Alan Watts, a partner at Herbert Smith, has just successfully negotiated a settlement on behalf of clients, including Marco Benatti, of three actions. They included a well-publicised libel case brought by Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of WPP, the media and advertising group, and Daniela Weber, a senior executive in WPP Italy. This was the first case involving libel on a blog.

What were the challenges case and the possible implications?

It involved taking two separate claims (the privacy and libel claims) to trial in less than ten months and involved expert evidence on forensic computing analysis, Italian and French privacy laws as well as more than 15 witnesses for the defendants, many of whom could not speak English particularly well (and my Italian is nonexistent).

It also showed that the risk of libel cases, particularly perhaps in relation to blogs, is that they will end up with the words complained of being read by a much larger audience.

What was your worst day as a lawyer?

When I acted for Sir Alan Sugar against Terry Venables and was being abused by the Tottenham fans every day as I came into court. It became so bad that after lunch one day I walked into court with Terry Venables and told him I was doing so only because I wanted to see what it was like being cheered rather than booed.

What was your most memorable experience as a lawyer?

Winning the case for Virgin Radio against Chris Evans. Not only was it a hard-fought and prominent case but it has also ensured that I have received VIP tickets to the V Festival for the past four years.

Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?

My wife, Kirsty, my late mother and one partner at Herbert Smith (who will remain nameless for fear of inflating his ego, save to say that I think I have repaid him as he has now become senior partner and, as I like to think, his elevated status is in no small part based on the work I did for him).

Why did you become a lawyer?

Good question and one I ask myself from time to time. I decided when I went to university that I did not want to do any of the subjects I had done at school — so I decided to do law.

What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?

It’s not quite as American films and television programmes portray it. Not every case is won by someone running in from the back of the courtroom at the last minute with the vital piece of evidence, nor are all lawyers extremely good-looking — difficult to believe bearing in mind the above picture, I know.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Either still at Herbert Smith or alternatively hosting the legal equivalent of The Apprentice, probably called The Trainee and involving tasks such as getting 25 boxes of files to court for 10.15am, or working out how to produce double-sided copies on the photocopier.

l_tsang@hotmail.com

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