Barristers
Aidan Eardley
Email:
ae@onebrickcourt.com
Call: 2002
SPECIALISATION
-
Defamation and other claims involving the publication of false information
-
Privacy and breach of confidence
-
Media Injunctions
-
Freedom of Information
-
Data Protection
-
Contempt of Court
-
Reporting restrictions
-
Harassment
-
Media-related human rights law
Aidan has a broad practice encompassing all aspects of media and information law. His clients have included national newspapers, broadcasters, magazines and book publishers, MPs, celebrities, trade unions, police officers, local authorities, website operators, regulatory bodies and large and small companies. His work includes appearances in the Information Tribunal, harassment actions and Data Protection Act claims.
Aidan is a member of the Attorney General’s B Panel of Counsel.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommended as a leading junior in The Legal 500 2012/13 (defamation and privacy) and in Chambers and Partners 2013 (defamation/privacy) and nominated for Junior of the Year in Defamation/Privacy at the Chambers and Partners Bar Awards 2012.
offers "an exceptional brain combined with a first-class work ethic." "Depressingly clever," according to peers, he leavens his obvious intelligence with "a good dollop of common sense." Chambers and Partners 2013
Consistently praised for his "incredible brain" The Legal 500 2012/13
Aidan Eardley presents as "a subtle, concise advocate" who is "highly dependable." His recent cases include acting for Tata Steel and Macmillan Publishers. Chambers and Partners 2012
Aidan Eardley is "a class act". The Legal 500 2011/12
Aidan Eardley is "a good junior who gets his head round the issues of a case with ease." He acted as junior to Andrew Caldecott QC for the defendant in Timtchenko v The Economist Newspaper Ltd. Interviewees praise Eardley for his intellectual prowess and his talent for dealing with detailed matters. "He has a super brain and will have a really rosy future," said one. Chambers and Partners 2011
recognised as "conscientious", "bright" and "hardworking" . The Legal 500 2010/11
Aidan Eardley is another firm favourite with instructing solicitors, who agree that he is "a rising star in the privacy and defamation field as he is incredibly user-friendly, an excellent pleader, and he gets things down beautifully in writing." Chambers and Partners 2010
Freedom of information expert Aidan Eardley‘ produces excellent paperwork’ The Legal 500 2008/9
“Others to garner market approval include the “phenomenally bright”Aidan Eardley whose “incredible brain masters the technical aspects of libel work with ease” Chambers and Partners 2008
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
B.A. (Hons) (First Class) French and Philosophy, Merton College, Oxford
Distinction, CPE (postgraduate law diploma) City University, London
Outstanding, BVC (Bar Vocational Course) Inns of Court School of Law
Awarded Scarman Prize (for 2nd highest BVC results at ICSL, 2002), Student of the Year award and Buchanan Prize (for highest BVC results at Lincoln’s Inn, 2002), Denning Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn, 2001), Hardwicke Entrance Scholarship (Lincoln’s inn, 2000)
Pupil at One Brick Court 2002-3
Tenant at One Brick Court from 2003
REPRESENTATIVE CASES OF INTEREST
Defamation
- El Naschie v Macmillan Publishers Ltd (2011) – for defendants (with Andrew Caldecott QC) in lengthy trial with defences of justification, fair comment and Reynolds privilege (judgment awaited)
- Say v British Gas Services Ltd (2011) – for defendant in slander trial
- Khader v Aziz (2010) - for 2nd defendant at first instance and in Court of Appeal. Application for summary judgment/strike out of libel claim.
- Timtchenko v The Economist Newspaper Ltd (2009) - for defendant (with Andrew Caldecott QC), settled.
- Monks v Warwick DC (2009) – for defendant. Application to strike out parts of the Claimant’s pleadings.
- Rath v Guardian News & Media Ltd ((2008) - for defendants (with Andrew Caldecott QC), discontinued by claimant.
- Keating v Large (2008) - for claimant. Libel claim including trial on damages.
- Hidajat v Chadwick (2008) – for claimants. Libel claim including summary disposal.
- Samrai v Mehmi (2008) – for defendant. Jury trial in slander claim.
- Duncan v Goodman (2007) – for claimant. Trial on damages for slander.
- Sheffield Wednesday FC Ltd & Ors v Hargreaves (2007) - for claimants. Norwich Pharmacal application against website operator.
- Berezovsky v Fridman (2006) - Junior counsel for defendants (with Thomas Shields QC) in jury trial.
- Lynam v Associated Newspapers Ltd (2006) - for prospective defendant. Resisting pre-action disclosure application.
- Jones v Carlton Television Ltd (2006) – for defendant. Strike out application.
- Polanski v The Conde Nast Publications Ltd [2005] 1 WLR 637 – 2nd junior counsel for defendant in House of Lords (with David Pannick QC and Manuel Barca) – decision on claimant’s right to give evidence from abroad by video link.
- Wood v CC West Midlands Police [2004] EMLR 20 – 2nd junior counsel for defendant in Court of Appeal (with Edward Garnier QC and Richard Perks) – appeal on qualified privilege and addition of slander claim out of time.
- Oliver v CC Northumbria Police (2004) – junior counsel for claimant (with Ronald Thwaites QC and Stephen Suttle QC) in trial by judge alone.
Privacy/Confidence
- WXY v Gewanter & Ors (2012) - for claimant (with Clare Kissin) in privacy/harassment trial (and also in previous interim injunction applications).
- Gora v Gora (2010) - for claimant. Claim concerning alleged secret recording of telephone conversations. Settled at trial with payment of damages and costs.
- Lord Browne of Madingley v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2007] 3 WLR 289 - junior counsel for defendant in High Court (with Victoria Sharp QC) and Court of Appeal (with Victoria Sharp QC and Catrin Evans). Injunction application.
- Green Corns Ltd v Claverley Group Ltd [2005] EMLR 31 – junior counsel for defendants (with Andrew Caldecott QC). Injunction application.
Freedom of Information
- Evans v ICO & 7 Government Departments (2010-2012) – counsel for appellant (with Michael Fordham QC) in Upper Tribunal appeal concerning Prince Charles’s communications with ministers. Judgment awaited.
- Cobain v Information Commissioner & CPS (2012) – counsel for appellant (a journalist) in First Tier Tribunal appeal concerning case papers from the prosecution of Nick Griffin.
- HEFCE v ICO & Guardian News and Media Ltd (2010) – counsel for additional party in Information Tribunal appeal.
- Ministry of Defence v ICO & Rob Evans (2007) – counsel for additional party (a journalist) in Information Tribunal appeal.
- Guardian Newspapers Ltd v ICO & CC Avon and Somerset Police (2007) - counsel for appellant in Information Tribunal appeal.
Human Rights
- Ashley v CC Sussex Police [2008] 2 WLR 975. Junior counsel for intervener in House of Lords (with Stephen Suttle QC). Appeal as to whether continuation of assault claim against police force in respect of a fatal shooting was an abuse of process and/or infringed the article 6 rights of the officer who fired the shot, who had been acquitted of murder and manslaughter.
PUBLICATIONS AND SEMINARS
Contributor – Arlidge, Eady & Smith on Contempt, 4th Edition – December 2011
Co-Author Duncan & Neill on Defamation, 3rd Edition – October 2009
Articles on media law in The Times, Entertainment Law Review, New Law Journal, Workplace Law and others.
Seminars on privacy for Associated Newspapers and on international libel at the One Brick Court Conference 2006.
OTHER INFORMATION
While training, Aidan represented claimants in Social Security and Employment Tribunals on behalf of the Free Representation Unit
Speaks good French
Member of Lawyers for Liberty and the Human Rights Lawyers Association
INTERESTS
Classical music, theatre, cinema, reading, travel