Guy Vassall-Adams QC - Matrix Chambers

Guy’s principal areas of practice are media law, public law and human rights.

In media law, Guy’s practice covers privacy, breach of confidence, defamation, data protection including the “right to be forgotten”, broadcasting law, contempt of court, open justice, freedom of information and media-related judicial reviews. Guy’s human rights cases include international class actions and judicial reviews raising human rights issues. Guy also has substantial experience in election cases, having acted for both political parties and campaigners.

Guy has litigated some of the most complex group litigation of recent years including the Mobile Telephone Voicemail Interception Litigation (“phone hacking”), the Voicemail Interception Compensation Scheme (NGN’s private arbitration) and the Construction Industry Vetting Information Group Litigation (“blacklisting”). Guy is also frequently instructed to act in urgent cases including privacy injunctions.

Guy’s recent caseload includes:

Intervening for the Media Lawyers Association in the Supreme Court case of Lachaux v Independent Print, the leading case on the serious harm test under s.1 of the Defamation Act 2013;
Intervening for media organisations in the Court of Appeal case of MN v OP [2019] EWCA Civ 679, where the Court upheld the applicability of the open justice principle to variation of trusts hearings;
Acting for the successful claimant in Rudd v Bridle [2019] EWHC 893 (QB), a leading Data Protection Act case on the right of subject access;
Acting for the defendant in Doyle v Smith [2018] EWHC 2935 (QB), the first libel case to consider the application of the public interest defence to citizen journalists;
Acting for Reuters in Brevan Howard v Reuters [2017] EWCA Civ 950, the recent Court of Appeal authority on breach of confidence as it relates to media publications on issues of public interest;
Acting for the Liberal Democrats in Dhamija v Liberal Democrats, the first authority on positive measures for political candidates under s.104 of the Equality Act 2010;
Acting for the Migrants Rights Network in its successful judicial review challenging data sharing between the Home Office and NHS Digital for immigration enforcement.

Guy’s clients include national and international media organisations, companies, public authorities, trades unions, NGOs and private individuals.

Guy has a substantial advisory practice and has acted as an expert on freedom of expression for the Council of Europe in Russia, Serbia, Kosovo and Armenia.

Guy is regulated by the Bar Standards Board and accepts instructions under Standard Contractual Terms, details of which can be found here.

Publication/Downloads

Media and Information Arbitration Podcast (December 2016)
Online Defamation Training Course on the Defamation Act 2013 (October 2016)
Paper on the Right to be Forgotten for the MLRC Conference (September 2016)
Guide to Reporting Restrictions in the Criminal Courts (May 2016)

Privacy Notice

Guy is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. In order to provide legal services to his clients, including advice and representation services, Guy needs to collect and hold personal data. This includes his client’s personal data and the personal data of others who feature in the matter upon which he is instructed. To read Guy’s privacy notice in full, please see here.

DIRECTORY RECOMMENDATIONS

WHAT THEY SAY:

Comments from Chambers & Partners: “Displays unparalleled commitment, focus and energy” (2017); “He’s extremely thorough, with a great understanding of how law and practice fit together” (2016); “He often does applications for groups of media organisations, and is pleasant to be up against. He knows his stuff, gets on with the job and does it well” (2015); “a feisty performer with a great brain” (2013); “exceptionally helpful and responsive – he works collaboratively and offers impressive, creative solutions” (2010).

Comments from The Legal 500: “His tactical acumen and diligence are both impressive” (2016); “A safe pair of hands, and good with clients” (2016); “a clear and effective advocate, with a particularly good grasp of Article 10 freedom of expression rights” (2015); “praised for his insight, organisation and ability to work like an absolute Trojan” (2013).