Defamation and Reputation Management
An unhappy customer or employee, a story in the media, an operational error… all kinds of seemingly minor issues can rapidly turn into a serious threat to your reputation. No organisation can afford to be complacent.

Successfully dealing with a significant reputational threat requires several things.

Immediate action. Because we offer 24-hour, year-round support, we can act while the window of opportunity is open. For example, negotiating with the media, or seeking emergency interdicts or injunctions.

A clear strategy. Our defamation and reputation management experts will provide strategic, Board-level advice.

A big-picture, collaborative approach. Our lawyers can advise throughout the entire process, and often work closely with PR agencies and in-house communication teams to resolve issues quickly and effectively.

Specific expertise. Our firm includes specialists in health & safety, company and regulatory law, product liability, professional negligence, and insolvency. Whatever the specifics of your issue, we can provide prompt, efficient and expert support.

As always, the best way to solve a problem is to prevent it from happening. We can reduce the risk of these situations occurring, for example by conducting internal investigations and reviews.

Our expertise includes:

Crisis management
Reputational risk mitigation
Defamation and malicious falsehood
Privacy and harassment
Misuse of confidential information
Protection of rights and reputation online
Comparative advertising, passing off and trade libel
Complaints to the Office of Communications (Ofcom) and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
IP portfolio management and enforcement
Brand protection
Securing third party funding to support claims

Meet our key contacts

John MacKenzie

Partner and Head of Commercial Disputes

Meet our full team

Carly Duckett

Associate

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Leonore Dupont

Director

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Christopher Garden

Director

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Gabriella Gilmour

Senior Solicitor

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Ruairidh Leishman

Senior Associate

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John MacKenzie

Partner and Head of Commercial Disputes

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Matt Phillip

Partner

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Philip Sewell

Partner

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Related articles and insights: Defamation and Reputation Management

23 March 2026

A SLAPP on the wrist for Arka Wealth as High Court rejects defamation claim

Contributors:
John MacKenzie, Ruairidh Leishman

Kamal v Tax Policy Associates marks the first judicial application of the UK’s anti-SLAPP regime, with the High Court rejecting a defamation claim arising from public-interest reporting on alleged tax avoidance. The decision highlights the importance of protecting public-interest journalism and comes amid calls to expand the regime further.

22 January 2026

Brand Beckham and wealthy family disputes

Contributors:
Carly Duckett, Stephanie Hepburn

Brooklyn Beckham's Instagram stories in January 2026 were the talk of WhatsApp group chats and the subject of several newspaper headlines. Here we unpack the full statement and explain the various legal issues it presents for the Beckham family.

25 April 2025

Inaccurate personal data – what approach do the courts take and how do the principles of defamation law help?

Contributor: Ruairidh Leishman

In Pacini v Dow Jones & Co Inc, the court applied principles from defamation law to a data protection claim, to determine the meaning of allegedly incorrect personal data contained within two news articles. The case was the first to consider the single meaning of a statement as a preliminary issue in a claim solely based on data protection and the alleged inaccuracy of personal data.

16 February 2024

Freedom of expression: Real Madrid’s first defeat in Europe this season?

Contributor: Euan Small

Euan Small summarises the Opinion of First Advocate General Szpunar in relation to whether an order to pay damages the amount of which is manifestly unreasonable has a deterrent effect that affects both journalistic freedom and freedom of information and may constitute a ground for refusal of enforcement.

2 November 2023

Easy Life v easyGroup trademark dispute

Contributor: John MacKenzie

easyGroup brought legal proceedings against band Easy Life over what they perceive to be an infringement on their intellectual property.

19 April 2023

The power of publicity and the Wagatha Christie trade mark

Contributor: Carly Duckett

As a company reportedly associated with Rebekah Vardy trademarks the phrase 'Wagatha Christie', Carly Duckett reminds us that you don’t need to be the first person to use a particular name or phrase to successfully register a trade mark.

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