Top reputation and privacy lawyers acting to protect our clients globally

Headed by top reputation and privacy lawyer, Alex McCready, the team combines an innovative approach to the law with experience of cases at the highest levels of reputation and privacy litigation. Offering advice and representation on a wide range of disputes related to defamation, privacy and the media, we can help you resolve and defend your personal and professional reputation. Whether you want to fight hard or negotiate swiftly, we can advise you and advance your case.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Preserving your reputation, safeguarding your privacy, Vardags’ expert lawyers stand ready to defend your best interests.

Pre-publication Advice

We provide advice to high-profile and high net-worth individuals and companies who find themselves at risk of having their reputations damaged by a threatened publication. We respond quickly and decisively to initial approaches by the media or any individuals who threaten to publish harmful and defamatory information. Our experienced team of media lawyers ensure our client’s reputations and privacy is protected and remains confidential by obtaining injunctions to stop the publication of defamatory material or private information.

We also assist our clients who are approached by the media or journalists to respond to enquiries to minimise or avoid any damage by the intended publication and the need to take further legal action post-publication which can be much more costly and time consuming. The media often provide very short timeframes for pre-publication enquiries. Our lawyers are trained to provide swift, accurate and precise advice and our training in crisis management ensures we are well placed to protect our client’s interests in the case of pre-publication enquiries and the threatened publication of false and defamatory information.

Defamation

We help our clients when something false or defamatory has been published about them. We act for clients who are defamed in various different ways and on various different platforms, whether that be online on social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter, written about them in a newspaper or magazine, or said about them on television. We work tirelessly to restore our clients’ reputations to what it was before they were defamed by obtaining an apology and retraction from the publisher, whether it be the media or an individual and obtaining compensation for the damage to our clients’ reputation. We can also engage with relevant regulatory bodies such as IPSO on your behalf if the media do not conduct themselves in accordance with the relevant codes of conduct.

With the increased use and accessibility of social media, we also help our clients have defamatory material posted online on websites such as Facebook and Google removed by either engaging directly with the social media user or by engaging directly with the social media platform. We help clients who have been defamed by an anonymous person online to restore their reputation, by advising them on options available to them to reveal the identity of the anonymous person and take action against them personally.

Harassment

Harassment is an incredibly serious issue which requires the swift, precise, and firm action. Our dedicated team of Reputation and Privacy lawyers are here to help you fight back. Our media lawyers are experienced in advising our clients in relation to all legal and reputational elements in harassment cases, including by obtaining an injunction against the perpetrator of the harassment.

Often the perpetrators of online harassment are anonymous which makes it difficult to take any action against them. We are experienced in uncovering the identity of anonymous perpetrators of harassment and advise our clients on the best legal options to hold perpetrators of all different forms of harassment accountable and to stop the conduct as soon as possible. Online harassment that is public can be damaging to the reputation of an individual or company so we are trained to move swiftly to ensure that the conduct ceases as soon as possible and to stop any further damage to our clients’ reputation.

Blackmail

Blackmail is an extremely sensitive matter that often requires swift and precise action. Our media lawyers are experienced in advising our clients in relation to all legal and reputational elements in blackmail cases, including obtaining an injunction against the perpetrator. Our experience in dealing with the media on political or commercial matters, as well as our relationship with our family and criminal law departments, ensures we are well equipped to deal with all forms of blackmail.

Data & Privacy

We advise individuals and businesses in relation to issues involving data and data regulation. For instance, we act for businesses when dealing with data to ensure that they are adhering to complex data protection regulations. We also bring claims on behalf of our clients for mishandling of their personal data as well as claims relating to data transfers, and act for clients to rectify their personal data if it is incomplete or inaccurate. We also advise our clients on their right to erasure of personal data also known as, ‘the right to be forgotten’ which allows an individual to have certain data deleted so that third persons can no longer trace them and applies in circumstances where an individual has a right to silence past events in life that are no longer occurring.

We also advise our clients in relation to making complaints to the Information Commissioner’s Office if they are experiencing difficulties accessing their personal data or in relation to the way their data has been handled, and defend clients with respect to claims for breaches of UK data protection law.

Media Crisis Management

Our lawyers are specialised in preparing for, identifying and responding to any disruptive or unexpected crises faced by both individuals and corporates. Our relationships with experts in cyber security, investigations, public relations and communications enables us to rapidly and effectively respond to any crisis faced by our clients. Our intelligence and investigation experts are skilled in providing support to our media lawyers and gathering and collating vital evidence in any reputational or privacy crisis.

We are experienced in dealing with and responding to media enquiries and managing adverse media coverage by engaging public relations and communications experts who are skilled in creating and maintaining a positive public image for individuals, groups and businesses.

WHY VARDAGS?

Having Experience on Both Sides

At Vardags, we are sympathetic to the unique challenges facing our clients when it comes to protecting their reputation and privacy. Our founder and president, Ayesha Vardag, understands this all too well.

Ayesha’s wide recognition as being “Britain’s Top Divorce Lawyer” has led her to become a prominent public figure with all the trials this entails. Being regularly featured in the national press, Ayesha has become well versed in dealing with invasive media and protecting her own reputation from defamatory attacks.

Vardags’ elite reputation and media team have a wealth of experience in protecting our high-profile, high-net-worth clients on a wide range of matters. It is never too early nor too late to get some advice on your case. Arrange a free consultation today.

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MEET OUR TEAM

Reputation Management & Defamation Lawyers
Alex McCready Vardags Partner Head of Reputation & Privaacy

Alex McCready

Partner - Head of Reputation and Privacy
ALEX IS THE DEFINITIVE REPUTATION AND PRIVACY LAWYER.
Spears 500
Alex McCready is a Partner at Vardags. As Head of Reputation & Privacy, she is widely respected for her leading expertise in this area. Regarded as “the...
Gregory Monk Vardags Senior Associate Reputation & Privacy

Gregory Monk

Senior Associate
HAS EXPERIENCE IN THE ENGLISH HIGH COURT, COURT OF APPEAL AND SUPREME COURT
Profile
Gregory is a senior associate and solicitor advocate advising a wide range of clients on all aspects of litigation, private client, reputation and privacy. He has...
Alanah Tannous

Alanah Tannous

Senior Associate*
ALANAH IS AN EXCEPTIONAL LAWYER. SHE HAS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SOMEONE 20 YEARS HER SENIOR,...
Client
Alanah is a senior associate in our reputation and privacy department. She has extensive expertise advising on a range of reputational risk matters, including defamation,...

WE ARE READY TO HELP

We offer a free initial consultation to potential clients earning £300,000 per annum, or with at least £2 million in assets

Telephone 020 7404 9390 Phone lines are open 24 hours
WhatsApp 07385 025158 Scan QR to open WhatsApp
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TESTIMONIALS

Alanah is an exceptional lawyer. She has the knowledge of someone 20 years her senior, exceptional service levels [and] a tireless work ethic

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

False allegations have been made about me, how can I protect my reputation?
As a high-profile individual, your reputation is priceless. If allegations about you have been published in print or online and have caused or are likely to cause serious harm to your reputation, we can help. Reputation-damaging allegations can affect your private and public life; the most serious allegations, for example those of a sexual nature, can have a devastating impact on all areas of your life. Whatever the situation, our team can provide specialist advice to protect and defend your reputation.
What can I do if I am being blackmailed or extorted?
High-profile and high-net-worth individuals are common targets for blackmail and extortion and such attempts can be highly distressing. A former sexual or romantic partner may be threatening to publish or post intimate photographs of you; or you may have received threats from a disgruntled employee to leak confidential business information unless you pay them money. Our team provide expert advice on the practical and legal steps you can take to deal with the situation quickly and discreetly. When necessary, we work alongside our in-house criminal law experts, headed by Robert Conway, to provide comprehensive advice on both the reputation and criminal aspects of your case.
What can I do if the media has published defamatory content about me?
As a high-profile individual, media attention will not be alien to you. Anyone in the spotlight knows that a reputation takes years to build, but only seconds to destroy. We regularly engage with publishers, ranging from established publications to social media personalities and even companies, to seek the removal of defamatory allegations, and the correction and rectification of inaccurate data. Our lawyers have specific experience handling cases of Twitter libel (“Twibel”) and other aspects of social media law. To create a seamless and effective strategy that addresses the issue on all fronts, we can work alongside your PR representatives to ensure comprehensive protection and consistent messaging.
I am the victim of a harassment campaign involving defamatory allegations online, what can I do?
If you are a high-profile or high-net-worth individual, defamation can pose a serious threat to your personal and professional life. When the stakes are so high, it is vital that the issue is handled correctly. Even when defamatory allegations emanate from an anonymous individual or online account, there are actions that can be taken to protect your reputation. We regularly instruct private investigators and cyber experts who can work to uncover the identity of an anonymous attacker. There are also legal options available for uncovering the identity of anonymous online users. In some circumstances it is possible to obtain an order from the Court requiring that an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or website host disclose the identity of the anonymous user.
What can I do if I have an issue relating to financial due diligence?
Negative or inaccurate results in financial due diligence can have a devastating impact on the ability of individuals and/or families to do business and operate freely. If you believe that a compliance database holds inaccurate or out of date information about you there are steps you can take. Defamation and data protection laws apply to compliance database companies and can be utilised to good effect to challenge such content.
What can I do if the media has published defamatory content about our business and/or our executives?
A company’s reputation is its most valuable asset. For successful brands and companies, damaging allegations can cause serious damage to public and financial standing. We regularly engage with publishers, ranging from established publications through to social media channels and even other companies, to seek the removal of defamatory allegations, and the correction and rectification of inaccurate data. Our lawyers have specific experience handling cases of Twitter libel (“Twibel”) and other aspects of social media law.
We are concerned about ex-employees leaking confidential information, what can we do?
Bad leavers can present a real threat to a company’s reputation if they have access to confidential information that they could leak, or material for blackmail. Nevertheless, it is possible to take legal action to avoid potential fallout. Information leaks can fall within the remit of data protection law and the law of confidence. You can also protect yourself by enforcing existing contractual terms by, for example, securing emergency injunctions.
We are the victim of a smear campaign, what can we do?
Smear campaigns can have a devastating effect on the reputation and finances of successful companies and their executives. Defamation and conspiracy laws exist to protect businesses from such damaging accusations. We can create a bespoke strategy to handle co-ordinated attacks on your business’s reputation, collaborating with your existing legal, financial and PR team to manage the issue on all fronts. We regularly engage with publishers, including national press and social media, to seek removal of defamatory allegations, and correction and rectification of inaccurate data. We can also help you uncover evidence as to who is behind the campaign.
False allegations have been made against my client, how can I protect their reputation?
Threats to your client’s reputation can have a dramatic impact on their private or professional lives. Some allegations, such as those of a sexual nature, can impact all areas of their lives. We understand that your client’s reputation is priceless. If allegations have been published about them in print or online and are causing serious harm to their reputation, we can help. Our team understands the specific concerns of high-profile figures when it comes to reputational matters, and can provide specialist legal advice to protect and defend both their reputation and privacy.
What to do if my client is being blackmailed or extorted?
It is not uncommon for high-profile individuals to be targets of blackmail and extortion, and such attempts can be highly distressing. A former sexual or romantic partner may be threatening to publish or post intimate photographs of your client; or they may have received threats from a disgruntled employee to leak confidential business information unless they pay money. Blackmail is a criminal offence, so it is important to seek advice on the practical and legal steps that can be taken. When appropriate, our reputation and privacy lawyers can work alongside our in-house criminal law team, to provide comprehensive legal strategy.
What can I do if the media has published defamatory content about my client?
As advisers to high-profile individuals, we know that while a reputation takes years to build, it can be destroyed in seconds. We regularly engage with publishers, ranging from established publications to social media personalities and even companies, to seek the removal of defamatory allegations, and correction and rectification of inaccurate data. Our lawyers have specific experience handling cases of Twitter libel (“Twibel”) and other aspects of social media law. We work with you and your client to develop a seamless and effective strategy that addresses the issue on all fronts, ensuring comprehensive protection and consistent messaging.
What should I do if my client is the victim of a harassment campaign, involving defamatory allegations online?
Defamation can pose a serious threat to the personal and professional life of high-profile individuals. Online, these allegations can spread quickly and are difficult to get under control. Vardags’ lawyers have extensive experience handling all areas of social media law and have engaged with online publishers to great success. Even when defamatory allegations emanate from an anonymous individual or online account, there are actions that can be taken to protect your reputation.
What should I do if my client has issues relating to financial due diligence?
Negative or inaccurate results in financial due diligence can have a devastating effect on the ability of your client to do business and operate freely. If a compliance database holds inaccurate or out of date information about your client there are steps that can be taken. The laws of defamation and data protection apply to compliance database companies and can be utilised to good effect to challenge such content.

OFFICES

Tel: 020 7404 9390
Tel: 01223 631639
Tel: 0161 826 7595
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