With websites and social media instantly relaying rumours to millions, it’s vital to guard your reputation online. We regularly advise as to the right to be forgotten, removing digital footprints from Google and unmasking anonymous bloggers.

Through working for, as well as against, the media we have a deep understanding of how the industry operates. We can engage with journalists, editors and their lawyers to deter them from making false allegations.

Find out more

Of course, newspapers and websites publish late at night and over the weekend. We are available out of hours to act immediately if your reputation is under attack.

Preventing damage is our primary objective. But at times it’s necessary to take action to remedy unfair coverage. We are recognised by independent researchers as experts in privacy and defamation and have won numerous actions against publishers and broadcasters.

We achieve success through strategy and pressure, while recognising your need to remedy harm efficiently and cost-effectively.

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With websites and social media instantly relaying rumours to millions, it’s vital to guard your reputation online. We regularly advise as to the right to be forgotten, removing digital footprints from Google and unmasking anonymous bloggers.

Through working for, as well as against, the media we have a deep understanding of how the industry operates. We can engage with journalists, editors and their lawyers to deter them from making false allegations.

Find out more

Of course, newspapers and websites publish late at night and over the weekend. We are available out of hours to act immediately if your reputation is under attack.

Preventing damage is our primary objective. But at times it’s necessary to take action to remedy unfair coverage. We are recognised by independent researchers as experts in privacy and defamation and have won numerous actions against publishers and broadcasters.

We achieve success through strategy and pressure, while recognising your need to remedy harm efficiently and cost-effectively.

View less

Case Study

Channel 5 makes public apology to our clients

A joint statement in open court was read on 19 April 2021 before Mrs Justice Collins Rice after Keith Wain and Julie Kelly, both private individuals, accepted an offer of settlement in relation to the misuse of their private information …

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Case Study

Landmark win in the High Court against Channel 5 for invasion of privacy on the TV show ‘Can’t Pay We’ll Take It Away’

Our media team won a landmark case for a husband and wife against Channel 5 for the TV programme Can’t Pay We’ll Take It Away, which went to a full Trial in the High Court in February 2018. The couple …

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Recommendations

“A top-quality team, among the best of claimant firms. Knowledgeable in their field, but made the service I received person-centred and easy to follow. Highly efficient and effective in delivering results.”

Legal 500 2023

“The whole team’s depth of knowledge and understanding was amazing.”

Chambers 2023

“Most lawyers get a bad rep. But I have to say Christopher Hutchings, Daniel Shaw, Jim Turner and Robyn Stapelberg at Hamlins are not most lawyers. They’ve been absolutely incredible from the beginning to the end of this journey with me. They worked and fought so hard on my behalf, but also showed real care and were a genuine source of emotional support throughout. Really great guys who I now consider friends.”

Patrick Brannan, better known as Donny Tourette, singer songwriter and member of punk rock band, Towers of London

‘Callum Galbraith, Christopher Hutchings and Andrew Stephenson are extremely impressive libel lawyers and provided me with first class advice and guidance throughout my claim against Associated Newspapers Limited. Their warmth and empathy at a difficult time for me was greatly appreciated.’

Lord Sheikh

“I’d like to thank the team at Hamlins for handling my case so well.   I give particular thanks to Jayne Squire and Robyn Stapelberg who so wonderfully nurtured me through the whole process.  They were attentive and kept me updated, promptly responded to my queries and as a result of their diligence and expertise succeeded in obtaining an outcome that I am delighted with. It was always a pleasure dealing with them.”

Nancy Phillips, previously Director of the Spice Girls companies and Manager to Melanie Chisholm

‘They are friendly and made what could usually have been an unpleasant situation much more bearable. They put my mind at rest, and explained everything every step of the way. They were always there for me, and made me feel safe and supported the whole way through. They felt like an extended family. I also felt like they listened, and when I had to make a decision, they told me all the facts and although advised me, let me make my own decision. I didn’t feel pressured to make any choices that I wasn’t comfortable with. All in all, they were exactly the right mixture of friendly and professional, and did an amazing job for me.’

Legal 500 2021 Testimonial - Reputation Management (ranked: Tier 3)

‘Each individual that I dealt with was friendly and approachable. I never felt talked down to, by anyone. If I didn’t understand something, they would explain it simply without making me feel like a fool. I have a particularly good relationship with Callum Galbraith, and he has taken me through a successful case, and he was always available to explain what was going on.’

Legal 500 2021 Testimonial - Reputation Management (ranked: Tier 3)

‘The partners at the practice work effectively as a team and are always courteous to the client. The service they provide is first class and they are always prompt in sending out correspondence and returning phone calls. My claim against a major newspaper group was successful and I attribute this to the expertise and action of Hamlins.’

Legal 500 2021 Testimonial - Reputation Management (ranked: Tier 3)

‘The team is reliable, responsive and helpful. They strive to find a way to make things work. Simon Gallant is by far the best defamation lawyer I have dealt with. He is practical and helpful and understands how newspapers work. He always seeks to make a story possible.’

Legal 500 2021 Testimonial - Reputation Management (ranked: Tier 3)

‘The attitude of the partners and staff at the practice is always extremely friendly and they go to great lengths to provide proper guidance which includes the pro and cons of the issue. They inspire confidence by their expertise and attitude.’

Legal 500 2021 Testimonial - Reputation Management (ranked: Tier 3)

One client reports: ‘My experience was first rate. Every member of the team was extremely efficient, thorough and professional. They undertook everything in a timely way and were clear in their communications. They were incredibly thorough and worked extremely hard.’

Chambers and Partners 2021 - Defamation/Reputation Management (ranked: Band 4)

‘Alex conducted my case with considerable skill to a very successful outcome.  I would like to thank him and the wider Hamlins team for the expertise and professionalism they have shown throughout.’

Kenny Logan (retired Scottish rugby union player), 2020

‘I’m so grateful to Hamlins – to Chris, Alex and Isabelle in particular – for all the hard work you have put in for a successful conclusion to my claim.  I have been impressed by your professionalism, courtesy and the care shown to me throughout the duration of my claim.  I have no hesitation in recommending Hamlins to anybody in similar circumstances.’

Freelance Investigative Journalist, 2019

‘I deal with many law firms including all the magic circle firms and I have to say that I believe you have handled this matter both effectively and in a very professional manner. I am very impressed and many thanks.’

Keith Edelman, Businessman and former Managing Director of Arsenal Football Club, 2019

‘Powerful litigation practice at the forefront of much of the activity concerning the phone hacking prosecutions.’

Chambers and Partners 2018 - Defamation

Hamlins LLP is ‘a key firm in the phone-hacking litigation’, where it acts for various claimants against News Group Newspapers. The work is led by department head Christopher Hutchings, who is ‘excellent at client care’.

Legal 500 2017- Reputation Management

‘The whole team is well co-ordinated and briefed; they have always been clear and concise in their briefing, expected outcomes and future timings.’

Chambers and Partners 2018 - Defamation

‘Hamlins have represented me on 2 separate occasions and I would highly recommend them to anyone in my position! Not only did I get fantastic results but I felt very comfortable with everything along the way! Great friendly professional people who are simply the best at what they do!’

Confidential client

‘Simon Gallant has an established defamation, privacy and reputation management practice, acting for defendants and claimants. A client says: “He had a phenomenal grasp of the case and was incredibly professional in terms of getting back to us providing updates and assurances; the overall package of advice provided was outstanding”.’

Chambers and Partners 2018 - Defamation

‘Christopher Hutchings is an established defamation and privacy specialist noted for his expertise on phone hacking claims. Clients say: “He is very conscientious and careful as well as knowledgeable and experienced.”.’

Chambers and Partners 2018 - Defamation

‘Andrew Stephenson offers clients the benefit of his deep knowledge of defamation and privacy matters. He comes particularly recommended for his representation of public figures, politicians and high net worth individuals on cases which often have an international aspect to them.’

Chambers and Partners 2018 - Defamation

‘The team at Hamlins could not have handled my claim any better. At every stage I felt supported and informed and the result went far beyond my expectations. I could not recommend them enough.’

Confidential client, 2019

Our Experience

    • Acting as lead Solicitor for Claimants in the phone-hacking litigation against The Sun and the News of the World, now representing over 90 phone-hacking victims bringing claims against the News of the World and The Sun for unlawful information gathering and voicemail interception. For more information see our phone hacking section.
    • Winning a landmark privacy case for a husband and wife against Channel 5 for the TV programme Can’t Pay We’ll Take It Away, which went to a full Trial in the High Court.
    • Representing Hope not Hate, the advocacy group against racism and fascism on a libel case against former UKIP leader Nigel Farage.
    • Representing Ziauddin Yousafzai, father of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai who was defamed by an Asian service broadcaster.
    • Successfully representing businessman Vladimir Sloutsker in a claim against Russian blogger, Olga Romanova winning over £100,000 in damages and obtaining a permanent injunction.
    • Advising the Jewish Chronicle on their weekly pre-publication libel reading of the newspaper and defending libel complaints made against them.
    • Acting on behalf of the CEO of a Premier League football team when the press threatened to publish damaging stories about their business. Our team took immediate steps preventing publication of any damaging allegations.
    • Advising an international pharmaceutical client and action against a National newspaper. Hamlins successfully prevented the newspaper from publishing a story alleging their involvement in the abuse of animals for product manufacture.
    • Advising the General Counsel at PetroSaudi, who is seeking to deter publication on a website published from the UK which contains a range of highly defamatory and personally sensitive data.
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