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Overview
Andrew Willan is a London-based Partner in the Dispute Resolution team, specialising in commercial litigation and reputation management. He advises high-net-worth individuals, company directors, public figures, corporates and entrepreneurs on complex international disputes, reputational challenges and privacy-related matters. Andrew is particularly recognised for his expertise in cases that concern the interplay between commercial interests and reputation and has managed high-profile litigation that has involved fraud, shareholder disputes, contentious insolvency as well as defamation, harassment, privacy, breach of confidence, data protection and cyber-related claims. He is known for his calm, strategic and commercially focused approach, helping clients navigate disputes where legal, reputational and personal considerations intersect.
Expertise
Andrew specialises in:
- Commercial litigation and dispute resolution
- Breach of director and other fiduciary duties
- Urgent injunctive relief
- Defamation and libel claims
- Privacy and misuse of private information
- Breach of confidence disputes
- Harassment claims
- Cyber-related litigation, including cryptocurrency
- Data protection and GDPR-related disputes
- Norwich Pharmacal applications and information disclosure orders
- Intellectual property disputes
- Reputation-sensitive litigation involving high-profile individuals
- Multi-disciplinary disputes involving commercial, political and reputational risk
Reported Cases
- Acts for Merck Mercuriadis, music executive and founder of the former FTSE 250 company Hipgnosis Songs Fund, in ongoing proceedings brought by Hipgnosis Music Limited.
- Acted in Max Mosley v Google Inc, a landmark privacy and online publication matter.
- Acted in Hourani v Thomson & Others, a significant defamation and reputation-related dispute.
- Represents victims of sophisticated cyber-attacks and privacy intrusions in complex and ground-breaking litigation.
- Advises clients on GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018 and Norwich Pharmacal issues involving the disclosure and protection of information.
- Regularly advises high-profile individuals facing reputational attacks, privacy breaches and media scrutiny.
Qualifications & Accreditations
Andrew read French and Italian at Durham University. He joined Payne Hicks Beach in 2011, qualified as a solicitor in 2013, was promoted to Senior Associate in 2018 and became a Partner in 2020. He regularly writes and speaks on commercial disputes, reputation management, media law, privacy and information rights issues.
Awards & Accolades
- Chambers HNW 2026 – Ranked for Defamation/Reputation Management: High Net Worth (UK-wide).
- Spear’s Reputation Indices 2026 – Ranked as a Recommended Reputation Lawyer for modern-day reputation threats.
- Chambers UK 2026 – Ranked for Defamation/Reputation Management.
- Legal 500 UK 2026 – Ranked as a Next Generation Partner for Reputation Management.
- Chambers HNW 2025 – Ranked for Defamation/Reputation Management.
- Spear’s 500 2025 – Recognised as a Recommended Reputation & Privacy Lawyer.
- Spear’s Reputation Lawyers Index 2024 – Recognised as a Recommended Reputation Lawyer.
