canterbury B.A. Hons. (Social Science) - 1970 - 1973

Qualifications

Called to the Bar (Middle Temple) in 1974

Areas of work

Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
Harassment
Privacy and Confidence

Testimonials

Awarded “Defamation Silk of the Year” in the Chambers & Partners Bar Awards 2010, 2018 and 2020. Rated a “Star Individual” in Defamation and Privacy every year since 2020 in Chambers UK Bar Guide.

She, frankly, is phenomenal. She is really knowledgeable, loves the subject and is calm. She is the voice of reason in a crisis.” Adrienne is so amazing. She is a phenomenal lawyer and is completely responsive.” She always provides a clear and measured analysis in her advice and first-class advocacy.” (Chambers UK Bar Guide 2024)

Brilliant and robust advocate.” (Legal 500 – 2024)

An extremely able lawyer and advocate who is superb with clients.” (Chambers & Partners 2023)

Adrienne’s ability to forensically examine a case and forcibly present it at trial is very impressive.” “She comes up with solutions not problems, using extremely clever ideas that no one else has thought of.” (Chambers & Partners 2021 – 2022)

A supreme intellect and tactically very astute. Great at both case strategy and detail”. “She’s extremely responsive no matter how busy she is. She’s so prompt, efficient and remarkably thorough”. (Chambers & Partners 2020 – 2021)

She’s one of the best silks I have worked with. She delivers really good advocacy and I think she’s just incredible in the courtroom.” “A wonderful adviser and an advocate at the top of her field.” (Chambers & Partners 2019-2020)

A brilliant mind who always provides clear analysis. Cool, collected and very responsive.” “Hugely experienced.” (Chambers & Partners 2018-19)

Adrienne is extremely effective and brilliant at devising strategies to bring litigation to a swift resolution.” “Her practical and legal acumen is phenomenal.”  (Chambers & Partners 2017-18)

Fiercely intelligent and forensic in her approach.” (Legal 500 2016-17)

Adrienne Page is a brilliant legal mind and a pleasure to work with.” “She is so precise and all over the facts.” (Chambers & Partners 2016-17)

She is incredibly impressive and an absolute leader in her field.” “She continues to be at the top of her game. Her intellectual and commercial abilities make her one of the go-to silks for defamation.” (Chambers & Partners 2015-16)

An outstanding tactician and very gifted silk” (Legal 500 2015-16)

One of the best libel tacticians around; an iron fist in a velvet glove during trial” (Legal 500 2014-15)

Considered one of the strongest practitioners currently at the Defamation and Privacy Bar….” (Chambers & Partners 2014-15)

“[she] has the ability to make advocacy look so easy and effortless – she is always in total command. highly forensic in her approach and extremely well informed.” Clients describe her as “a joy to work with”, noting that she is “fantastic, incredibly bright and someone who really instills confidence – when you ask her opinion, you know the advice will be spot-on”” (Chambers & Partners 2013-14)

Recommended as a “Leading Silk” in defamation and privacy in both Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 every year since taking silk.

She has been described, in other Directory entries in recent years in the following terms: “The ‘fantastic’ Adrienne Page QC has ‘incredible intellect'”; a “canny class act” … “is valued for being conscientious and hard-working“; and “”She’s very strategic, bonds well with clients and transmits her arguments to the court beautifully,say observers.”

In 2014, Adrienne was named by Mike Harris, free speech campaigner, as one of the lawyer heroes of the Libel Reform Campaign: http://www.mjrharris.co.uk/the-heroes-of-the-libel-reform-campaign/

Adrienne was jointly short-listed (with Adam Speker) for the Liberty/Justice Human Rights Lawyer of the Year 2003 for Lillie & Reed v Newcastle City Council [2002] EWHC 1600, in which she was leading counsel for two nursery workers falsely accused of serial abuse of young children in their care in a libel trial lasting 79 days. Her clients were each awarded the maximum amount of damages available at that time for a defamation claim.

 

 

Memberships

Bencher of the Middle Temple since 2003

Featured cases

Rhodes (previously "MLA") v OPO

[2015] UKSC 32 20/05/2015

Ames & anor v The Spamhaus Project Ltd & anor

[2015] EWHC 127 (QB) 27/01/2015

Sloutsker v Romanova

[2015] EWHC 545 (QB) 05/03/2015

Traveller Movement v Ofcom & Channel 4

[2015] EWHC 406 (Admin) 20/02/2015

British Chiropractic Association v Singh (CA)

[2010] EWCA Civ 350; [2011] EMLR 1 01/04/2010

Viagogo Ltd v (1) Paul Myles (2) Hardcash Productions (3) Channel Four Corporation

[2012] EWHC 433 (Ch) 23/02/2012

Hutcheson v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2011] EWCA Civ 808; [2012] EMLR 2; [2012] UKHRR 1329 19/07/2011

Lillie & Reed v Newcastle City Council & Others (No.2)

[2002] EWHC 1600 (QB) 30/07/2002

Morrison v Buckinghamshire County Council

[2011] EWHC 3444 (QB) 20/12/2011

Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (Nos.1-3) (CA)

[2008] EWCA Civ 834; [2009] QB 600; [2009] EMLR 1 16/07/2008

Tillery Valley Foods Ltd v Channel Four Television Corpn & Another

[2004] EWHC 1075 (Ch); The Times, 21 May 2004 11/05/2004

Wood v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police (CA)

[2004] EWCA Civ 1638; [2005] EMLR 449; The Times, 13 December 2004 08/12/2004

All cases

Defamation and Malicious Falsehood

Chishti v Spottiswoode & Ors

[2023] EWHC 1808 (KB) 24/07/2023

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd

[2021] EWHC 1797 (QB) 12/07/2021

(1) Greensill Capital (UK) Limited (2) Alexander Greensill v Reuters News And Media Limited

[2020] EWHC 1325 (QB) 06/04/2021

EuroEco Fuels (Poland) Ltd & Ors v Szczecin and Swinoujscie Seaports Authority SA & Ors

[2019] EWCA Civ 1932 11/11/2019

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd

[2019] UKSC 27 13/06/2019

Poulter v Times Newspapers Limited

[2018] EWHC 3900 (QB) 17/12/2018

Brown v Bower & Another

[2017] EWHC 2637 (QB) 31/10/2017

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd (Privilege)

[2017] EWCA Civ 1327 12/09/2017

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd (Serious harm)

[2017] EWCA Civ 1334 12/09/2017

Nick Brown v (1) Tom Bower & (2) Faber & Faber Limited

[2017] EWHC 1388 19/06/2017

Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd, Evening Standard Ltd, AOL (UK) Ltd

[2015] EWHC 2242 (QB) 30/07/2015

Sloutsker v Romanova

[2015] EWHC 2053 (QB) 16/07/2015

Sloutsker v Romanova

[2015] EWHC 545 (QB) 05/03/2015

Ames & anor v The Spamhaus Project Ltd & anor

[2015] EWHC 127 (QB) 27/01/2015

McCann v Bennett

[2013] EWHC 283 (QB); [2013] EWHC 332 (QB) 25/02/2013

Ansari v Knowles

[2012] EWHC 3137 (QB) 08/11/2012

Mark Lewis v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis

[2012] EWHC 1391 (QB) 25/05/2012

Morrison v Buckinghamshire County Council

[2011] EWHC 3444 (QB) 20/12/2011

Islam Expo Ltd v The Spectator (1828) Ltd & Pollard

[2010] EWHC 2011 (QB) 30/07/2010

Fiddes v Channel Four Television Corporation & Ors (No 2) (CA)

[2010] EWCA Civ 730 29/06/2010

British Chiropractic Association v Singh (CA)

[2010] EWCA Civ 350; [2011] EMLR 1 01/04/2010

North London Central Mosque Trust v Policy Exchange & Anor

[2009] EWHC 3311 (QB) 26/11/2009

Desmond v Bower (CA)

[2009] EWCA Civ 667 07/07/2009

Tesco Stores Ltd v Guardian News & Media Ltd and Rusbridger

[2008] EWHC (QB); [2009] EMLR 5 29/07/2008

Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (Nos.1-3) (CA)

[2008] EWCA Civ 834; [2009] QB 600; [2009] EMLR 1 16/07/2008

Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (No.3)

[2007] EWHC 3062 (QB) 20/12/2007

Warren v The Random House Group Ltd

[2007] EWHC 2856 (QB); [2008] 2 WLR 1033 05/12/2007

Warren v The Random House Group Ltd (No.2)

[2007] EWHC 2860 (QB) 05/12/2007

Charman v Orion Publishing Group & others (No.3) (CA)

[2007] EWCA Civ 972; [2008] 1 AllER 750 11/10/2007

Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others (No.3)

[2006] EWHC 3289 (QB); [2007] 94 BMLR 1 21/12/2006

Tierney v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No.2) (Costs)

[2006] EWHC 3275 (QB) 20/12/2006

High Tech International AG & Others v Deripaska

[2006] EWHC 3276 (QB); [2007] EMLR 449 20/12/2006

Al-Koronky v Time-Life Entertainment Group Ltd & Another (CA)

[2006] EWCA Civ 1123; The Times, 28 August 2006 28/07/2006

Charman v Orion Publishing Group & others (No.3)

[2006] EWHC 1756 (QB); [2007] 1 All ER 622 13/07/2006

Turner v News Group Newspapers Ltd (CA)

[2006] EWCA Civ 540; [2006] 1 WLR 3469; [2006] 4 All ER 613; [2006] EMLR 703; The Independent, 23 May 2006 16/05/2006

Wakefield v Channel Four Television & Others

[2005] EWHC 2410 (QB) 04/11/2005

Charman v Orion Publishing Group & others (No.2)

[2005] EWHC 2187 (QB) 14/10/2005

Al-Koronky v Time-Life Entertainment Group Ltd & Another (QB)

[2005] EWHC 1688 (QB) 29/07/2005

Charman v Orion Publishing Group & others

17/06/2005 17/06/2005

Turner v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Another

[2005] EWHC 892 (QB); [2005] EMLR 553 12/05/2005

Matadeen v Associated Newspapers Ltd

17/03/2005 17/03/2005

Rackham v Sandy and Others

24/02/2005 24/02/2005

Nail v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Others (CA)

[2004] EWCA Civ 1708; [2005] 1 All ER 1040; [2005] EMLR 257; The Times 6 Jan 2005; The Independent 14 Jan 2005 20/12/2004

Wood v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police (CA)

[2004] EWCA Civ 1638; [2005] EMLR 449; The Times, 13 December 2004 08/12/2004

Tillery Valley Foods Ltd v Channel Four Television Corpn & Another

[2004] EWHC 1075 (Ch); The Times, 21 May 2004 11/05/2004

Nail v News Group Newspapers Ltd & Others (QBD)

[2004] EWHC 647 (QB); [2004] EMLR 362 26/03/2004

Sharma v Jay & Others (No.2)

11/02/2004 11/02/2004

Wood v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police

[2003] EWHC 2971 (QB), [2004] EMLR 310 08/12/2003

Miller v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2003] EWHC 2799 (QB); [2004] EMLR 698 11/11/2003

Blake v Associated Newspapers Limited

[2003] EWHC 1960 (QB) 31/07/2003

Sharma v Jay & Others

15/04/2003 15/04/2003

Rigg v Associated Newspapers Ltd

[2003] EWHC 710 (QB); [2004] EMLR 52 07/03/2003

Cleese v Clark & Associated Newspapers Limited

[2003] EWHC 137 (QB); [2004] EMLR 37 06/02/2003

Abu v MGN Ltd

[2002] EWHC 2345 (QB); [2003] 1 WLR 2201; [2003] 2 All ER 864; [2003] EMLR 21 07/11/2002

Bataille v Newland & Ors

[2002] EWHC 1692 (QB) 31/07/2002

Lillie & Reed v Newcastle City Council & Others (No.2)

[2002] EWHC 1600 (QB) 30/07/2002

Mark v Associated Newspapers Limited

[2002] EWCA Civ 772; [2002] EMLR 839 30/05/2002

Lillie & Reed v Newcastle City Council & others

[2002] EWHC 252 (QB) 07/02/2002

Kiam v MGN Ltd

[2002] EWCA Civ 43; [2003] QB 281; [2002] 2 All ER 219; [2002] 3 WLR 1036 28/01/2002

Carpenter v Associated Newspapers Ltd

30/11/2001 30/11/2001

Al-Fagih v HH Saudi Research & Marketing

[2001] EWCA Civ 1634; [2002] EMLR 215 05/11/2001

Branson v Bower

[2001] EWCA Civ 791; [2001] EMLR 800 24/05/2001

Elite Model Agency v BBC

24/05/2001 24/05/2001

Berezovsky v Forbes Inc & Michaels

[2000] UKHL 25; [2000] 1 WLR 1004; [2000] 2 All ER 986; [2000] EMLR 643 11/05/2000

Hamilton v Fayed

[2001] AC 395 23/03/2000

Privacy and Confidence

AXB v BXA

[2018] EWHC 588 (QB) 22/03/2018

Viagogo Ltd v (1) Paul Myles (2) Hardcash Productions (3) Channel Four Corporation

[2012] EWHC 433 (Ch) 23/02/2012

Hutcheson v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2011] EWCA Civ 808; [2012] EMLR 2; [2012] UKHRR 1329 19/07/2011

KGM v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2010] EWHC 3145 (QB) 01/12/2010

Howlett v Holding (No. 4)

[2006] EWHC 41 (QB); The Times, 8 February 2006 25/01/2006

Tillery Valley Foods Ltd v Channel Four Television Corpn & Another

[2004] EWHC 1075 (Ch); The Times, 21 May 2004 11/05/2004

Harassment

Howlett v Holding (No. 4)

[2006] EWHC 41 (QB); The Times, 8 February 2006 25/01/2006

Sharma v Jay & Others

15/04/2003 15/04/2003

Reporting the Courts and Contempt

Her Majesty’s Attorney General v The Conde Nast Publications Ltd

[2015] EWHC 3322 (Admin) 18/11/2015

Rhodes (previously “MLA”) v OPO

[2015] UKSC 32 20/05/2015

Injunctive Relief

AXB v BXA

[2018] EWHC 588 (QB) 22/03/2018

Sloutsker v Romanova

[2015] EWHC 2053 (QB) 16/07/2015

Rhodes (previously “MLA”) v OPO

[2015] UKSC 32 20/05/2015

Viagogo Ltd v (1) Paul Myles (2) Hardcash Productions (3) Channel Four Corporation

[2012] EWHC 433 (Ch) 23/02/2012

Hutcheson v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2011] EWCA Civ 808; [2012] EMLR 2; [2012] UKHRR 1329 19/07/2011

KGM v News Group Newspapers Ltd

[2010] EWHC 3145 (QB) 01/12/2010

Howlett v Holding (No. 4)

[2006] EWHC 41 (QB); The Times, 8 February 2006 25/01/2006

Tillery Valley Foods Ltd v Channel Four Television Corpn & Another

[2004] EWHC 1075 (Ch); The Times, 21 May 2004 11/05/2004

General Common Law

Rhodes (previously “MLA”) v OPO

[2015] UKSC 32 20/05/2015

Sloutsker v Romanova

[2015] EWHC 545 (QB) 05/03/2015

Sharma v Jay & Others

15/04/2003 15/04/2003

Watson v Prager and Another

[1991] 1 WLR 726 15/03/1991

5RB Talks

5RB talks: the Lachaux decision

7 Jan 2021
With Desmond Browne CBE KC, Adrienne Page KC, Tom Blackburn SC & Gervase de Wilde

5RB Talks: Manchester

15 May 2015
With Jonathan Barnes KC, Richard Munden, Chloe Strong & Adrienne Page KC

In 5RB News

17 Oct 2024

5RB in Chambers & Partners 2025

2 Sep 2024

5RB shortlisted at the Legal 500 Awards 2024

8 May 2024

Permission to Appeal refused in Sir James Dyson v MGN Ltd

20 Feb 2024

5RB hosts BVL student internship

1 Dec 2023

Judgment in Sir James Dyson v MGN Limited

21 Nov 2023

Dyson v MGN: Libel trial begins

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

3 Jul 2023

‘Statin deniers’ libel trial begins today

Nicklin J will try the first tranche of issues in the case of Harcombe & Kendrick v Associated Newspapers Ltd

14 Jun 2023

5RB supporting London Legal Walk 2023

22 May 2023

NGN Ltd pays damages over criminal proceedings article

Publisher apologises for “unfair and inaccurate” report of court proceedings

24 Jan 2023

Jane Phillips named in The Lawyer’s ‘Hot 100’ list 2023

The Lawyer magazine has released its annual shortlist of lawyers from across the profession, chosen for their legal excellence and the relevance of their work.

3 Jan 2023

5RB cases dominate Spear’s reputation cases roundup 2022

7 Oct 2022

5RB named top set by The Legal 500

Directory rankings also released

3 Oct 2022

Jane Phillips succeeds Justin Rushbrooke KC as Joint Head of Chambers

1 Jul 2021

Judgment in Lachaux

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

2 Sep 2020

Melania Trump apology not defamatory of author

Apology did not mean author of original article was culpable, Nicklin J rules

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

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

10 Dec 2019

Charles Elphicke v Times Newspapers Ltd: trial of meaning

Court to determine meaning in the libel action brought by former MP against the Sunday Times

1 Nov 2019

5RB sweeps the board at Bar Awards

Winning Three Defamation Awards

12 Jun 2019

Supreme Court hands down judgment in Lachaux

The newspapers’ appeals are dismissed and section 1 is further clarified

11 Oct 2018

Joint statement in Brown v Bower

Parties issue press statement in libel proceedings brought by Nick Brown MP against Tom Bower and Faber and Faber

19 Jul 2018

Roberto Carlos settles “banned performance enhancing drugs” libel case

Associated Newspapers Ltd apologises after making Offer of Amends

13 Jun 2018

Statement in Open Court in Sasha Wass QC libel claim

Publisher apologises and agrees to pay substantial damages

26 Apr 2018

5RB Podcasts on Interim Injunctions

Seeking and defending an interim injunction application

23 Mar 2018

Supreme Court grants PTA in Lachaux

Serious Harm test to be considered again

6 Feb 2018

5RB ‘stands above the competition’

Leaders and juniors praised in new edition of Who's Who Legal

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

19 Oct 2017

5RB Podcast on the Lachaux decision

Round Table discusses the ramifications for Serious Harm

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

27 Jun 2017

No preliminary issue on serious harm

Warby J rejects application for early trial in Brown v Bower

29 Nov 2016

Lachaux appeal hearing begins

Court of Appeal to consider section 1 Defamation Act 2013

19 Nov 2015

Condé Nast found in contempt of court

Proceedings brought about GQ article on phone hacking criminal trial

17 Sep 2015

Chambers UK Bar Awards 2015

5RB Nominated for Defamation Set of the Year

30 Jul 2015

Lachaux: Judgment on serious harm

Articles caused serious harm in four of the five claims

20 May 2015

Supreme Court lifts OPO injunction

"Searing account" of musician's life can now be published

5 May 2015

5RB Talks: Manchester

5RB's Jonathan Barnes, Richard Munden and Chloe Strong spoke

16 Jan 2015

OPO v MLA to begin in Supreme Court

Two day hearing begins Monday 19th January

9 Dec 2014

CQC apologises to Jill Finney

Pays damages and costs to settle libel action

31 Oct 2014

5RB tops Chambers & Partners 2015

Set and 19 barristers recommended in UK Bar Guide

24 Oct 2014

Frank Warren wins libel damages

Boxing promoter awarded £50,000 and substantial costs

22 Oct 2014

Section 1 appeal will not go ahead

Cooke v MGN appeal no longer being pursued

26 Sep 2014

Permission to appeal on Defamation Act 2013

Decision on serious harm test to be considered by Court of Appeal

12 Apr 2013

5RB silks at 2013 Oxford International Media Moot

Browne, Page and Warby are Price Court judges

21 Feb 2013

Suspended prison sentence for Madeleine McCann contempt

McCann critic found guilty of breaching court undertaking

22 Jun 2012

First jury libel trial for 3 years

Jury awards libel damages to Luke Cooper

14 Jun 2012

Solicitor settles phone hacking libel claim

Met Police and Mark Lewis join in Statement in Open Court

23 Mar 2012

5RB silks judge Oxford media moot

Price International Media Law moot 2012

24 Feb 2012

Great Ticket Scandal injunction fails

High Court and Court of Appeal reject ticketing company last-minute bid

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

23 Jun 2011

Defamation Bill Committee update

Joint Committee hears evidence from 5RB's Heads of Chambers

21 Jun 2011

Launch of Early Resolution CIC

New arbitration service for libel disputes

9 Jun 2011

The Sun apologises to ‘Baby P’ social worker

Sylvia Henry wrongly targeted by The Sun

24 May 2011

Ramsay father-in-law fails in Court of Appeal

Eady J decison to refuse privacy injunction in relation to secret second family upheld

1 Apr 2011

BBC air series on media law

'See You in Court' documentary series on libel and privacy cases shown on BBC1

14 Dec 2010

Procedure Group calls for defamation reform

Early Resolution Procedure Group chaired by Sir Charles Gray publishes report

25 Nov 2010

Melanie Phillips apologises for libel

Writer and Spectator apologise to Mohammed Sawalha for alleging that he made anti-Semitic statement, pay damages and costs

5 Nov 2010

5RB tops directory ranking

Chambers & Partners 2011 edition praises set

26 Oct 2010

Baby P social worker receives apologies

Statements in open court made by the Independent, Evening Standard and Daily Mirror

5 Oct 2010

5RB success at the Bar Awards 2010

Defamation Set and Defamation Silk of the Year

28 Aug 2010

Spectator apologises for IslamExpo libel

Publisher and author apologise and pay damages and costs to Islamic exhibition company

21 Jun 2010

Fiddes v Channel 4 libel claim settles

Claimant discontinues claim over 'Jacksons Are Coming' documentary as trial about to commence

10 Jun 2010

Fiddes trial to go ahead without jury

Master of the Rolls rejects appeal over judge alone trial

21 Apr 2010

Mosque Trust granted permission to appeal

Permission granted to charity to appeal strike out ruling on capacity in libel claim over Policy Exchange 'extremist literature' report

20 Apr 2010

Libel law discussion on Radio 4

Adrienne Page QC discusses defamation law and practice on 'Unreliable Evidence'

15 Apr 2010

BCA discontinue Singh claim

Victory for science writer in chiropractic libel claim

1 Apr 2010

Simon Singh wins appeal

Court of Appeal say libel action by chiropractors has "almost certainly" chilled public debate

14 Oct 2009

Science writer gets leave to appeal

Court of Appeal allows Simon Singh to challenge meaning and comment ruling

24 Sep 2009

Legal 500 2009 review praises 5RB

21 barristers recommended by legal directory in defamation, privacy, media, entertainment and sport

31 Jul 2009

Science writer appeal setback

Court of Appeal refuses permission to appeal against meaning ruling

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

8 Jun 2009

IVF doctor libel case settles

Long running battle over claims made on Panorama programme ends

11 Nov 2008

QCs defend judge in privacy row

Paul Dacre's criticisms do 'not bear proper examination', say leading silks

8 Oct 2008

BBC ordered to bear costs after withdrawing privilege defence

Panorama IVF Doctor entitled to related legal costs

16 Sep 2008

Tesco accepts Guardian apology

Newspaper makes front-page apology and payment to charity to settle libel claim

3 Sep 2008

Publisher settles Warren libel action

Boxing Promoter to receive £115,000 from Random House for Ricky Hatton book

16 Jul 2008

Warren wins offer of amends appeal

Court of Appeal rejects Random House’s justification bid in Ricky Hatton libel case

19 Mar 2008

McCanns win front page apologies

Express and Star apologise and pay significant damages over Maddie coverage

8 Nov 2007

5RB tops Chambers & Partners review

20 Barristers rated and recommended in the new annual survey

11 Oct 2007

Author succeeds on Reynolds Appeal

Court of Appeal vindicates journalist and dismisses libel claim brought by former Flying Squad officer

20 Sep 2007

5RB tops Legal 500

20 Barristers rated and recommended in Defamation, Privacy, Intellectual Property, Sport and Media & Entertainment Law

16 Jul 2007

Paul McKenna suffers costs loss

Daily Mirror awarded costs of dropped malice allegations

1 May 2007

Slave libel claim dismissed

Proceedings over book dismissed following failure to pay security for costs

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 Feb 2006

Court of Appeal hears Turner appeal

Turner argues for a higher award of compensation

24 Oct 2005

Chambers’ Review: 5RB top again

20 barristers recommended for Media, Entertainment, Defamation, Privacy, Intellectual Property & Sports Law

23 Sep 2005

‘Chambers of the Year’ goes to 5RB

5RB wins Chambers & Partners Defamation Set of the Year award

21 Sep 2005

5RB tops annual Legal 500 Review

17 barristers named as leaders in their field

16 Sep 2005

5RB nominated for three top awards

Chambers & Partners Annual awards - 22nd September 2005

15 Sep 2005

London hosts MLRC Conference

5RB's Desmond Browne QC to participate in worldwide media law event

27 May 2005

Aerial libel costs £22,500

Millionaire ordered to pay damages a second time for libelling former mayor

12 May 2005

Latest libel Damages awards

Offer of Amends assessments in Guardian and News of the World cases

17 Mar 2005

First defamation costs capping order

Queen's Bench Master grants cost-capping Order against CFA funded Claimant

20 Dec 2004

Jimmy Nail loses damages appeal

CA affirms approach to Offer of Amends Assessments

8 Dec 2004

Police lose qualified privilege appeal

CA upholds £45,000 jury award

5 Nov 2004

5RB top in Chambers & Partners Review

Seventeen 5RB members ranked

11 Oct 2004

The new term ahead…

Autumn/Winter 2004 at 5RB

24 Sep 2004

5RB top in Legal 500 Review

15 barristers named as leaders in their field

13 Jul 2004

Law Commission Report on Local Authority Inquiries

Lillie & Reed case prompts defamation law reform proposals

11 May 2004

Attempt to Gag C4 Dispatches Fails

Chancery Division refuses confidentiality injunction

3 Nov 2003

Royal Controversy

5RB Instructed

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