David is a leading barrister in the field of media and communication, specialising in privacy, confidentiality and defamation, as well as matrimonial and sports law. He is particularly well-known in the industry and the press for his extensive reputation management practice and his ground-breaking pre-publication injunction work.
Although the majority of the high-net-worth individuals, world politicians, entrepreneurs, blue-chip companies, and other influential organisations David has acted for are confidential, his representation of the following clients is a matter of public record: Diana, the late Princess of Wales; Benazhir Bhutto, Cherie and Tony Blair, Donald and Melania Trump, Chelsea Clinton, Sheikh Abdulla Al-Khalifa, Sir Paul McCartney, Michael Douglas, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Kelly Hoppen, David Walliams, Frankie Boyle, Sir Elton John and David Furnish, the Spice Girls, Paul Weller, Amy Winehouse, Harry Styles, Cheryl Cole, the Beckhams, Paul Gascoigne, Ashley Cole, Don King and Mike Tyson.
He has been responsible for a number of landmark privacy cases (such as Douglas v Hello, McKennitt v Ash, Mosley v NGN, Weller v Associated Newspapers, Gulati v MGN, ERY v Associated and PJS v NGN), anti-harassment orders and reporting or confidentiality protection in significant money divorce cases.
He is currently Lead Counsel for the victims in the multi-million-pound hacking group litigation against both News Group Newspapers and Mirror Group Newspapers and represents several hundred individual clients, having obtained record damages in the trial of eight representative claims and successfully upheld the media challenge to these awards in the Court of Appeal. He was also Lead Counsel for the victims of press intrusion at the Leveson Inquiry.
He is also acting for HRH The Duchess of Sussex in her misuse of private information, breach of data protection and infringement of copyright action against Associated Newspapers.
Called
1992 Called to the Bar of England and Wales
Education
New College, Oxford (Classics - 1st Class Honours) - 1986-1990
College of Law, London (CPE exam - Commendation) - 1990-1991
Inns of Court School of Law (Bar Finals: Very competent) - 1991-1992
Qualifications
Holkher Scholar of Gray's Inn
Areas of work
Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
Injunctive Relief
Intellectual Property
Privacy and Confidence
Testimonials
Star junior barrister who wins unanimous praise from peers for his privacy practice. He remains at the forefront of phone hacking litigation and continues to receive instructions in landmark libel and privacy cases.
“An excellent lawyer for claimants, who is calm in a crisis.” “Great with clients, sees the bigger picture and is at the top of his game.”
“He has great knowledge of the law and is also very innovative. He’s not afraid to take on a losing case and he can turn it into a winner.” “He’s simply the best privacy junior around. He knows the law inside out, having been involved in nearly every leading case.” “continues to be a leader in the privacy field and proves fantastically engaging in all he does.” Known for his “sparkling advocacy,” he has appeared in the landmark JIH v News Group Newspapers privacy cases, amongst others.
‘What he doesn’t know about defamation and privacy isn’t worth knowing.’
Legal 500, Defamation and Privacy 2018
‘A really good, solid adviser upon whom clients can rely.’
All cases
Defamation and Malicious Falsehood
Soriano v Le Point & Anor
[2022] EWHC 3370 (KB) 17/03/2023
Rebekah Vardy v Coleen Rooney
[2022] EWHC 2017 (QB) 29/07/2022
Soriano v Le Point & Anor
[2022] EWHC 1763 (QB) 08/07/2022
Vardy v Rooney
[2022] EWHC 304 (QB) 14/02/2022
Rebekah Vardy v Coleen Rooney
[2021] EWHC 1888 (QB) 07/07/2021
Depp v News Group Newspapers
[2020] EWHC 2911 (QB) 02/11/2020
Weller v Associated Newspapers Limited
[2014] EWHC 1163 (QB) 16/04/2014
Church v MGN Limited
[2012] EWHC 693 (QB); [2012] EMLR 28 28/03/2012
Modi & IMG v Clarke
[2011] EWCA Civ 937 29/07/2011
Modi v Clarke; IMG v Clarke
[2011] EWHC 1324 (QB) 24/05/2011
Fiddes v Channel Four Television Corporation & Ors (No 2) (CA)
[2010] EWCA Civ 730 29/06/2010
Hays Plc v Hartley
[2010] EWHC 1068 (QB) 17/05/2010
Dee v Telegraph Media Group Ltd (No 2)
[2010] EWHC 924 (QB); [2010] EMLR 20 28/04/2010
Bowman v MGN Ltd
[2010] EWHC 895 (QB) 26/04/2010
Fiddes v Channel 4 Television Corporation & Ors (CA)
[2010] EWCA Civ 516 24/03/2010
Winslet v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2009] EWHC 2735 (QB); [2010] EMLR 11 03/11/2009
Desmond v Bower (CA)
[2009] EWCA Civ 667 07/07/2009
Johnson v MGN Ltd
[2009] EWHC 1481 (QB) 24/06/2009
Haji-Ioannou v (1) Dixon (2) Regus Group PLC (3) Regan
[2009] EWHC 178 (QB) 06/02/2009
Angel v Stainton & Another
[2006] EWHC 637 (QB) 28/03/2006
Lowe v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2006] EWHC 320 (QB); [2007] 2 WLR 595; [2006] 3 All ER 357; [2006] EMLR 476; The Times, 29 March 2006 28/02/2006
Moss v Channel Five Broadcasting Ltd
03/02/2006 03/02/2006
McKeith v News Group Newspapers Ltd
[2005] EWHC 1162 (QB); [2005] EMLR 780 14/06/2005
Collins Stewart Limited & Another v The Financial Times Ltd (No 2)
[2005] EWHC 262 (QB); [2006] EMLR 100 25/02/2005
Richardson v Schwarzenegger & Others
[2004] EWHC 2422 (QB) 29/10/2004
Collins Stewart Ltd & Another v The Financial Times Ltd
[2004] EWHC 2337 (QB); [2005] EMLR 64 20/10/2004
Maccaba v Lichtenstein (No 2 – mode of trial)
02/04/2004 02/04/2004
Phillipps v Associated Newspapers Ltd & Another
[2004] EWHC 190 (QB); [2004] 1 WLR 2106; [2004] 2 All ER 455; [2004] EMLR 218 10/02/2004
King v Lewis
[2004] EWHC 168 (QB) 06/02/2004
Oduro v Time Life
[2003] EWHC 1787 (QB) 30/07/2003
Abu v MGN Ltd
[2002] EWHC 2345 (QB); [2003] 1 WLR 2201; [2003] 2 All ER 864; [2003] EMLR 21 07/11/2002
Cook & Carlton Communications Ltd v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No.2)
[2002] EWHC 1070 (QB) 21/05/2002
Elite Model Agency v BBC
24/05/2001 24/05/2001
Basham v Gregory (No.2)
[1998] EWCA Civ 1137 02/07/1998
Basham v Gregory
21/02/1996 21/02/1996
McDonalds Corp v Steel and Morris
[1995] 3 All ER 615 25/03/1994
Privacy and Confidence
Various Claimants v NGN (TPI)
[2024] EWHC 902 (Ch) 22/04/2024
Baroness Lawrence & Ors v Associated Newspapers Ltd
[2023] EWHC 2789 (KB) 10/11/2023
DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly
[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019
ERY v Associated Newspapers Limited
[2016] EWHC 2760 (QB) 04/11/2016
PJS v News Group Newspapers Ltd (SC)
[2016] UKSC 26 19/05/2016
Weller v Associated Newspapers Limited
[2014] EWHC 1163 (QB) 16/04/2014
RocknRoll v News Group Newspapers Ltd
[2013] EWHC 24 (Ch) 17/01/2013
Mosley v UK
Application no. 48009/08; [2012] EMLR 1 10/05/2011
JIH v News Group Newspapers Ltd (CA)
[2011] EWCA Civ 42 31/01/2011
JIH v News Group Newspapers (No 2)
[2010] EWHC 2979 (QB) 18/11/2010
Donald v Ntuli
[2010] EWCA Civ 1276 16/11/2010
Imerman v Imerman
[2009] EWHC 3486 (Fam) 11/12/2009
White v Withers LLP & Ors (CA)
[2009] EWCA Civ 1122 27/10/2009
White v Withers LLP & Dearle
[2008] EWHC 2821 19/11/2008
Mosley v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No 3)
[2008] EWHC 1777 (QB); [2008] EMLR 20; The Times, 30 July 2008 24/07/2008
Mosley v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No 2)
[2008] EWHC 2341 01/07/2008
Mosley v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No 1)
[2008] EWHC 687 (QB) 09/04/2008
L v L and H (a firm)
[2007] EWHC 140 (QB); [2007] 2 FLR 171 01/02/2007
McKennitt v Ash (CA)
[2006] EWCA Civ 1714; [2008] QB 73; [2007] 3 WLR 194; [2007] EMLR 113; The Times, 20 December 2006 14/12/2006
McKennitt v Ash (QBD)
[2005] EWHC 3003 (QB); [2006] EMLR 178 21/12/2005
A v B, C & D
[2005] EWHC 1651 (QB); [2005] EMLR 851; [2005] 28(8) IPD 28060 13/07/2005
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No 8) (CA)
[2005] EWCA Civ 595; [2006] QB 125; [2005] 3 WLR 881; [2005] EMLR 609; The Times 24 May 2005; The Times 26 May 2005 18/05/2005
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.6)
[2003] EWHC 2629 (Ch); [2004] EMLR 13 07/11/2003
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.5)
[2003] EWHC 786 (Ch); [2003] 3 All ER 996; [2003] EMLR 641 11/04/2003
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.4)
[2003] EWCA Civ 332; [2003] EMLR 633 03/03/2003
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.2)
[2003] EWCA Civ 139; [2003] EMLR 585 12/02/2003
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.3)
[2003] EWHC 55 (Ch); [2003] EMLR 601 27/01/2003
Douglas v Hello! Ltd
[2001] QB 967; [2001] 2 WLR 992; [2001] 2 All ER 289; [2001] EMLR 199; [2001] FSR 732 21/12/2000
Harassment
DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly
[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019
(1) Ting Lan Hong (2) Child KLM v XYZ & Ors
[2011] EWHC 2995 (QB) 18/11/2011
Reporting the Courts and Contempt
R v R & Anor
[2017] EWCA Civ 1588 17/10/2017
Church v MGN Limited
[2012] EWHC 693 (QB); [2012] EMLR 28 28/03/2012
Injunctive Relief
DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly
[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019
PJS v News Group Newspapers Ltd (SC)
[2016] UKSC 26 19/05/2016
RocknRoll v News Group Newspapers Ltd
[2013] EWHC 24 (Ch) 17/01/2013
(1) Ting Lan Hong (2) Child KLM v XYZ & Ors
[2011] EWHC 2995 (QB) 18/11/2011
Mosley v UK
Application no. 48009/08; [2012] EMLR 1 10/05/2011
JIH v News Group Newspapers Ltd (CA)
[2011] EWCA Civ 42 31/01/2011
JIH v News Group Newspapers (No 2)
[2010] EWHC 2979 (QB) 18/11/2010
Donald v Ntuli
[2010] EWCA Civ 1276 16/11/2010
Mosley v News Group Newspapers Ltd (No 1)
[2008] EWHC 687 (QB) 09/04/2008
A v B, C & D
[2005] EWHC 1651 (QB); [2005] EMLR 851; [2005] 28(8) IPD 28060 13/07/2005
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No 8) (CA)
[2005] EWCA Civ 595; [2006] QB 125; [2005] 3 WLR 881; [2005] EMLR 609; The Times 24 May 2005; The Times 26 May 2005 18/05/2005
Douglas v Hello! Ltd
[2001] QB 967; [2001] 2 WLR 992; [2001] 2 All ER 289; [2001] EMLR 199; [2001] FSR 732 21/12/2000
Data Protection and Information Law
Soriano v Le Point & Anor
[2022] EWHC 3370 (KB) 17/03/2023
Weller v Associated Newspapers Limited
[2014] EWHC 1163 (QB) 16/04/2014
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No 8) (CA)
[2005] EWCA Civ 595; [2006] QB 125; [2005] 3 WLR 881; [2005] EMLR 609; The Times 24 May 2005; The Times 26 May 2005 18/05/2005
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.6)
[2003] EWHC 2629 (Ch); [2004] EMLR 13 07/11/2003
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.5)
[2003] EWHC 786 (Ch); [2003] 3 All ER 996; [2003] EMLR 641 11/04/2003
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.4)
[2003] EWCA Civ 332; [2003] EMLR 633 03/03/2003
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.2)
[2003] EWCA Civ 139; [2003] EMLR 585 12/02/2003
Douglas v Hello! Ltd (No.3)
[2003] EWHC 55 (Ch); [2003] EMLR 601 27/01/2003
Douglas v Hello! Ltd
[2001] QB 967; [2001] 2 WLR 992; [2001] 2 All ER 289; [2001] EMLR 199; [2001] FSR 732 21/12/2000
General Common Law
DSM SFG Group Holdings Limited v Kelly
[2019] EWCA Civ 2256 19/12/2019
Imerman v Imerman
[2009] EWHC 3486 (Fam) 11/12/2009
White v Withers LLP & Ors (CA)
[2009] EWCA Civ 1122 27/10/2009
Articles
Recent Developments in Defamation
By David Sherborne. 15 Sep 2004
Publications
The Law of Privacy and the Media
Oxford University Press
By David Sherborne. 17 Oct 2002
In 5RB News
17 Oct 2024
5RB in Chambers & Partners 2025
9 Feb 2024
Indemnity costs after Mirror hacking trial
21 Dec 2023
David Sherborne named The Times Lawyer of the Week
15 Dec 2023
Judgment in Mirror phone hacking trial
5 Dec 2023
Statements in Open Court in Mobile Telephone Interception Litigation
21 Nov 2023
Consequentials hearing in Lawrence & Ors v Associated
10 Nov 2023
Lawrence & Ors v Associated privacy claims can go to trial
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
5 Jul 2023
Applications in Duke of Sussex v NGN
9 May 2023
Phone hacking trial to begin
27 Mar 2023
Lawrence & Ors v Associated: four-day hearing begins
3 Jan 2023
5RB cases dominate Spear’s reputation cases roundup 2022
18 Nov 2022
5RB success at the Chambers UK Bar Awards 2022
7 Oct 2022
5RB named top set by The Legal 500
Directory rankings also released
4 Oct 2022
Rebekah Vardy ordered to pay indemnity costs
Costs of up to £1.5m ordered with an interim payment of £800,000
29 Jul 2022
Coleen Rooney succeeds in truth defence in Vardy v Rooney
Steyn J finds that Rebekah Vardy leaked posts from private Instagram account
8 Feb 2022
Vardy v Rooney Hearing
7 Jul 2021
Rebekah Vardy’s summary judgment application fails
18 Jun 2021
Hearing in Rebekah Vardy v Coleen Rooney
25 Mar 2021
Johnny Depp loses appeal bid
21 Nov 2020
Meaning of Coleen Rooney’s social media posts determined in Vardy v Rooney libel case
The meaning of Instagram and Twitter posts by Coleen Rooney decided by High Court
2 Nov 2020
Johnny Depp loses “wife beater” libel claim
6 Aug 2020
Court rules in favour of Duchess
Five friends’ names remain private
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
26 Feb 2020
Pre-trial review today in Johnny Depp libel action against The Sun
Actor Johnny Depp's libel action against News Group Newspapers in court today for pre-trial review
23 Feb 2018
Supreme Court refuses permission in anonymity case
Russian oligarch can now be named
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
17 Nov 2016
29 phone hacking claims settle
Statements in open court read in claims against Mirror Group Newspapers
4 Nov 2016
High Court grants interim injunction
Criminal investigation and interview engage Claimant's Article 8 rights
19 May 2016
Supreme Court upholds PJS injunction
Appeal allowed, injunction continued until trial
29 Apr 2016
Sun phone-hacking claims to proceed
High Court allows amendments to include The Sun
30 Mar 2016
Supreme Court refuses permission in two media cases
Mirror phone-hacking damages case and Weller will not be heard by the SC
17 Dec 2015
Mirror phone-hacking damages appeal dismissed
Damages awards totalling £1.2m stand
20 Nov 2015
Wellers win MailOnline photos appeal
Appeal against judgment in favour of Paul Weller's children dismissed
30 Oct 2015
Court of Appeal hearing in ANL v Weller
Appeal in relation to photos of Paul Weller's children heard
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
9 May 2014
Russell Brand accepts libel damages and apology
Settlement with Sun on Sunday over cheating claims
16 Apr 2014
Paul Weller succeeds in High Court privacy claim
High Court grants children damages for misuse of private information
31 Mar 2014
High Court hears Weller privacy trial
Privacy claim brought by musician’s children in respect of MailOnline photographs
22 Oct 2012
Jury awards libel damages to Frankie Boyle
Mirror Group Newspapers found liable in relation to “racist comedian” allegation.
21 May 2012
Leveson Inquiry
Availability of 5RB counsel
20 Jan 2012
Leveson challenge dismissed
Administrative Court upholds anonymous evidence decision
10 Nov 2011
Leveson Inquiry Starts
Inquiry into press ethics: opening submissions
28 Oct 2011
5RB tops Chambers and Partners 2012
Adam Wolanski wins Defamation and Privacy Junior Barrister of the Year
27 Sep 2011
Mosley refused ECHR Grand Chamber
Prior notification crusade concludes
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
10 May 2011
ECHR rejects Mosley privacy application
Pre-notification of privacy subjects unnecessary, Strasbourg court rules
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
31 Jan 2011
‘JIH’ wins privacy appeal
Anonymity granted to privacy claimant until trial
5 Nov 2010
5RB tops directory ranking
Chambers & Partners 2011 edition praises set
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
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
3 Nov 2009
Kate Winslet wins libel apology ruling
Statements in Open Court available under offer of amends regime
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
31 Oct 2008
Speedy trial for Sienna Miller
Trial of actress' harassment and privacy claim against Big Pictures to be expedited
30 Sep 2008
Sienna Miller wins photo damages
Actress succeeds in privacy action against the Daily Star
27 Aug 2008
Sir Salman Rushdie slurs declared false
Former protection officer apologises for allegations about author in book
24 Jul 2008
Max Mosley awarded £60,000
FIA President wins record privacy damages against News Group
14 Jul 2008
Max Mosley privacy trial concludes
5RB's James Price QC and Mark Warby QC deliver closing speeches
1 Jul 2008
Mosley damages claim survives
Attempt to strike out claim for exemplary damages in privacy action fails
9 Apr 2008
Mosley refused ‘orgy’ injunction
'No point' in preventing News of the World showing video on website, rules Eady J
18 Jan 2008
Sienna Miller wins privacy action
Actress granted default judgment and injunction against photographer
15 Dec 2007
Kidman wins libel damages
Actress settles claim over perfume allegations
23 Nov 2007
Blairs win privacy payout
Daily Mail pays damages to charity for long-lens holiday photographs
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
29 Mar 2007
WPP libel and privacy case settles
Sir Martin Sorrell accepts £120,000 in damages
14 Mar 2007
WPP libel and privacy trial begins
Sir Martin Sorrell claims former WPP consultant responsible for blog and email
14 Dec 2006
New blow for kiss and tell?
McKennitt v Ash: Court of Appeal hands down judgment in major privacy case
21 Nov 2006
Privacy case in the Court of Appeal
McKennitt v Ash appeal begins today
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
3 Feb 2006
Further cocaine allegation allowed in Moss libel case
Supermodel must answer drug claims in action against Five
26 Oct 2005
£250,000 damages for Rupert Lowe
Southampton FC Chairman wins libel case against The Times
24 Oct 2005
Chambers’ Review: 5RB top again
20 barristers recommended for Media, Entertainment, Defamation, Privacy, Intellectual Property & Sports Law
21 Sep 2005
5RB tops annual Legal 500 Review
17 barristers named as leaders in their field
13 Dec 2004
Douglas v Hello! in the CA
Appeals being heard this week
5 Nov 2004
5RB top in Chambers & Partners Review
Seventeen 5RB members ranked
29 Oct 2004
Schwarzenegger faces libel claim
High Court rules that case can proceed in London
20 Oct 2004
Collins Stewart damages claim trimmed
High Court strikes out part of special damages claim against FT
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
7 Sep 2004
McLibel pair in new appeal bid
New ECHR challenge to denial of legal aid
25 Jun 2004
Maccaba loses ‘Indecent Proposal’ Case
Longest-running slander claim ends in defeat
3 Feb 2004
Douglas v Hello!
Judgment available
3 Nov 2003
Royal Controversy
5RB Instructed
8 Apr 2003
Douglas v Hello!
Judgment In!
Contact
Email: clerks@5rb.com
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