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Reputation on trial

20 June 2025 / James Lynch
Issue: 8121 / Categories: Features , Legal services , Dispute resolution , Media
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James Lynch, a partner at Maltin PR, explains why the role of public relations experts is becoming increasingly critical in litigation

England and Wales remains one of the world’s leading jurisdictions for high-value litigation and arbitration, bolstered by the London courts’ global reputation for impartiality and independence. Even after Brexit, English law underpins billions in international contracts and transactions, with legal services contributing £60bn to the UK economy. From contractual disputes to defamation and collective actions, London routinely hears cases that draw significant international attention. For litigants—particularly corporates and high-profile individuals—this means not only legal risk but also reputational exposure, often on a global scale.

Legal teams are now expected to factor reputational considerations into case strategy from the outset. Increasingly, litigation public relations (PR) professionals work in tandem with legal counsel to develop communication plans, monitor press interest, brief journalists on the case where appropriate, and correct any published misinformation—all while ensuring consistency with the legal approach. The myriad rules around communicating throughout the legal proceedings require an expert touch

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gilson Gray—Linda Pope

Gilson Gray—Linda Pope

Partner joins family law team inLondon

Jackson Lees Group—five promotions

Jackson Lees Group—five promotions

Private client division announces five new partners

Taylor Wessing—Max Millington

Taylor Wessing—Max Millington

Banking and finance team welcomes partner in London

NEWS
The landmark Supreme Court’s decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd—along with Rukhadze v Recovery Partners—redefine fiduciary duties in commercial fraud. Writing in NLJ this week, Mary Young of Kingsley Napley analyses the implications of the rulings
Barristers Ben Keith of 5 St Andrew’s Hill and Rhys Davies of Temple Garden Chambers use the arrest of Simon Leviev—the so-called Tinder Swindler—to explore the realities of Interpol red notices, in this week's NLJ
Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys [2025] has upended assumptions about who may conduct litigation, warn Kevin Latham and Fraser Barnstaple of Kings Chambers in this week's NLJ. But is it as catastrophic as first feared?
Lord Sales has been appointed to become the Deputy President of the Supreme Court after Lord Hodge retires at the end of the year
Limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are reportedly in the firing line in Chancellor Rachel Reeves upcoming Autumn budget
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