Media and Publishing
Our Media and Publishing team has a national reputation for giving accurate, speedy and practical advice to journalists and publishers on all aspects of Media Law.
The two most recent independent surveys confirm that the lawyers in the team are recognised as some of the UK’s leading experts in the field. From our regional base, we provide a quality service to clients which stands comparison with any London based firm, at a highly competitive price.
We aim to provide a service that is commercially realistic, robust and compatible with our clients’ own business goals.
We guide publishers, whether in print or the web, through the maze of laws and regulations that govern paper and on-line publishing, from libel, contempt, and the rapidly developing law of privacy and confidence, to the Press Complaints Commission, Local Government reporting, copyright, trademarks, advertising and promotions.
We provide a full service covering both pre and post publication advice, including reporting restrictions, libel, contempt of Court, regulatory issues, data protection, and freedom of information.
And if the worst comes to the worst, the members of our team have considerable experience in conducting the most complex High Court litigation.
But don’t just take our word for our expertise - we are recognised as leaders in our field by independent research!
This is how the 2008 Chambers UK Guide reported on the Media and Publishing team:
The Firm: This “great regional player” is the principal editorial adviser to the two largest publishers of regional newspapers and web sites in the country, and is attracting an increased level of instructions from a number of others. The team deals with a variety of media-related issues including copyright, reporting restriction and Internet publication. One client described it as an “absolutely professional service at reasonable prices.”
The Lawyers: “Superb legal mind” Tony Jaffa receives plaudits from peers who acknowledge that “his talent goes beyond knowing the law inside out - he also has the ability to apply it quickly and practically.” “Extraordinarily clever,” Cathryn Smith is “amazingly creative in finding solutions to problems” and “provides a great service every time.”
This is how the 2007 Chambers UK Guide reported on the Media and Publishing team:
According to clients, this team provides “speedy, commercially realistic and robust advice.” One client noted: “Counsel at the firm is always compatible with our own commercial goals and it would never pressure us to do something we don’t want.” What makes this firm stand out from any of its rivals, however, is that “its lawyers are incomparably friendly and charming.”
Typifying the firm’s client-friendly approach is Tony Jaffa. A pleasure to work with, he is “clearly a man who knows how to run cases effectively”. One client added: “It is refreshing to work with a lawyer who does not carry on like one.” “Charismatic” Cathryn Smith “fights hard for clients and is analytical, tough but at all times sensible.”
And the 2007 Legal 500 praised the team by saying:
"Tony Jaffa’s media practice at Foot Anstey is one of the South West’s hidden gems. He has had phenomenal success as the adviser of choice to much of the newspaper industry nationally, providing pre- and post-production advice, including defamation advice, to over 400 newspapers".
Meanwhile, the 2007 Chambers Student Guide added:
“Clients have come to rely on the firm’s media/defamation expertise which has seen it involved in numerous actions for regional titles across the UK plus a few beyond. In one notable case, the lawyers represented a Jamaican national newspaper in an appeal heard by the Privy Council.”
These glowing reports confirm our long term commitment to our clients in this specialist area of law, which had already been recognised in reviews from previous years.
“Clients rate this firm not only for its long tradition of efficient legal advice but its successful cultivation of an ‘intellectually powerful team that can compete with any City firm’. Clients consider this group to be ‘a true heavyweight that provides expertise at reasonable prices’, copyright and data protection being two such areas of expertise”.
"Tony Jaffa ‘does a splendid job for his clients and keeps competitors on their toes’, market sources agreed. This ‘amazingly smart’ lawyer is the driving force behind the group and ensures that high standards are consistently met. Cathryn Smith was warmly commended as "sensible, practical and tough, without being difficult." Chambers 2006
For initial advice, please contact:
- Tony Jaffa on 01392 685355
- Cathryn Smith on 01392 685353
