Welcome
I am a specialist media content lawyer with over 20 years of experience working with some of the biggest (and smallest) names in the worlds of TV and film, magazine and book publishing, news, podcasting and audio and video production.
A passionate believer in responsible free speech and the power of communication, I provide pragmatic, cutting-edge pre-publication or broadcast advice covering all aspects of the law and regulation affecting media content. I also work with clients defending their content against legal and regulatory complaints.
See Kirsty’s profile
Kirsty has worked for many years at the highest level in the media industry and regularly deals with challenging legal issues and high-profile matters for clients in the television, film and publishing industry, including many household names.
She spent a decade with RPC, the leading defendant media litigation practice in the country. After a career break with her children, she moved in-house, and immediately before branching out on her own she was the acting head of editorial legal for The Times and The Sunday Times.
Now with her own freelance practice, she is practical, calm and solution-based. A quick and incisive thinker, she has a deep knowledge and understanding of the media environment. She thrives in dynamic, innovative environments and is regularly sought out by clients to help them navigate the most complex legal and compliance issues and to work with them on the most challenging stories.
What I do
compliance
complaints
From agenda-setting
investigative documentaries to political memoirs, from true crime podcasts to comedy and from live news to blue light programmes, I advise across the full spectrum of genres, formats and platforms leaving you to focus on creating your best content.
I regularly advise on
issues surrounding newsgathering, police requests for journalistic material, reporting restrictions, and strategic and lobbying issues.
I have extensive legal and regulatory complaints handling experience and have defended a number of high-profile media litigation cases including numerous emergency injunction applications.
My legal specialisms
include libel, privacy, copyright and fair dealing, reporting restrictions, contempt of court, passing off, trade marks and data protection, as well as the OFCOM, IPSO and other regulatory codes and the criminal and civil laws affecting all broadcasters and publishers.
Whether you need
- ad hoc advice or ongoing support
- an E&O report or a script check
- a book report or a compliance viewing
- copy clearance or in-person studio attendance
- complaints advice or a training session
I am here to help from commission to publication or broadcast and beyond.
Kirsty is one of the team here and has been since we started The Athletic. She’s a superb lawyer and her invaluable guidance has helped us navigate so many tricky stories. And she always has a solution – she is not obstructive. We could not have pulled off some of our best moments without her.
Alex Kay-Jelski, Editor-in-Chief, The Athletic UK
I have worked with Kirsty for much of the past decade on a range of complicated and high profile newspaper investigations and cannot recommend her work highly enough. In fact, I have relied on her advice so much that when I wrote a non-fiction book I insisted the publisher brought her on board as the lawyer! She is a top class media lawyer.
Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times
Kirsty is a highly professional media lawyer with significant legal experience in the newspaper, broadcast and online industry. She provides clear, practical advice to editorial teams and is on the side of the journalists, always trying hard to find the way to get news stories to publication
John Battle KC (Hon), Head of Legal and Compliance, ITN
We have instructed Kirsty for many years in connection with our books. We value her deep knowledge of the law combined with her ability to find pragmatic solutions. She is great at working with our editors and authors.
Maddie Mogford, Editorial Legal Director, Hachette UK Limited