Defamation & Reputation Management

"The team is very experienced in representing HNW individuals in reputation management matters as part of the strong international private wealth offering of the firm as a whole. They also act for campaigning organisations. The team’s key capability is their expertise in ‘under the radar’ representation, with the meaning that often their work is not public, which is consistent with the clients’ objectives."

Legal 500 2023

"The team is very knowledgeable of the charity sector and fully aware of its needs and challenges. Their advice always takes these into consideration, and especially addresses the reputational issues which the charity may face in contentious matters."

Legal 500 2023

"Highly knowledgeable and proactive with the skill base to deal with complex issues. The individuals combine effectively and are attuned to all relevant issues in advance."

Legal 500 2023

Seamless reputation management advice

The Defamation team, led by Partner Jayne Clemens, is known for advising clients with utmost sensitivity and discretion working alongside senior directors and leaders to swiftly deal with matters. We often continue to work seamlessly with in-house communications teams and external public relations agencies to minimise and further reputational harm.

Defamation and reputation advice for businesses

We act on high profile, complex matters and legal disputes, which are often sensitive in nature. We represent large national and international businesses, landed estates, larger organisations such as international charities, NHS trusts, universities and multi-academy trusts and publishers.

We have extensive experience advising on all areas of reputation management, including defamation, breach of copyright, procurement challenges, misuse of confidential information, data protection breaches, privacy issues, harassment and pre-publication issues.

We act swiftly to remove defamatory content and/or private information from social media platforms, web pages and across the wider international and national media (online and hard copy). Where necessary, we work with our clients to swiftly bring claims in the High Court.

We advise on injunctive relief for misuse of confidential information and breach of restrictive covenants. We also assist to manage press during high court litigation.

Our client relationships are such that we are often seen as an extension of our client teams such that we are the first port of call when a problem arises. We work hard to ensure that we know our clients’ business and understand the impact of any given issue.

Recent experience

Assisting a very large business to counteract a sustained attack across media including trade press

Advising an international high net worth individual on managing press during lengthy and high profile high court litigation

Advising a large business on the removal of material from social media including Meta and TikTok

Assisting ultra-high net worth individuals in the technology sector to manage their private reputation and limit any adverse impact on their business matters

Defending a very large high profile international charity to defend alleged defamatory statements made to raise the profile of its work both in respect of international and national claims

Assisting a large national public organisation to manage all reputational matters and press issues

Assisting landed estates to deal with adverse press and social media posts due to the sale of land/planning matters

Advising a large NHS Trust on an urgent procurement challenge and the reputational fall out including defamatory press statements and adverse publications on social media

Advising a large multi-academy trust on a large data breach

KEY CONTACTS
Jayne Clemens
Jayne Clemens
Partner
TEAM
Peter Sigler
Peter Sigler
Partner
Charlotte Bolton
Charlotte Bolton
Senior Associate
Daniel Lampard
Daniel Lampard
Associate
Abigail Brown
Abigail Brown
Associate
Sophie Hay
Sophie Hay
Solicitor