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In an online world your reputation and privacy are increasingly at risk. Whether you’re a business or an individual, when threatened, the need to move quickly and effectively is vital.

Whatever form a threat takes, our team has both the experience and resource needed to cover your back.

The need for effective advice is critically important since the 2013 Defamation Act and the application of the “serious harm” test.

Our team can support you on many fronts. Obtaining a retraction and apology if your reputation has been damaged at a public meeting. Securing compensation, via agreement, if you are the subject of defamatory comments in the media. Defending the authors of campaign election documents from defamation claims. And protecting your business from being the subject of defamatory statements about your services and products.

Whatever your needs, we’re here to help with friendly, straightforward and clear advice from an expert team with a reputation for success.

Our experience
  • Obtaining a retraction and apology for someone whose reputation had been damaged at a public meeting;
  • Obtaining compensation, via agreement, for a person the subject of defamatory comments in the press;
  • Defending the author of campaign election documents from defamation claims;
  • Regularly acting for businesses in different sectors the subject of defamatory statements about their services and products.

Contact a specialist

Peter Hornsey

Partner | Head of Commercial Litigation

+44 (0) 330 137 3314

+44 (0)792 149 8908

Email Peter Hornsey

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Russell Ward

Partner | Commercial Litigation

+44 (0) 330 137 3318

+44 (0)773 846 2436

Email Russell Ward

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What people say

  • The team has all the technical and technological capabilities required in its sphere of work and as a client I have always felt fully supported on a technical and personal level.

    Legal 500
  • They offer unparalleled legal knowledge and advice to clients at critical moments during disputes providing practical effective solutions including unparalleled litigation expertise.

    Legal 500, Client quote
  • The Manchester team are dynamic. They have excellent client management whilst, at the same time, maintaining great relationships with counsel and experts to ensure that the litigation team are joined up throughout. The team are affable and down-to-earth with a broad and growing practice.

    Legal 500, Client quote
  • The team have top-to-bottom talent. Their client care, especially over the past 12 months, has been great. I have been really impressed with the way in which cases have been kept on track and there has been continuous client engagement. The expertise and ability to handle complex, multi-party litigation is really impressive. Additionally, there is real focus on achieving the clients’ objectives and an eye on strategy.

    Legal 500, Client quote
  • Their expertise and ability to handle complex, multi-party litigation is really impressive.

    Legal 500
  • Ward Hadaway are absolutely first rate - they are an excellent firm for litigation, regionally, nationally and, increasingly, internationally.

    Chambers & Partners
  • This team earns strong market endorsement for its deft handling of a wide range of commercial litigation matters including director and shareholder disputes, professional negligence and IT claims.

    Chambers & Partners
  • This is ‘a go-to team for clients with big commercial claims’… the team's lawyers ‘combine legal aptitude with common sense’.

    Client quote, Chambers & Partners
  • An exceptional and wide-ranging presence in high-value commercial litigation in the North East and Northern England. Enviable bench strength with the capacity to handle matters including shareholder disputes, professional negligence, insurance disputes and fraud.

    Chambers & Partners

What we're thinking

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    The Court of Appeal, through the decision in Adams v Carey has set out an important judgment as regards the scope of duties owed by SIPP operators, as well as the statutory construction of section 27 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

  • Your words or mine?

    After a comprehensive 2 year consultation by the Witness Evidence Working Group, significant changes to the way that trial witness statements are to be prepared in the Business and Property Courts will come into force. Here we take a look at the practical implications for litigators and witnesses.