MEET:
Kirsten Sjøvoll
"Kirsten is very thorough, clearly fiercely intelligent but also very pragmatic. She is very useful with clients and is a brilliant advocate."
"Kirsten is very smart. She is a real expert in the media and related issues. She has the ear of the court and a certain gravitas."
Chambers & Partners, 2025
Kirsten practices predominately in the area of media law and has recently returned to practice in February 2025 after 7 months of maternity leave. She is also an experienced public law practitioner and has spent over 10 years acting mainly for bereaved families in inquests and inquiries. Kirsten is ranked as a Leading Junior in Defamation and Privacy in the Legal 500 and in Band 4 in Chambers & Partners.
Kirsten also has a strong background in public international law, having spent several years working for the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague.
She graduated top of her class in the International Legal Studies LLM at Georgetown University in Washington DC.
Media and Information Law
Kirsten practices predominately in media and information law and is ranked as a leading junior in the Legal 500. She has experience acting alone and as a led junior across the spectrum of libel, privacy (including particular experience in privacy injunctions and reporting restrictions), and data protection law. Kirsten is experienced in the field of injunctions and often provides urgent pre-publication advice. She acts for both Claimants and Defendants. Kirsten is an active member of the Media and Communication List Users Group and was involved in its working group on anonymity.
Injunctions
- HXZ v NMX – acting with Sara Mansoori KC for the Claimant in a claim for misuse of private information and harassment involving blackmail. The Claimant successfully obtained an interim injunction (initially on an urgent and without notice basis) preventing the disclosure of his private information and harassment by the Defendant. The public judgments are available here and here.
- Chelsea Football Club v McKnight [2024] EWHC 2884 (KB) – acted as sole counsel for Chelsea Football Club in a claim for harassment against its former employee. CFC was successful in obtaining both an interim and final injunction and judgment in default. The judgment is available here
- BBG v Persons Unknown – acted as sole counsel for the Claimant in a claim for misuse of private information against “persons unknown” who were blackmailing him with threats of disclosing intimate videos and images taken without his consent. The Claimant successfully obtained a final injunction and judgment in default. The public judgment in the interim injunction application is available here
- Global Processing Services v Yanpolsky [2023] EWHC 425 (KB) – led by Guy Vassall-Adams KC acting for the Claimant company in a claim for breach of confidence against a former employee. The Claimant obtained summary judgment in its favour and a final injunction.
Privacy
- Jarman v Spencer – Led by Antony White KC. Acting for the Claimant, who brings a claim for misuse of private information against Lady Karen Spencer, arising from the disclosure of the Claimant’s medical condition (ongoing).
- Various Claimants v Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd – acting as junior counsel led by Hugh Tomlinson KC for the Claimants in the Mirror Group “phone hacking” litigation (ongoing).
Libel
- Mincione v Gedi Gruppo Editoriale SpA – led by Lorna Skinner KC acting for the Claimant in this ongoing libel claim against the Italian publisher of L’Espresso. The judgments on the Claimant’s application to strike out the Defence is available here and the Court of Appeal Judgment on jurisdiction is available here.
- Amersi v Leslie [2023] EWCA Civ 1468 – led by Hugh Tomlinson KC. Acted for the Claimant in his appeal against the order of Mr Justice Nicklin striking out his libel action.
- Amersi v BBC [2024] EWHC 774 (KB) – led by Hugh Tomlinson KC. Acted for the Claimant in his libel action against the BBC.
Data Protection
- Trump v Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd – led by Hugh Tomlinson KC. Acting for President Donald Trump in a claim alleging his personal data was unlawfully processed by publication in the so-called “Trump Dossier” prepared by Christopher Steele.
- Fridman & Ors v Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd Led by Hugh Tomlinson KC acting for three claimants alleging their personal data was unlawfully processed by publication in the so-called “Trump Dossier” prepared by Christopher Steele. Please see here for the judgment.
Called to the Bar, 2012 (Honourable Society of the Inner Temple)
City University (September 2010-May 2011)
Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent)
United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
Associate Legal Officer, Appeals Chamber (August 2009-August 2010)
Legal Assistant, Defence (January 2009-August 2009)
Legal Intern, Defence (September 2008-January 2009)
Human Rights Watch (Washington DC)
Pro Bono research associate looking into matters relating to the use of Private Military Contractors in Iraq (October 2007-April 2008)
Pro Bono research associate looking into matters relating to the use of Private Military Contractors in Iraq (October 2007-April 2008)
Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (2009)
Horace Avory Scholarship Benefactor’s Award
Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Scholarship
Georgetown University Law Centre (2007/08)
Thomas Bradbury Chetwood Sr. Prize for Most Distinguished Academic Performance leading to an LL.M.
CALI Excellence for the Future Award (for highest grades in International Human Rights Law; Contemporary Issues in Human Rights).
LLM (International Legal Studies) Georgetown University (2008) (highest mark in year)
LLB (hons) Durham University (2007)
INQUEST
- Article: If the Shoe Does Not Fit: Why the ATS Does Not Work
- Article: How should damages for libel be calculated
- Article: Should protecting the anonymity of victims of sexual offences be left to the media?
- Article: We must not withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights
- Article: Universities Online: Reputation, Risks, and Reaction
- Article: Judicial Review Costs Update
- Consultation Paper: The Judicial Review Consultation: Reflections, Predictions, and Predicaments
Kirsten is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. In order to provide legal services to their clients, including advice and representation services, Kirsten needs to collect and hold personal data. This includes their client’s personal data and the personal data of others who feature in the matter upon which they are instructed. To read Kirsten’s privacy notice in full, please see here.
"Excellent on the papers and also a persuasive advocate. Kirsten is very strong on media cases."
"Her legal work is excellent and her drafting is very good."
"Kirsten is very thorough, clearly fiercely intelligent but also very pragmatic. She is very useful with clients and is a brilliant advocate." "Kirsten is very smart. She is a real expert in the media and related issues. She has the ear of the court and a certain gravitas."
"Kirsten’s advice is measured, practical and realistic. She will always have the client’s interests at the forefront of her advice. Her knowledge of case law is incredible and something to be desired."
"Kirsten has a good manner and good judgement. She doesn't lead clients down the wrong path." "She makes her clients confident. Her interpersonal skills are excellent and she is excellent on the law."
"Kirsten is helpful, sensible, practical and pleasant to deal with."
"Intellectually brilliant, practical and yet nuanced, incisive and quick with reasonable and reasoned advice."
"Her advocacy is great. She is very calm, measured and persuasive." "She is enormously busy in inquests work and has an absolute mastery of all the detail."
"She is a talented junior with good drafting skills in pleadings and excellent knowledge of data protection in a media context."
"She's willing to go above and beyond and spend time with clients in difficult situations. She has good advocacy skills and is able to successfully articulate tricky legal points."
"Kirsten has shown commitment to the case and managed well with the complexities it presented. She provided helpful and insightful advice to the clients and her advocacy was thorough."
"She's excellent with clients as she has a human approach. She's also really good at cutting through the detail."
"She’s willing to go above and beyond and spend time with clients in difficult situations. She has good advocacy skills and is able to successfully articulate tricky legal points."
"Kirsten has shown commitment to the case and managed well with the complexities it presented. She provided helpful and insightful advice to the clients and her advocacy was thorough."
"She’s excellent with clients as she has a human approach. She’s also really good at cutting through the detail."
"An incredible advocate who is very, very good with clients."
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE:
- Civil Liberties and Human Rights
- Commercial Law
- Commercial Public Law
- Court Orders affecting the Media
- Data Protection
- Defamation and Privacy
- Election Law
- Harassment
- Health and Social Care (including welfare benefits)
- Media and Information Law
- Police, Inquests and Prison
- Public International Law
- Public Law
- Public Law: Information, Data and Privacy
+44 (0)20 7404 3447
"Kirsten is very thorough, clearly fiercely intelligent but also very pragmatic. She is very useful with clients and is a brilliant advocate." "Kirsten is very smart. She is a real expert in the media and related issues. She has the ear of the court and a certain gravitas."
Chambers & Partners, 2025
MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Commercial Law
- Discrimination and Equality
- Election Law
- Healthcare, Mental Health and Mental Capacity
- Civil Liberties and Human Rights
- Injunctions
- Inquests and Inquiries
- Media and Information Law
- Court Orders affecting the Media
- Data Protection
- Defamation and Privacy
- Harassment
- Police Law
- Prison Law
- Public International Law
- Public Law
- Public Law: Information, Data and Privacy
- Health and Social Care (including welfare benefits)
- Police, Inquests and Prison
- Commercial Public Law
Kirsten Sjøvoll
Contact Kirsten: kirstensjovoll@matrixlaw.co.uk | +44 (0)20 7404 3447
Contact Kirsten's Practice Team (Team M): TeamM@matrixlaw.co.uk
Kirsten practices predominately in the area of media law and has recently returned to practice in February 2025 after 7 months of maternity leave. She is also an experienced public law practitioner and has spent over 10 years acting mainly for bereaved families in inquests and inquiries. Kirsten is ranked as a Leading Junior in Defamation and Privacy in the Legal 500 and in Band 4 in Chambers & Partners.
Kirsten also has a strong background in public international law, having spent several years working for the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague.
She graduated top of her class in the International Legal Studies LLM at Georgetown University in Washington DC.
Media and Information Law
Kirsten practices predominately in media and information law and is ranked as a leading junior in the Legal 500. She has experience acting alone and as a led junior across the spectrum of libel, privacy (including particular experience in privacy injunctions and reporting restrictions), and data protection law. Kirsten is experienced in the field of injunctions and often provides urgent pre-publication advice. She acts for both Claimants and Defendants. Kirsten is an active member of the Media and Communication List Users Group and was involved in its working group on anonymity.
Notable Recent Media Cases
Injunctions
- HXZ v NMX – acting with Sara Mansoori KC for the Claimant in a claim for misuse of private information and harassment involving blackmail. The Claimant successfully obtained an interim injunction (initially on an urgent and without notice basis) preventing the disclosure of his private information and harassment by the Defendant. The public judgments are available here and here.
- Chelsea Football Club v McKnight [2024] EWHC 2884 (KB) – acted as sole counsel for Chelsea Football Club in a claim for harassment against its former employee. CFC was successful in obtaining both an interim and final injunction and judgment in default. The judgment is available here
- BBG v Persons Unknown – acted as sole counsel for the Claimant in a claim for misuse of private information against “persons unknown” who were blackmailing him with threats of disclosing intimate videos and images taken without his consent. The Claimant successfully obtained a final injunction and judgment in default. The public judgment in the interim injunction application is available here
- Global Processing Services v Yanpolsky [2023] EWHC 425 (KB) – led by Guy Vassall-Adams KC acting for the Claimant company in a claim for breach of confidence against a former employee. The Claimant obtained summary judgment in its favour and a final injunction.
Privacy
- Jarman v Spencer – Led by Antony White KC. Acting for the Claimant, who brings a claim for misuse of private information against Lady Karen Spencer, arising from the disclosure of the Claimant’s medical condition (ongoing).
- Various Claimants v Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd – acting as junior counsel led by Hugh Tomlinson KC for the Claimants in the Mirror Group “phone hacking” litigation (ongoing).
Libel
- Mincione v Gedi Gruppo Editoriale SpA – led by Lorna Skinner KC acting for the Claimant in this ongoing libel claim against the Italian publisher of L’Espresso. The judgments on the Claimant’s application to strike out the Defence is available here and the Court of Appeal Judgment on jurisdiction is available here.
- Amersi v Leslie [2023] EWCA Civ 1468 – led by Hugh Tomlinson KC. Acted for the Claimant in his appeal against the order of Mr Justice Nicklin striking out his libel action.
- Amersi v BBC [2024] EWHC 774 (KB) – led by Hugh Tomlinson KC. Acted for the Claimant in his libel action against the BBC.
Data Protection
- Trump v Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd – led by Hugh Tomlinson KC. Acting for President Donald Trump in a claim alleging his personal data was unlawfully processed by publication in the so-called “Trump Dossier” prepared by Christopher Steele.
- Fridman & Ors v Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd Led by Hugh Tomlinson KC acting for three claimants alleging their personal data was unlawfully processed by publication in the so-called “Trump Dossier” prepared by Christopher Steele. Please see here for the judgment.
Employment History
Called to the Bar, 2012 (Honourable Society of the Inner Temple)
City University (September 2010-May 2011)
Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent)
United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
Associate Legal Officer, Appeals Chamber (August 2009-August 2010)
Legal Assistant, Defence (January 2009-August 2009)
Legal Intern, Defence (September 2008-January 2009)
Human Rights Watch (Washington DC)
Pro Bono research associate looking into matters relating to the use of Private Military Contractors in Iraq (October 2007-April 2008)
Pro Bono research associate looking into matters relating to the use of Private Military Contractors in Iraq (October 2007-April 2008)
Awards
Honourable Society of the Inner Temple (2009)
Horace Avory Scholarship Benefactor’s Award
Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Scholarship
Georgetown University Law Centre (2007/08)
Thomas Bradbury Chetwood Sr. Prize for Most Distinguished Academic Performance leading to an LL.M.
CALI Excellence for the Future Award (for highest grades in International Human Rights Law; Contemporary Issues in Human Rights).
Education and Qualifications
LLM (International Legal Studies) Georgetown University (2008) (highest mark in year)
LLB (hons) Durham University (2007)
Professional Memberships
INQUEST
Articles and Downloads
- Article: If the Shoe Does Not Fit: Why the ATS Does Not Work
- Article: How should damages for libel be calculated
- Article: Should protecting the anonymity of victims of sexual offences be left to the media?
- Article: We must not withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights
- Article: Universities Online: Reputation, Risks, and Reaction
- Article: Judicial Review Costs Update
- Consultation Paper: The Judicial Review Consultation: Reflections, Predictions, and Predicaments
Kirsten's Privacy Notice
Kirsten is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. In order to provide legal services to her clients, including advice and representation services, Kirsten needs to collect and hold personal data. This includes her client’s personal data and the personal data of others who feature in the matter upon which she is instructed. To read Kirsten’s privacy notice in full, please see here.
DIRECTORY RECOMMENDATIONS
"Excellent on the papers and also a persuasive advocate. Kirsten is very strong on media cases."
"Her legal work is excellent and her drafting is very good."
"Kirsten is very thorough, clearly fiercely intelligent but also very pragmatic. She is very useful with clients and is a brilliant advocate." "Kirsten is very smart. She is a real expert in the media and related issues. She has the ear of the court and a certain gravitas."
"Kirsten’s advice is measured, practical and realistic. She will always have the client’s interests at the forefront of her advice. Her knowledge of case law is incredible and something to be desired."
"Kirsten has a good manner and good judgement. She doesn't lead clients down the wrong path." "She makes her clients confident. Her interpersonal skills are excellent and she is excellent on the law."
"Kirsten is helpful, sensible, practical and pleasant to deal with."
"Intellectually brilliant, practical and yet nuanced, incisive and quick with reasonable and reasoned advice."
"Her advocacy is great. She is very calm, measured and persuasive." "She is enormously busy in inquests work and has an absolute mastery of all the detail."
"She is a talented junior with good drafting skills in pleadings and excellent knowledge of data protection in a media context."
"She's willing to go above and beyond and spend time with clients in difficult situations. She has good advocacy skills and is able to successfully articulate tricky legal points."
"Kirsten has shown commitment to the case and managed well with the complexities it presented. She provided helpful and insightful advice to the clients and her advocacy was thorough."
"She's excellent with clients as she has a human approach. She's also really good at cutting through the detail."
"She’s willing to go above and beyond and spend time with clients in difficult situations. She has good advocacy skills and is able to successfully articulate tricky legal points."
"Kirsten has shown commitment to the case and managed well with the complexities it presented. She provided helpful and insightful advice to the clients and her advocacy was thorough."
"She’s excellent with clients as she has a human approach. She’s also really good at cutting through the detail."
"An incredible advocate who is very, very good with clients."