Reputation management

Mark Stephens CBE and Jonathan Coad discuss with Tom how the law protects reputations from damage by the media - or how some think it fails to do so. They look at both the regulatory and legal protections and explore how they differ across different forms of media, as well as considering the particular challenges faced by lawyers working on either side of the fence. Tom also speaks to beauty therapist Danielle Hindley, an acknowledged victim of reputation damage by the Mail on Sunday. Mark Stephens CBE was once described by the Law Society Gazette as “the patron solicitor of previously lost causes” and is today described by the Legal 500 as “an extremely experienced lawyer who is not afraid to roll up his sleeves, and who gives bold advice where needed”. He has been involved in numerous high profile cases including in relation to the media. Jonathan Coad is a specialist media lawyer who for thirty years has acted for high profile media companies and individuals whose reputation and / or privacy is threatened by the media. He has also represented broadcasters and publishers of high public interest material in resisting what he would describe as ‘meritless’ claims against publication. Danielle Hindley is a beauty therapist wrongly accused by the Mail on Sunday of performing botched treatments. She suffered the most severe impact on her health and her business. She succeeded in a complaint to press regulator IPSO but the newspapers refused to pay her damages until she obtained the help of a lawyer. Written and presented by Tom Cross. Produced by Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Lennon Hutton.