An established figure in her field, Proudler has experienced the full spectrum of defamation law, from right to publish to digital defamation.
‘The old big libel actions have just gone since the new Defamation Act [2013]. It’s all about reputation management these days, it’s about getting things taken down, it’s about data protection. The landscape is completely different to what it was ten years ago. It throws up new problems and new clients, so it never stands still.’
So is it now more about building walls rather than putting out fires? To a certain extent, she says, pointing to how stories can often do more damage online than in print, but her cases remain ‘fact-specific’.
‘There isn’t a “one size fits all” approach. There used to be a standard reaction letter that some firms would churn out ten times a week — it’s not like that now, it’s a tailored approach, lateral thinking.’ That involves tracing digital trails, court orders against unnamed people and serving an order through Twitter if needs be.
Related
Since bringing about the downfall of Jonathan Aitken in 1997, her successes have been notable by their unreported status, but a number of very high-ranking financial CEOs, corporates, and celebrities are grateful for her services.
Content from our partners
