Ben Gallop - 5RB Barristers

Ben specialises in all aspects of media, communications and information law and accepts instructions across all areas of Chambers’ practice. His clients include national newspaper and magazine publishers, broadcasters, politicians, NGOs, charities, and public authorities. He acts for both Claimants and Defendants.

Recent work of interest includes:

The successful defence, for the publishers of the Daily Mirror, of a libel claim brought by Sir James Dyson. Ben was sole counsel for the defendant at the trial of preliminary issues (Dyson v MGN Ltd [2022] EWHC 2469 (QB) and acted (with Adrienne Page KC and Samuel Rowe) at the trial at which MGN succeeded on the issues of honest opinion and serious harm ([2023] EWHC 3092 (KB)).
Acting, with Andrew Caldecott KC, for the publishers of the Mail on Sunday in the defence of a libel claim brought by the Duke of Sussex: at the trial of preliminary issue (Duke of Sussex v Associated Newspapers Limited [2022] EWHC 1755 (QB)) and in the Defendant’s successful opposition to the Claimant’s application to strike out the defence of honest opinion ([2023] EWHC 3273 (KB)).
As sole counsel for the Sunday Times and Bureau of Investigative Journalism in successfully resisting an application for third party disclosure on source protection grounds (Stokoe Partnership Solicitors v Dechert LLP [2023] EWHC 3273 (KB))
Acting for the Guardian in the defence of libel and data protection proceedings brought by the actor and director Noel Clarke (Clarke v Guardian News and Media [2023] EWHC 2734 (KB)
Acting for the BBC in the defence of libel, privacy and data protection claims in Daedone & Ors v BBC [2023] EMLR 13

Ben advises and acts for a range of clients on open justice and reporting restrictions matters, and has extensive experience appearing the criminal and family courts, coroner’s courts and the tribunals. Recent work includes acting for the Media Lawyers Association in the leading case on privacy for interim relief applications in the Employment Tribunal (Queensgate Investments v Millet [2021] ICR 637; a successful application to discharge a s.(4)(2) postponement order in R v Whatley; acting for a number of media organisations in a successful application for letters of reference written by an MP to the Crown Court Judge who sentenced her son for drugs offences; for a major news publisher in injunction proceedings in the Court of Protection; and, for the local authority in proceedings concerning British orphans in Syria ([2019] EWHC 3202 (Fam)).

Ben provides pre-publication advice to media organisations and other clients on all areas of chambers specialism. He is a contributor to Arlidge, Eady & Smith on Contempt of Court, Bullen, Jacob & Leakes’ Precedents of Pleadings (Chapters on Defamation and Malicious Falsehood, with Jane Phillips and Kate Wilson) and the upcoming edition of The Law of Privacy and the Media.

Ben is listed as a ranked junior in defamation and privacy in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

Called

2017 Called to the Bar of England and Wales

Education

University of Cambridge (Pembroke College) MA Law
University College London, LLM (Distinction)
City University, BPTC (Outstanding)
Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn

Areas of work

Data Protection and Information Law
Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
General Common Law
Harassment
Human Rights
Injunctive Relief
Intellectual Property
Pre-publication Advice
Privacy and Confidence
Reporting the Courts and Contempt

Testimonials

Chambers & Partners 2024

“He is very capable and advises confidently. He is not afraid to go into wider strategic objectives.”

“He is quick, efficient, reliable and dependable. He is a real future star.”

“Ben is very smart, easy to use, knows his area of the law well, and is persuasive to judges. He is extremely user-friendly and easy to get on with.”

Legal 500 2024

‘His attention to detail, legal knowledge and client management skills are impeccable.’

Chambers & Partners 2023

“Ben is a real asset at the junior end of chambers. He is very down to earth, responsive, drafts well and provides reliable sensible advice.”

“He’s extremely reliable, diligent and very client-friendly. Ben is a dependable junior counsel.”

“An impressive junior who is very user-friendly, works well with silks and is one for the future.”

“Ben is a good advocate and his written work is excellent.”

Legal 500 2023

Ben is extremely knowledgeable, brilliant with clients and always goes out of his way to assist his instructing solicitors and lay clients. His knowledge of media law is second to none.‘

Chambers & Partners 2022:

“His drafting skills are perfect; he is always available and is very creative with his solutions.” “He has excellent knowledge of this area.”

Legal 500 2021

‘A great barrister with helpful experience gained at the regulator, IPSO. He has an exceptional knowledge in this area of law, well-above his level of call. Ben is certainly one to watch for the future!’