Who? Iain Wilson, partner at Brett Wilson LLP, London.
Why is he in the news? Represented green energy industrialist Dale Vince, who settled a High Court libel claim with Associated Newspapers Ltd in relation to an article published last October that repeated false allegations that Vince supported or had defended Hamas. Associated Newspapers had previously paid damages and costs, and apologised, in relation to similar allegations published in March 2024, and undertook not to repeat the allegations. In a joint statement in open court this month, Associated Newspapers said publication of the October article was an error, acknowledged the allegation was untrue, apologised for any damage and distress caused and agreed to pay substantial damages.
Thoughts on the case: ‘It was extraordinary because the Mail’s publishers had already paid substantial damages and costs and provided an undertaking not to repeat highly defamatory and false allegations. There is Court of Appeal authority to suggest that national newspapers should be trusted to comply with their undertakings. This case suggests otherwise. The claim was legally interesting because it was brought in both breach of contract (for breach of the undertaking) and libel. In the event, the defendant was sensible enough to provide a meaningful apology and retraction and pay further substantial damages and costs. The client obtained meaningful vindication by way of a joint statement in open court, which ensured the record was properly corrected. In both instances, the client donated the damages to charity.’
Dealing with the media: ‘In claimant defamation work, the primary objective is to secure meaningful vindication for your client. Where a libel has been read by millions (as in this case) the vindication needs to be equally prominent. Making a statement in the High Court can help achieve this. It is equally important for the claimant’s team to ensure that news of a settlement reaches the appropriate parties/news desks.’
Why become a lawyer? ‘By accident. I was temping at a couple of law firms in London while applying for jobs in politics and the media. I was attracted to the intellectual challenge and the interplay between the judicial system and the other parts of the state, as well as the media.’
Career high: ‘Acting for a victim of image-based abuse who was being blackmailed by her abuser. It was a sad case with a happy outcome. We obtained substantial damages and our client used these to attend law school and qualify as a lawyer.’
Career low: ‘As a young lawyer, having to produce a detailed financial analysis document overnight during a trial, at a judge’s request. The judge looked at the document for 30 seconds and threw it away saying it was useless.’
