Name: Bristows
Price range: $$$

We advise media and technology companies on disputes relating to published content. Our team consists of experts with a passion for media law and the experience to back it up.

We advise organisations including media publishers, internet service providers and others in relation to claims brought in libel, privacy, breach of confidence and data protection.

We have a particular specialism in advising clients on the impact of developments in privacy and data protection law on the services they provide. The team therefore works closely with the firm’s highly regarded data protection team.

The firm’s long-standing focus on technology also means we are particularly well placed to advise media and technology clients who are embracing new ways to reach readers and viewers.

We work closely with clients as they develop new products and platforms, and advise on potential liability issues around the way those products and platforms are intended to operate.

Key contacts

View all key contacts

Experience

Our lawyers have a wealth of experience, including:

Advising a leading global internet company on various high profile privacy, data protection and libel cases, including the first “Right to Be Forgotten” claims to be determined at trial in the High Court

Defending a leading international broadcaster and online content provider in High Court litigation in relation to a breach of confidence claim following its reporting on information contained in a mass data leak

Acting for a well-known production company in successfully opposing an injunction application sought by a high net worth individual regarding a proposed broadcast on national television

Acting for various well known online intermediaries in relation to disputes concerning content made available on their services and platforms

Representing various non-media/technology clients, including PLCs, universities, local authorities, charities and individuals in relation to libel and slander claims

Advising companies in various sectors in relation to malicious falsehood/”trade libel” disputes with competitors

Bristows strengthens its media disputes team with Julian Darrall

09.08.2024

Instagram v Meta 404: Not for the GRAM

09.11.2023

Tech Summit 2022: What did we learn?

12.12.2022

What others say

“Bristows is the firm I go to whenever anything more challenging comes up.”
Chambers & Partners 2025

“Their expertise, responsiveness and commercial acumen make them an invaluable asset to our company. They are always available to address our legal needs promptly and efficiently.”
Chambers & Partners 2025

“Bristows has a widely experienced team providing support to their clients on complex matters. Their ability to provide support on sophisticated matters is exquisite.”
Chambers and Partners 2024

“They are knowledgeable and up to date with the fast-changing laws related to social media and the various platforms, and able to appropriately and adeptly guide clients in this industry.”
Chambers and Partners 2024

“Bristows stand out from the crowd because they are tech-savvy, and understand the operation of the online media world in which modern day reputation management is centred. They punch above their weight.”
Legal 500 2024

“They’re very commercial and good at dealing with clients.”
Chambers and Partners 2023

“The Bristows reputation management team is small but experienced and has the advantage of being able to offer cross-expertise to other Bristows specialist departments such as data protection, copyright and IT generally. In the internet age that is very valuable.”

Legal 500 2023

“Excellent depth of technical and market knowledge in relation to new media e.g. online platforms, search engines etc. make Bristows an obvious choice for online reputation management issues.”
Legal 500 2023

“Definitely one of the go to firms for organisations in the media and tech field facing complex and challenging litigation in the reputation management area.”
Legal 500 2023

“Outstanding technical ability coupled with first rate people skills and exceptional practical outcomes. This is a rare team with quality from top to bottom. The associates and trainees are as outstanding as the partners at the very top. This means cases can be run practically and sensibly leading to excellent results.”
Legal 500 2023

“One of the very few firms able to offer legal advice across the entire reputation management spectrum, from defamation to data privacy.”
Legal 500 2023

“The ‘outstanding’ team at Bristows LLP is notable for providing extensive reputation advisory services to high-profile tech and media clients.”
Legal 500 2023

“The commercial and technology disputes team has enviable litigation experience in the technology, life sciences, industrial and consumer products sectors; and its specialisms include contractual matters, commercial law and confidentiality issues.”
Legal 500 2023

“They are bright, practical and creative lawyers, who really understand the industry, in particular on the data protection side.”
Legal 500 2022

“The team are collaborative and a real pleasure to work with.”
Legal 500 2022

“No other firm in media/reputation management/data protection has such strength in depth.”
Legal 500 2022

“The team has a unique offering in the media law field.”
Legal 500 2022

“They are specialists in defamation/privacy and data protection and also heavyweights in Intellectual Property. This is an especially attractive offer to clients in the internet age when claims arising from acts online can encompass several diverse causes of action.”
Legal 500 2022

“Strong scientific/technical knowledge base and experience.”
Legal 500 2022

“A stellar team of exceptionally strong lawyers.”
Legal 500 2022

“A strong team in relation to IT disputes generally, particularly those with an IP element and video games. Pragmatic and commercial.”
Legal 500 2022

“Handling complicated technical aspects extremely well with a very practical commercial view.”
Legal 500 2021

“Reactivity, very good knowledge of the market, competitors and brands.”
Legal 500 2021

“Bristows LLP’s attracts praise for its ‘very good knowledge of the market, competitors and brands’.”
Legal 500 2021

Alex Keenlyside is “a passionate media law and litigation specialist”
Chambers and Partners 2020

Alex Keenlyside “continues to build a reputation in the market for advising across a range of privacy, defamation and data protection matters”
Chambers and Partners 2020

Key contacts

Alex Keenlyside

Mark Brown

Robert Graham

Experience

Our lawyers have a wealth of experience, including:

Bristows strengthens its media disputes team with Julian Darrall

Instagram v Meta 404: Not for the GRAM

Tech Summit 2022: What did we learn?

What others say

Recent rankings and awards

Data Protection & Information Law - Band 1

Media & Entertainment: Games, Interactive Entertainment & Social Media - Band 3

Media & Entertainment: Advertising & Marketing - Band 3

Media & Entertainment - Tier 2

Commended for Technology, Media & Telecoms

Data Protection - Band 1

Media & entertainment: Gaming, social media & interactive content - Band 3

Reputation Management - Tier 3

Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity - Tier 1

Inquisitive Minds

Media disputes

Key contacts

Alex Keenlyside

Mark Brown

Robert Graham

Experience

Our lawyers have a wealth of experience, including:

Bristows strengthens its media disputes team with Julian Darrall

Instagram v Meta 404: Not for the GRAM

Tech Summit 2022: What did we learn?

What others say

Recent rankings and awards

Data Protection & Information Law - Band 1

Media & Entertainment: Games, Interactive Entertainment & Social Media - Band 3

Media & Entertainment: Advertising & Marketing - Band 3

Media & Entertainment - Tier 2

Commended for Technology, Media & Telecoms

Data Protection - Band 1

Media & entertainment: Gaming, social media & interactive content - Band 3

Reputation Management - Tier 3

Data Protection, Privacy and Cybersecurity - Tier 1

Inquisitive Minds