Spear’s Review

A specialist in defamation, privacy, data protection, harassment and breach of confidence, Payne Hicks Beach’s Hanna Basha has acted in a number of landmark cases in her impressive career. 

She secured one of the highest-ever damages awards in an ‘offer of amends’ case and was part of the team representing Naomi Campbell in her high-profile privacy claim against the Mirror – still seen as one of the most significant developments in the privacy law space. In 2024, Basha successfully acted for ex-No. 10 policy adviser Nick Hargrave in a defamation claim brought against him.

Basha, who was shortlisted for Reputation Lawyer of the Year at the 2025 Spear’s Awards, encourages clients to take solace in the fact that while it may be the first time that they themselves are facing an attack on their reputation and privacy, ‘for us, it’s what we do all day, every day.’

‘It’s like when you are buying a house: it can be stressful, but when you go to the right people, they will guide you through the process.’

Adviser Profile

Hanna is highly experienced in media and crisis management, advising clients on swift and effective strategies to prevent and respond to serious reputational threats. Hanna is known for her ability to manage media storms calmly, empathetically and decisively. She is a recognised leader in the fields of defamation, privacy and breach of confidence, with extensive experience acting in High Court litigation. She also advises on regulatory, employment and general litigation matters where reputation is key and has acted in high-profile inquests, disciplinary proceedings and sports disputes. Chambers UK describes her as ‘exceptional’, while The Legal 500 UK praises her as ‘first rate’ and ‘highly knowledgeable’.