Alex’s comments have been reproduced below with kind permission.
Alex Curran, a senior associate at Payne Hicks Beach and an expert in privacy, defamation and family law, told Spear’s that in cases of family disputes playing out in the public eye, ‘the most important step is to stop the dispute escalating further in public.’
‘That usually means resisting the urge to respond on social media, taking legal advice early and putting formal communication boundaries in place – often through solicitors,’ he said.
Curran advises that UHNW families prioritise confidentiality, keeping concerns documented privately rather than airing them publicly, and exploring mediation or other dispute-resolution methods that address issues while minimising reputational risk.
For him, too, ‘silence and restraint are often the most effective strategies.’ He explained that public rebuttals rarely bring closure and instead entrench positions and invite further scrutiny. ‘Where a response is necessary, it should be carefully managed, factual and legally reviewed,’ he said, as ‘courts and the public tend to look more favourably on parties who exercise restraint and resolve disputes through proper legal channels rather than online exchanges.’
He explains that families often make the mistake of treating social media as a safe or informal space to ‘set the record straight,’ warning that posts can be used as evidence in court and may trigger defamation, harassment or contractual consequences.
Another frequent misstep, he says, is underestimating how public allegations can harden attitudes and make reconciliation far more difficult. These risks can be mitigated by pausing before posting, seeking independent legal advice and remembering that once something is online, it is very difficult to undo.
Even a momentary lapse in judgment, Curran notes, ‘can have long lasting and far reaching consequences.’
Click here to read the full article in Spear’s Magazine: Lessons for UHNWs from the Brooklyn Beckham family dispute – Spear’s
Click here to read more in Luxury London: The Beckhams, high-profile family feuds – and the legal fallout
For further information, please contact Alex Curran or your usual contact in the Family Department, or telephone on 020 7465 4300.
