Thomson Heath Jenkins, the law firm that represented Prince Harry and six other high-profile claimants in their unsuccessful privacy case against the publisher of the Daily Mail, has entered insolvency and closed its offices. The firm, known as a specialist media law practice, reportedly enlisted insolvency practitioners to manage the winding down of the business.
The seven claimants — including Sir Elton John, Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, model Liz Hurley, and actress Sadie Frost — had brought claims involving allegations of phone hacking, landline tapping, car tracking, and other invasive methods allegedly used by journalists and private investigators working for Associated Newspapers. Following an 11-week trial in the High Court concluding in July, all 97 allegations were dismissed in a decisive ruling. The judge described the journalists involved as credible and truthful, while dismissing the claimants’ case as speculative and unreasonable.
Prince Harry characterized the judgment as “a complete and obvious whitewash,” and although the claimants missed the opportunity to appeal within the prescribed deadline, the possibility of further legal action remains unclear amid the firm’s closure. The court imposed a costs bill of up to £34.5 million against the claimants, with the judge granting an unusual indemnity costs order in August, requiring them to pay additional legal fees due to the “highly unreasonable” nature of their case.
Sources familiar with Thomson Heath Jenkins indicated that the failed litigation dominated much of the firm’s workload, with the case pursued on a "no win, no fee" basis. This financial arrangement meant that upon losing the case, the firm was unable to recover its legal fees, contributing to its financial difficulties and ultimate insolvency. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) stated it is monitoring the situation and liaising with the firm, but added that it will only take regulatory action if clients’ interests are threatened. Reports suggest the firm has conducted an orderly closure and client matters were being managed to avoid disruption.
Thomson Heath Jenkins was established in 2009 by Mark Thomson, a lawyer with extensive experience in media and privacy law, including early phone hacking cases against major publishers such as News of the World and Mirror Group Newspapers. The firm had a reputation for representing well-known figures in privacy disputes, including Keira Knightley, Naomi Campbell, and Lily Allen.
The collapse of Thomson Heath Jenkins raises questions about the future of similar privacy claims, as legal representatives may be reluctant to take on cases perceived as high risk following this outcome. Whether the demise of the firm will affect any ongoing or potential appeals by Prince Harry and his co-claimants remains uncertain. Both Mark Thomson and the firm were contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of reporting.