Media, Privacy & Defamation

The world of media law is changing. Statutory information rights and human rights, including particularly the rights to data privacy and freedom of expression, are now the focal points for many media law disputes, eclipsing the more traditional causes of action in this area. In addition, because speech is increasingly expressed within the online environment, there is a growing focus on the complex relationships between data privacy rights, the role played by online intermediaries and the activities of a wide range of online authors. Navigating these relationships requires a strong grasp not only of domestic law but also relevant European legislation and jurisprudence. 11KBW’s pre-eminence in the fields of information rights, human rights and European law makes us the best set to tackle disputes arising in the new media law landscape.

The Directories

11KBW is described as ‘the set to beat’ (Legal 500) and ‘unrivalled’ (Chambers & Partners) for its information rights work, including in the media law field.

11KBW is also recognised as a leading civil liberties, human rights and European law set by both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

Key Cases

Key cases include:

  • Facebook Inc & Facebook Ireland v Information Commissioner (challenge to monetary penalty issued to Facebook under UK data protection legislation in connection with the Cambridge Analytica affair)
  • Various Claimants v Morrisons (first UK data breach group litigation claim to go before the courts, brought by 5,500 individuals)
  • Vidal-Hall v Google (application of data protection legislation to online tracking of browsing activities)
  • NT1/NT2 v Google (first UK case on the right to be forgotten regime)
  • Dawson-Damer v Taylor Wessing (first UK court of appeal case on the subject access regime)
  • Central London Community Healthcare Trust v Information Commissioner (first legal challenge to a monetary penalty issued by the Information Commissioner)
  • Sony v Information Commissioner (legal challenge to penalty issued by the Information Commissioner in response to the Sony Playstation hack)
  • R (Liberty) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (legality of legislation enabling the UK Government to access telecommunications data);
  • Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis v Z (Children) (police disclosures of DNA data)
  • Steinmetz v Global Witness (first UK case on application of journalistic exemption in the data protection legislation)
  • R (Catt) v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis (legality of police retention of data)

Relevant Expertise

  • information rights, including data protection, e-commerce, e-privacy and freedom of information
  • human rights, including privacy and free speech rights
  • law of confidence and copyright
  • injunctions and reporting restrictions
  • contempt proceedings
  • protection from harassment
  • Norwich Pharmacal proceedings

As well as offering the usual range of advocacy and advisory services, 11KBW offers a dedicated out of hours service to deal with urgent matters. For further information see our contacts page.

11KBW’s information rights blog Panopticon is highly acclaimed and widely read.

See also Information Law.