About
Alex is a Partner and he heads up our Media Law team.
Alex advises on all legal areas relating to reputation management with particular expertise in defamation, privacy, breach of confidence and harassment. He has acted for many prominent figures in the sports, entertainment and political sectors and he has a wealth of experience in dealing with disputes involving social media platforms and online reputational issues.
Alex is recommended by Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 as a leading practitioner in defamation and reputation management.
Experience and Areas of Expertise
Alex frequently provides pre-publication reputation management advice, successfully preventing the publication of damaging allegations about his clients or their private and confidential information.
Alex has successfully obtained apologies and substantial damages awards in relation to complex actions for defamation and breach of privacy, with a particular highlight being the libel claim former international cricketer Chris Cairns brought against Lalit Modi in what was the UK’s first Twitter libel (“Twibel”) trial.
Alex works closely with Gerald and the wider team providing ongoing advice to the Labour Party in respect of all aspects of media law including defamation, privacy, harassment and generative AI (such as ‘deep fakes’), and electoral law including election petitions, the regulation of candidates and the regime of corrupt and illegal practices under the Representation of the People Act 1983.
Alex has acted in landmark libel and privacy claims in all the appellate courts, and he has successfully obtained injunctions in respect of urgent privacy and harassment matters, including an anonymised injunction to prevent the distribution of intimate photographs of a client.
Appointments & Memberships
Alex has been appointed to the Council of the Press Justice Project, which provides ongoing help and support to those affected by press abuse, by addressing unwarranted media intrusion and challenging false statements that harm reputations.
Alex is a member of the Legal Panel of Law for Change, which supports people and communities with limited access to justice and provides them with specialist input from a panel of strategic legal advisors who are leaders in their field.
Alex is also a member of The Society of Media Lawyers.
Client Reviews
“Alex is a fantastic lawyer with empathy and complete understanding.”
Chambers and Partners 2025
“He is a first-rate solicitor and a pleasure to work with. I have had no hesitation at all in recommending him to others”.
Chambers and Partners 2025
“An excellent lawyer who really looks after his clients and whose advice is spot on.”
Chambers and Partners 2024
“Alex Cochrane is considered by interviewees to be a “technically excellent lawyer” who “knows his law and is extremely good with clients”. He advises clients on all aspects of reputation management, including defamation, privacy and harassment claims.”
Chambers and Partners
“Alex Cochrane gains clients’ trust through a mixture of an authoritative yet friendly personality, coupled with outstanding legal expertise.”
Legal 500
“Many thanks to Gerald, Alex and the wider team at Edwards Duthie Shamash for your professionalism, attention to detail and good humour. Such a nice firm to work with.”
Lord Peter Mandelson
“Alex Cochrane and all the team at EDS were a pleasure to work with in resolving a long-running claim against a major media organisation with huge resources. Alex was always easy to reach, and responsive, keeping me up-to-date and informed at every stage. I would have no hesitation in recommending Alex and his colleagues for their expertise and negotiating skills.“
Paul Farrelly – Former Labour Party MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme
“It was a real pleasure working with Alex Cochrane and the team at Edwards Duthie Shamash Solicitors – on something that had no right to be pleasurable. I was listened to well and supportively, particularly when we were discussing the most emotional aspects of my case. I am hugely grateful to Alex and the team and would highly recommend them.”
Kathy Sykes OBE – Physicist, science educator and television broadcaster
“Alex Cochrane is a man of the utmost integrity and a first-rate solicitor. I will be forever grateful for all of his hard work, compassion and kindness. He and the EDS team have made a difficult process so much easier. I have had complete trust and faith in Alex since day one and I cannot thank him enough.”
Justin Lee Collins, Comedian and Television Presenter
“I would like to thank Alex Cochrane, who dealt with this sensitive matter with the utmost compassion and grace, making me feel prioritised and valued. Though my faith in humanity has been challenged many times, it is, surprisingly, easily restored by simple acts of honesty and integrity, like those of Alex who was, always, kinder than necessary.”
Anouska de Georgiou, Model and Actor
“I’m incredibly grateful to Alex Cochrane for achieving a successful outcome to my claim. Alex was great to work with: thorough and concise, and always easy to reach via email and phone. From the very first conversation I felt I was in very capable hands working with Alex. His warmth and compassion readily shines through. I can’t recommend him enough!”
John O’Sullivan, former aide to the Royal Household
“Having worked with solicitors before, where the press are concerned, the utter relief when I had my initial meeting with Alex Cochrane was fantastic. He knows his job, knows how to conduct himself with somebody who has had a horrific time and knows how to win!”
Natalie Cecil, Private Individual