Joseph McCaughley

Joseph is a dispute resolution solicitor with a background in several specialist practice areas, including media law and professional negligence. Joseph was previously at Schillings International LLP where he specialised in defamation, privacy, data protection and reputation management.

Joseph is a troubleshooter and problem solver for his clients, providing robust advice and assistance when disputes arise. He champions the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (including mediation) to seek to resolve disputes quickly and cost effectively for his clients. But equally, Joseph is an expert litigator with trial experience on various complex and high-profile cases, meaning he is accomplished and well-versed with court proceedings when required.

Drawing upon his extensive experience acting for ultra-high-net-worth-individuals (UHNW) and global businesses to deliver added value, Joseph presently works primarily with professionals (largely doctors), prominent individuals, and successful businesses to resolve disputes.

Joseph’s primary focus is reputation protection and high stakes litigation. He undertakes work in the following areas:

Reputation Protection

  • Defamation. Including pre and post publication advice and engagement as well as litigation.
  • Privacy. Misuse of private information claims.
  • Online Content. Removal of false and defamatory content, including social media posts and negative product/service reviews.

Data Protection

  • DSARs. Data subject access requests.
  • Incorrect/Outdated Data. Removal of inaccurate and outdated data held by companies and compliance databases.
  • Right to be forgotten. Removal of outdated articles.

Professional Negligence

  • Acting in claims involving professionals, in particular, defending doctors in complex, high-value and often high-profile negligence claims.
  • Acting for and against expert witnesses in professional negligence claims, or in applications concerning Third Party Wasted Costs Orders.

Sample Cases

Whilst most of Joseph’s cases are private for reasons of client confidentiality, a selection of reported cases which are in the public domain include:

The Duke of Sussex, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2024] EWHC 418 (Admin)

Joseph was part of the team that represented The Duke of Sussex (Prince Harry) in his judicial review against the Home Office, as a result of RAVEC’s decision to withdraw security for The Duke when he stepped down as a working member of The Royal Family.

Robinson v Mercier [2023] EWHC 21 (KB)

Joseph successfully overturned a third party wasted costs order against a medico-legal expert exceeding £50,000 due to expert evidence he gave at trial.

Shaw v Maguire [2023] EWHC 2155 (KB)

Joseph represented the Defendant, a medical pathologist, in arguing that the claim was brought out of time.

Waterfield & 26 others v Dentality & others 8 WLUK 90

Joseph successfully represented a dentist and dental practice in a case brought by 27 claimants (with the potential for over 500 claimants to have joined the action) in which professional negligence was alleged against a hygienist. Joseph successfully resisted the claimants’ application for a Group Litigation Order (GLO) and the claim discontinued.

Hall v Thomas, Hardwick and Everton Football Club [2014] EWHC 1625 (QB)

Joseph was part of the team that represented the club doctor in a claim brought by a footballer who alleged the loss of chance of a professional football career.

Joseph represented a world-renowned Consultant Surgeon in a negligence claim brought by an ex-premier league and international footballer. A negotiated settlement was reached for less than 1/3 of the damages sought.

Joseph has represented two Consultant Psychiatrists in separate negligence claims brought against them, with both claims valued in excess of £20 million.

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