Bindmans is recognised as a leading firm in advising and representing journalists and media organisations.

We appreciate the growing scrutiny under which members of the press work, and regularly represent journalists who face criminal investigation or prosecution, or who are threatened by the police with interference in their professional activities.

Bindmans has been a leader in the field since 1986 when we successfully defended Clive Ponting, the civil servant prosecuted over the leaking of information about the sinking of the General Belgrano, during the Falklands War. More recently, we represented David Miranda, the partner of a Guardian journalist, in relation to a Terrorism Act Schedule 7 stop, in which the Court of Appeal upheld our client’s challenge to the use of the power, as well as other cases too sensitive to mention.

These cases require specialist skills because of the complex law involved, the public interest issues at stake, and due to the special professional responsibilities of journalists. The firm’s Criminal Defence, Media and Information Law, Public Law, Employment, and Immigration teams are also leaders in their fields and work seamlessly with their colleagues to protect journalistic integrity.

We act and are very experienced in the following kinds of work:

• Cases involving whistleblowing allegations of Official Secrets Act breaches
• Representing investigative journalists where undercover investigations have attracted the attention of the police
• Defending journalists and publishers in proceedings for Contempt of Court and breach of reporting restrictions 
• Defending journalists covering public demonstrations and public order incidents who find themselves the target of police
• Advising and representing journalists and broadcasters in relation to applications by the police for production of journalistic material (Production Orders). For example, we successfully represented a journalist and a number of media organisations in judicial review proceedings arising from applications by Essex Police for production orders to hand over footage of the police operation at the Dale Farm traveller camp and advised a media organisation in relation to attempts by the Metropolitan Police to force it to reveal source material relating to disclosures about Operation Weeting

Previous events

• Please follow the link here to watch our 2019 Bindmans LLP / UCL Debate: State Security -v- Freedom of the Press. This debate focuses on tensions that have been highlighted between the Government’s efforts to protect our democracy and the impact new legislation may have on a free independent press.
• Also, click here to see notes from a talk to the National Union of Journalists by Katie Wheatley on 30 April 2013, and notes from a seminar held by Katie Wheatley and others on ‘Defending Journalists’ Sources’ in 2015.

Key Services

Criminal Defence and Extradition

Inquests: Advising and Representing Interested Persons and Witnesses

Extradition

Journalists and Media Organisations

Appeals and Miscarriage of Justice

Terrorism Charges

Police Station Representation and Advice

Celebrity and High Profile Legal Services

Criminal Court Representation

Road Traffic Offences

Sexual Offence Allegations

Drug Offences

Youth Crime

Assault Allegations

Homicide

Official Secrets Act Breaches

Human Trafficking, Smuggling, and Slavery Offences

Dishonesty Offences

University Misconduct Complaints