Driven by knowledge and experience

Media

Overview Ranking News and Events

The desire to protect one's good name and the right to freedom of expression are central to Irish life and law. Both are guaranteed by the Constitution and European Convention on Human Rights, but conflicts frequently arise. We have been involved in a number of noteworthy cases in recent years where the courts have had to resolve conflicts between these fundamental rights.

Our practice is recognised as having developed particular expertise in defamation,privacy and contempt law. For many years we have represented not only Ireland's leading newspaper but also a number of citizens whose primary purpose in undertaking litigation is to vindicate their good names and reputations.

It is a fascinating area of law which expands into pre-publication consideration of books, biographies, contemporary writing and other written projects, advising on scripts both before and during filming, documentaries, TV advertisements, media contracts, copyright and, more recently, the use of the Internet as a modern medium of communication.

Our advices include:

  • Defamation
  • Pre-publication advices
  • Post publication litigation
  • Vindication and protection of individuals
  • Constitutional and Convention rights
  • Films and documentaries
  • Books, fiction and non fiction
  • Media rights
  • Internet and electronic contracts
  • Contempt
  • Advertising and standards compliance

For further information contact: Andrew O'Rorke, David Phelan, Joe O'Malley, Laura Fannin, Matthew Austin.

Practice Areas

Media Team

Hayes Solicitors has a strong media team led by the highly rated Andrew O'Rorke

The Legal 500: Europe,
Middle East & Africa, 2012


Firm chairman Andrew O'Rorke enjoys a strong market reputation and is particularly specialised in defamation work.


Andrew O'Rorke is chairman of Hayes Solicitors. He has tremendous experience in defamation and is lauded for his "great grasp of current affairs and exceptionally broad knowledge of the area. He really understands what is safe to publish - it is almost instinct for him."

Chambers Europe:
Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business, 2012