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Unlawful information gathering and phone hacking

Hamlins Reputation and Privacy team provides expert guidance to victims of Unlawful Information Gathering (UIG), which includes what is commonly referred to as ‘Phone Hacking’.

UIG is a means of obtaining private information unlawfully. While phone hacking is just one method of UIG, it is the most well-known, and involves unlawfully accessing an individual’s private voicemail. UIG also includes allegations of landline tapping, burglary to order and ‘blagging’.

  • “The professionalism, compassion and understanding of my situation and circumstances has been exemplary. The understanding between the two industries we operate in has been outstanding. I will continue to work with the Hamlins team gladly, as I know I am emotionally and professionally supported in what is an extremely sensitive and complex arena. I cannot recommend them highly enough. I have nothing but praise for this team and firm, and consider them long term associates.”

    Mathew Horne, Actor

  • “The work and commitment from Christopher Hutchings and his team at Hamlins has been nothing short of outstanding from the first moment I contacted them. They are extremely professional and explain every detail of the procedure in a straightforward and understandable manner.”

    Chris Moyles, Radio & Television Presenter

  • “I am so grateful to Chris Hutchings and the team at Hamlins for managing my case with such diligence and empathy. To see these publications being held accountable goes some way to help compensate the damage to not only myself but the friends, family and colleagues around me who were also affected.”

    Melanie Chisholm, Singer songwriter and DJ

  • “Callum Galbraith and Daniel Shaw at Hamlins were efficient, encouraging and hugely professional. The entire process was trouble-free, stress-free and made incredibly easy by their expertise and diligence. If anyone fears going forward – you shouldn’t. They have been amazing.”

    Clare Balding CBE & Alice Arnold, Broadcasters and journalists

  • “Callum Galbraith and Sarah Daniel at Hamlins dealt with my claim in a superb manner. Incredibly professional and explained everything fully in an easy to follow manner. I recommend them highly.”

    Ross King, TV Producer, actor and writer

  • “Chris Hutchings and Sarah Daniel at Hamlins have been a fantastic team. They have been brilliant communicators, fought hard for me at every stage, and delivered a brilliant outcome that I am over the moon with. I would give them a 5 star rating!”

    Christopher Biggins, Pantomime Dame and Actor

  • “Most lawyers get a bad rep. But I have to say Christopher Hutchings and Daniel Shaw at Hamlins are not most lawyers. They’ve been absolutely incredible from the beginning to the end of this journey with me. They worked and fought so hard on my behalf, but also showed real care and were a genuine source of emotional support throughout.”

    Patrick Brannan, AKA Donny Tourette Singer songwriter and member of punk rock band, Towers of London

  • “Working with Hamlins has been a smooth and stress-free experience. Daniel Shaw and team have been an efficient and reassuring team at all times, inspiring confidence with their knowledgeable input, integrity and understanding. I felt in extremely safe hands with their advice which was affirming and never over-reaching, guided to decisions with which I felt comfortable and which I felt correct. I could not have felt more pleased with the outcome and would work with them all again without hesitation. ”

    Alison Owen, Oscar nominated and BAFTA award winning film producer and executive

  • “I was introduced to Hamlins by a colleague/friend.  I engaged them to act for me in a phone hacking claim.  I found the team to be professional, friendly and approachable at every stage.  They quickly made enquiries and found evidence that there had indeed, been unacceptable interference in my privacy.  Within a very short period I was awarded compensation and an appropriate apology.  I was extremely pleased with the outcome. In particular, I would like to thank Christopher Hutchings and Ellen Gallagher for their diligence and enthusiasm in their pursuit for justice on my behalf.”

    Ricky Tomlinson, Actor

  • “I am deeply grateful to Christopher Hutchings, Lauren Twidale and everyone at Hamlins who have helped me with my claim. Chris and his team are the most professional and efficient legal team I have ever worked with. I felt understood and supported and was impressed by their deep knowledge, efficiency & clear communication. I highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they are a victim of phone hacking.”

    Rebecca Loos

  • “Chris Hutchings and the team at Hamlins are excellent. I found them to be diligent, sympathetic and thorough. I wholeheartedly recommend them.”

    Jim Moir, otherwise known as Vic Reeves (Comedian)

  • “From the moment I instructed Hamlins in my two cases, I followed their advice to the letter and I could not be happier with the outcomes in both.”

    Ralf Little, Actor

  • “I was really delighted with the efficient way that the team at Hamlins dealt with my claim – it was professional and timely and executed in a way that was understandable to a non-lawyer!”

    Noel Fielding, Comedian

  • “I am extremely grateful to Laura Daly and all the Hamlins team headed by Chris Hutchings. Hamlins did an excellent job in fighting both my cases and I am absolutely delighted with the results. I would highly recommend them to anyone who believes they may be a victim of phone hacking. Hamlins forensic and highly skilled team quickly identified the extent of both the hacking I was subjected to and details of the how this impacted negatively on key and long-standing clients relationships. With Hamlins’ professional guidance, I was able to achieve an outcome against two newspaper groups which far exceeded my expectations.”

    Simon Bayliff, Sports Agent

Hamlins has been at the forefront of the phone hacking litigation against both News Group Newspapers Limited (The Sun and the News of the World) and MGN Limited (The Mirror, Sunday Mirror and The People newspapers).

We continue to act in an individual capacity for many claimants as well as acting as Lead Solicitor in the litigation against News Group Newspapers, and we are now taking a leading role in the parallel litigation against Associated Newspapers Limited.

We are experienced in understanding the emotional and mental toll UIG can have on individuals and on their extended networks, including friends, family members and associates. We have a proven track record in successfully navigating clients through this litigation.

We provide guidance and expert advice on:

  • How to best identify if you have been a victim of UIG
  • Evaluating the strength of any claim before proceeding further
  • Progressing viable claims with a view to securing a successful outcome.

We have worked with multiple clients on a ‘no-win no-fee’ agreement (or Conditional Fee Agreement, often referred to as a ‘CFA’) which means claimants do not incur any legal fees unless a claim is successful, at which point these costs are typically recoverable from the other side.

Through our work acting for claimants across UIG litigation, we have secured damages on behalf of our clients alongside multiple public apologies.

Lead Solicitor for News Group Newspapers litigation

Our team acts in an individual capacity for multiple claimants across this litigation, as well as acting as Lead Solicitor since 2016 in the long running phone litigation action against News Group Newspapers. We are appointed as Lead Solicitor by the Court to co-ordinate all claims within the litigation and to pursue the overarching “common” case on their behalf.

View the register of live phone hacking claims in the litigation against News Group Newspapers Limited.