Helena specialises in reputation, media and privacy disputes.  She advises on defamation, misuse of private information and data protection claims (including pre-publication and post-publication issues with international aspects).  She is highlighted as rising star and recommended lawyer in Legal 500.

Helena has managed cases against national newspapers, search engines, social networks and individuals, and has represented clients in the London High Court, Court of Appeal and European Court of Justice, on behalf of both claimants and defendants. She has experience of non-party disclosure applications.

Helena regularly engages in pre-publication work for corporate and individual clients, against a number of publishers and broadcasters including The Daily Mail and Mail Online, The Telegraph, The Times, the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 which has resulted in mitigating significant potential harm to clients, by way of amendment to or withdrawal of the publications or broadcasts in question.

Helena also has a commercial and international sanctions practice, which includes applications to the General Court of the European Union to annul sanctions implemented by the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on behalf of prominent businessmen.

  • Chambers 2024 praise Helena for being ‘an extremely good part of the Carter-Ruck team and extremely hard-working.’ They highlight ‘her strength in defamation and privacy cases’ and also comment that she ‘assists individuals, businesses and charities with responding to the publication of false or sensitive information’
  • Legal 500 2024 praise Helena as being ‘simply the best in her field. Outstanding knowledge with excellent communication skills. They highlight her ‘unique skill set and that she is the right person to achieve the best outcome.’  Helena is also listed as a Rising Star and a Key Lawyer
  • Chambers 2023 report that Helena is ‘recognised for her strength in defamation and privacy cases. She assists individuals, businesses and charities with responding to the publication of false or sensitive information’ [and that] she ‘is great and hardworking’
  • Legal 500 2023 sources report that Helena is ‘partner material’ and ‘combines an impressive attention to detail with a very warm personality that clients appreciate’.  Helena is ranked as a Rising Star and a Key Lawyer
  • Chambers 2022 report ‘Helena is extremely efficient and very good at managing complex, high-profile cases and makes sure to point out any risks or issues so they can be fixed.  She is responsive and always available’
  • Legal 500 2022 report ‘Helena is an outstanding individual – one of the leading associates in the area. Very shrewd and knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.’
  • Helena is highlighted in Chambers 2021 who report ‘She is a really high-quality lawyer.  She’s very intelligent and knows how to handle clients and keep them at ease and their expectations managed – she is an absolute pleasure to work with’
  • Helena is highlighted as a ‘Rising Star’ for Reputation Management in Legal 500, 2021 and 2022
  • Legal 500 says ‘Helena demonstrates excellent client care and the ability to drag a better offer out of the other side than anybody else thought possible.’
  •  ‘Helena continues to have significant impact on the practice in her area of expertise; misuse of private information and breach of the data protection act.’ (Legal 500, 2020)
  • Johnny Depp Libel Judgment: Sky News interview Helena was invited to appear as a legal expert on Sky News, providing her insight on the Judgment of Johnny Depp v News Group Newspapers Limited. Helena was also interviewed by TNT News and NZ TV
  • Helena obtained a six figure damages settlement for two private clients for false allegations and private information published by four separate newspapers, involving multiple causes of action including defamation, misuse of private information, breach of copyright and data protection
  • She recently successfully brought a libel case against the Mirror and successfully obtained a statement in open court, multiple apologies, substantial libel damages and legal costs for her client. She also recently obtained damages, an apology and legal costs from the Government on behalf of a client in settlement of his claim for misuse of private information and breach of his data protection rights
  • Helena is acting for a large number of politicians and high profile Ultra-High Net Worth individuals. This work has involved copyright, internet takedown, reputation management, partnership disputes and harassment claims. She is also conducting ongoing litigation in the High Court for private individuals in respect of claims for defamation, misuse of private information and breach of data protection laws
  • Helena also advises charitable and corporate bodies (including a number of private equity firms), in respect of both reputational and commercial concerns. Helena was the lead associate in the case of Interpal and its Trustees v Daily Mail and MailOnline. A six-figure settlement was secured, in addition to multiple apologies (in print and online), together with costs
  • Helena is part of the team acting for a prominent Saudi Arabian businessman in his defence of the Burnett litigation in the Southern District of New York
  • Helena regularly contributes to and provides commentary for newspapers and blogs on current media law issues. She has written for the Law Gazette, Inforrm blog and has been featured in the Times Law Diary and the Times Law Supplement