Michelle French

Michelle joined Carter-Ruck in November 2006 having trained and practised at Schillings. Michelle qualified in 2004.

Michelle has first-rate experience in Claimant media litigation, especially protecting the reputations of high profile individuals and celebrities. The majority of Michelle's work has been in libel and privacy, often working on ground-breaking cases. Most recently, she worked on the team who advised Roman Polanski, the Oscar winning Film Director, on his successful libel case against the Conde Nast Publications Limited. Michelle assisted in the preparation of Mr Polanski's appeal to the House of Lords allowing him to give evidence at his own libel trial via video link from Paris.

Issuing court proceedings is not always the most appropriate means to obtain vindication and Michelle has successfully settled claims without the need for court intervention, obtaining prompt corrections and fulsome apologies through the PCC and independently in national and regional newspapers, in most instances with compensation and legal costs.

Michelle can advise on media management, directing corporate clients and individuals alike on how to deal with unwanted press intrusion and what to do in times of crisis, in some cases pursuing an emergency court injunction, if appropriate.

Michelle also advises clients on issues concerning Intellectual Property rights ranging from registering Trade Marks and potential copyright/passing off claims to advising upon cyber squatting and domain name disputes.