Recognised by Chambers and Partners as “set of the year” in media, privacy and information law in November 2023, Doughty Street boasts subject-matter specialists at all levels of seniority.

Its breadth and depth of domestic and international experience makes it uniquely placed in the market. Its members are equally comfortable handling complex disputes of fact as well as arguing novel points of law, having acted in many of the recent media law cases before the Supreme Court, including Cape Intermediate Holdings v Dring (open justice/access to documents), Lachaux v Independent Print Ltd (the first case on ‘serious harm’ under s1(1) of the Defamation Act 2013), Serafin v Malkiewicz (the first case on the public interest defence under s4 of that Act),  Stocker v Stocker (adapting established defamation principles to communication on social media) and George v Cannell; in boundary-testing litigation before the Court of Justice of the European Union (Google v CNIL); and in pioneering open justice cases at every level. Doughty Street is also the home of the market-leading ‘international media defence panel’, which was awarded ‘international team of the year’ at the LexisNexis Legal Awards 2020.

Doughty Street is ranked as a leading set in defamation and privacy in leading market directories Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500. Members are expert in arguing all aspects of media and information law, including defamation and malicious falsehood, privacy, data protection, access to court documents, freedom of information, harassment and contempt of court. Clients include: national and international print, broadcast, and social media organisations; publishing houses; investigative journalists; blue-chip companies and high net-worth individuals; not-for-profit organisations; and individuals and others in need of assistance to promote or defend their rights.

Doughty Street offers a one-stop shop for clients whose cases straddle media and other areas of law. Its members have expertise in areas that commonly overlap with media law, such as employment, crime, protest and police law, and public law. In addition, Doughty Street has unparalleled expertise in international media and human rights law. Its members are uniquely well-placed to advise on broader human rights and free speech issues. Members write and contribute to leading publications in the field of media and information law: examples include Duncan and Neill on Defamation, Robertson and Nicol on Media Law, and Arlidge, Eady and Smith on Contempt.

Members offer the full spectrum of legal services to clients. They have expertise in providing pre-publication legal and regulatory advice to broadcasters and publishers, as well as a wealth of litigation experience before a range of courts and tribunals. Doughty Street’s experienced and efficient clerking team has a deep understanding of the needs of media litigants: members can be instructed on an urgent basis and on a direct access basis where appropriate and necessary.

What the directories say

Chambers and Partners 2023 - Band 2

Described as "a brilliant chambers who can tackle complex and sophisticated matters."

"Melvin Warner, practice manager, in particular is very responsive and helpful."

Legal 500 2023 - Tier 3

"Doughty Street are beginning to develop a reputation as a ‘player’ in the media litigation field and are also developing their civil practice generally."

"Doughty Street has a first rate team. It has increasing strength in depth."