About
Alex is a Partner and he heads up our Media Law team.
Alex qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and joined 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 also recognised by the Legal 500 as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ for reputation management.
Experience and Areas of Expertise
Alex has worked on many 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 News Group Newspapers Ltd and Mirror Group Newspapers Ltd, recovering substantial damages payments and, where appropriate, public apologies on behalf of his clients.
Alex also works closely with Gerald and the wider team providing ongoing advice to the Labour Party in respect of all aspects of media law (including libel, privacy, harassment, and generative AI, such as ‘deep fakes’) and election law, including 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 (including in all of 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.
Client Reviews
“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
“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
