Alex Cochrane - Edwards Duthie Shamash Solicitors

About

Alex qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and joined the Media Law practice at Edwards Duthie Shamash in April 2023, bringing with him a number of high-profile clients.

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 and entertainment sectors and he has a wealth of experience in dealing with disputes involving social media platforms and online reputational issues.

Alex is recognised by Chambers and Partners as a ‘Ranked Lawyer’ for defamation/reputation management.

Alex is recognised by the Legal 500 as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ for reputation management.

Alex is also recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ in the Spears 500 reputation management index.

Experience and Areas of Expertise

Alex has worked on a large number of complex libel disputes, with a particular highlight being the successful claim of former international cricketer Chris Cairns brought against Indian businessman Lalit Modi in what was the UK’s first Twitter libel (“Twibel”) trial.

Alex has represented, and continues to represent, a large number of claimants in the phone hacking litigation against both News Group Newspapers Ltd and Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd, recovering substantial damages payments and, where appropriate, public apologies on behalf of his clients.

Alex has acted in landmark libel and privacy claims in all of the appellate courts. He has successfully obtained a number of injunctions in respect of urgent privacy and harassment matters, including an anonymised injunction to prevent the distribution of intimate photographs of a client.

Alex is also regularly instructed in respect of intrusive ‘fly-on-the-wall’ television programmes, including seeking to prevent broadcast at very short notice.

Client Reviews

“An excellent lawyer who really looks after his clients and whose advice is spot on.”

— Chambers and Partners 2024

“Alex Cochrane gains clients’ trust through a mixture of an authoritative yet friendly personality, coupled with outstanding legal expertise.”

— Legal 500

“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

“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

“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

“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