Data Protection

30.06.21

Adham Harker joins Brett Wilson LLP’s Media and Communications Law team

Adham Harker has joined Brett Wilson LLP’s Media and Communications Law team. Adham has advised and acted in a range of media, IP and commercial disputes from pre-action to trial, with extensive experience of Business & Property Court litigation. For Adham’s full biography, please click here.

9.06.21

Number of defamation claims issued falls by over 50%

Annual data published on 3 June 2021 shows that defamation claims issued in 2020 in the Royal Courts of Justice (where the vast majority of defamation claims are issued) have fallen from 323 in 2019 to just 152 in 2020. The statistics show a continuing trend of claims being brought against non-media defendants (e.g. bloggers…

8.01.21

Bad data in risk management databases

The inception of the General Data Protection Regulation (‘GDPR’) in May 2018 has made it easier for individuals within the UK and the EU (and sometimes those based elsewhere) to assert their data protection rights to object to the inclusion of false or outdated information about them in risk/compliance databases. In most jurisdictions, businesses operating…

27.11.20

Tutors awarded £30,000 in libel damages after Facebook slur

In Antony & anr v Sivakumar, Richard Spearman QC, sitting as a deputy judge of the High Court, delivered an ex tempore judgment in which he ordered the defendant to pay both claimants £15,000 in damages. The Defendant had published a pseudonymous Facebook ‘review’ on the Claimants’ business page which made a false allegation of…

23.11.20

Brett Wilson LLP’s offices open for face-to-face consultations

Brett Wilson LLP’s London offices have reopened for face-to-face consultations.  Clients who would prefer to have a Skype, Teams or telephone consultation continue to have this option. The safety of clients and staff is of paramount importance.  The firm has a rigorous Covid-19 protocol, approved by the British Safety Council.  All staff and visitors are…

22.10.20

Brett Wilson LLP and its lawyers recommended in Chambers and Partners 2021 directory

Brett Wilson LLP’s Defamation/Reputation Management and Criminal Defence teams have again been recommended by the prestigious Chambers and Partners directory. Partners Iain Wilson (noted for being an ‘astute and bold lawyer who is not afraid to take on any sort of challenge in media and civil litigation. He has an impressive creative and courageous edge…

Cameras in court: should we be doing more to facilitate open justice in the civil system?

Media lawyers will have experienced, or at least be aware of, an anonymised claimant having been stripped of their anonymity by a court.  MLA became Rhodes, PNM became Khuja and JMO and KTA became Khan and Khan etc.  In each case, the court decided in favour of the overarching principle of open justice. The principles…

1.10.20

Brett Wilson LLP’s departments and lawyers recognised by Legal 500

Brett Wilson LLP has been recommended in three categories in the prestigious Legal 500 directory of leading law firms:- Reputation Management Professional Discipline Crime (General) Media and communications law partners Iain Wilson (noted for his ‘sharp intellect and an absolute commitment to the client’s cause’) and Max Campbell (‘a rising star… with a deep knowledge…

29.09.20

Shaming covidiots on social media: fair game?

There aren’t many of us who enjoy wearing facemasks, however most of us are law-abiding and/or want to do our bit to try and protect others and stem the pandemic.  Whilst the number of those refusing to wear facemasks on public transport or in shops is decreasing, there remains a hardcore of able-bodied individuals who…

23.07.20

How legal crowdfunding can help you bring/defend a case

We are all familiar with the concept of crowdfunding, whether in the context of supporting a new business venture or contributing to a worthy cause.  Crowdfunding is now becoming an established method of funding a legal case – whether it is the pursuit of a claim or the defence of criminal proceedings. In the legal…