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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!

The 2009 Chambers UK Guide gives this glowing report on the Media and Publishing team: 

The Firm:  This leading regional outfit receives strong market endorsement for its talents in a range of media-related matters, including copyright, reporting restrictions and Internet publication. The lawyers are esteemed for their “clear interpretation of cases and succinct assessment of all the available choices.”  
The Lawyers:  With a well-established reputation for libel matters, Tony Jaffa is “a brilliant lawyer”  who clients say is “always quick to reply and does everything we ask to perfection.”  Cathryn Smith is “amazingly creative in finding solutions to problems”  and “provides a great service every time.”

In 2008, the Chambers UK Guide said this about 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.”  Peers say that Cathryn Smith is  "Extraordinarily clever,” .  

Meanwhile, the 2009 Chambers Student Guide added:

“The firm advises some 400 regional titles on defamation and other related issues. Indeed, Foot Anstey’s renowned media and publishing team has just completed its first year as editorial advisers to Which?, the consumer magazine...

For initial advice, please contact:

• Tony Jaffa on 01392 685355
• Cathryn Smith on 01392 685353

Media and Publishing Services Links

• News : Articles, updates & bulletins and publications for the Media and Publishing team
• People : Meet the Media and Publishing team