Gideon Benaim

Spear’s Review

Gideon Benaim is a Simkins partner and head of the firm’s reputation protection team.

Benaim’s clients include some of the wealthiest business people in the world, as well as very high-profile figures from arts and entertainment. Early in his career he worked on Naomi Campbell’s 2004 case against the Daily Mirror that established the right to privacy in English law; since then, he has continued to be involved in some of the reputation world’s landmark rulings.

In 2018 Benaim won Case of the Year at the Spear’s Awards in recognition of his landmark battle on behalf of Sir Cliff Richard in his case against the BBC and the South Yorkshire Police. The High Court ruled that the BBC infringed on the singer’s privacy in its reporting of a police raid on his home in 2014. ‘It was a case of being in the eye of the storm,’ Benaim recalled. Where possible, however, ‘preparation and prevention is the best way to deal with things’.

Benaim once again experienced success at the 2023 Spear’s Awards, where he was named Reputation Lawyer of the Year. 

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Adviser Profile

Gideon Benaim specialises in reputation protection for high-profile individuals and companies. He is the Head of Simkins’ reputation team, with over two decades of expertise in the areas of defamation, privacy, data protection, antiharassment, breach of confidence and copyright. 

Whilst the identities of clients remain a closely guarded secret, they include high-profile and HNW individuals from around the globe. Gideon is seen as a valuable member of the client’s team not only when it comes to dealing with the media, but also for crisis management, giving sound practical advice at a time where a level head is key. 

Gideon is the inaugural Chairperson of the Society of Media Lawyers.