Paul Tweed
{{Short description|International lawyer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Paul Tweed
| image =
| alt = A portrait of Paul Tweed
| birth_date = 1955
| birth_place = Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland
| occupation = International Media Lawyer, Litigator and Mediator
}}
Paul Tweed (born 1955) born in Northern Ireland, is an international lawyer with offices in Belfast, Dublin and London.{{cite web|url=https://www.wptweed.com|title= WP Tweed & Co|work=www.wptweed.com}} He is listed in Chambers Legal Guide as a leading lawyer in the field of Defamation and Reputation Management. He is described by Chambers as "synonymous with this type of work" and as a “real legend in this field and a name that everyone knows”.{{Cite web|url=https://chambers.com/lawyer/paul-tweed-uk-1:42806|title = Paul Tweed}}
He has been described as one of the most feared defamation lawyers in the world, having represented the likes of Harrison Ford, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Liam Neeson, Britney Spears, Ashton Kutcher, and Uri Geller{{Cite web|url=https://graziamagazine.com/articles/exclusive-meet-the-most-powerful-man-in-hollywood-who-lives-in-belfast/|title = Exclusive: Meet the Most Powerful Man in Hollywood (Who Lives in Belfast)}} as well as many others from the worlds of politics, music, film, entertainment and sport.
Having made his name taking action against traditional media outlets, he has since sought to challenge social media corporations, calling for increased regulation of these corporations, many of which have their European headquarters in Ireland.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/world/europe/facebook-libel-paul-tweed.html|title=Is Facebook Just a Platform? A Lawyer to the Stars Says No|newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 May 2018|last1=Kirkpatrick|first1=David D.}}
Early life and education
Born in Bangor, County Down, Tweed attended Bangor Grammar School and Queen's University Belfast where he read Law.{{cite web|url=http://www.legal500.com/firms/5012/offices/8481/lawyers/17048|title=The Legal 500|work=legal500.com}} After attaining his LLB, he attended the Institute of Professional Legal Studies where he qualified as a solicitor in 1978. He joined the Belfast firm Johnsons the same year he qualified and was made partner in 1983. In 2017, Tweed set up TWEED,{{cite web |url=http://www.tweedlaw.co.uk/ |title=Gateley Tweed |date= |website=tweedlaw.co.uk}} an international boutique law firm with offices in Belfast, Dublin and London. The firm provided a bespoke international approach specialising in media law and commercial litigation matters. In 2020, the firm was acquired by Gateley for £2 million and rebranded as Gateley Tweed.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishlegal.com/article/paul-tweed-s-media-law-firm-snapped-up-by-gateley-in-2m-deal|title=Paul Tweed's media law firm snapped up by Gateley in £2m deal|date=3 March 2020|accessdate=4 March 2020|publisher=Irish Legal News}}
Notable cases
One of Tweed's earliest libel actions of note was against the Sunday World over the reporting of two local senior barristers fighting over a chocolate eclair in a Holywood cake shop. The case was contested in front of a Belfast jury who awarded both men £50,000 each.{{cite web|url=http://sluggerotoole.com/2013/08/08/from-cream-buns-to-hollywood-paul-tweed-talking-about-his-career-and-libel-reform/|title=From Cream Buns to Hollywood: Paul Tweed talking about his career and libel reform|work=Slugger O'Toole}}
In 1992 he represented the plaintiff in the case of Barney Eastwood v Barry McGuigan which resulted in the highest libel award in Northern Irish history.{{cite web|url=http://www.chambersandpartners.com/uk/person/42806/paul-tweed|title=Paul Tweed|work=chambersandpartners.com|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-date=12 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212142158/http://www.chambersandpartners.com/uk/person/42806/paul-tweed|url-status=dead}}
He acted for former QC and politician Robert McCartney in a settlement that resulted in McCartney receiving £80,000 in damages on the eve of the 1997 election.{{cite web|url=http://www.jamsinternational.com/panellist/paul-tweed|title=Paul Tweed, JAMS International, media lawyer, mediator and arbitrator|work=jamsinternational.com}}
Tweed has represented Liam Neeson, Britney Spears,{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2452034|title=Video|website=ABC News}} Jennifer Lopez, Justin Timberlake,{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/oct/21/justin-timberlake-jessica-biel-heat-lawsuit|title = Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel settle Heat lawsuit|website = TheGuardian.com|date = 21 October 2014}} Kelsey Grammer, Nicolas Cage,{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-19803213 | publisher=BBC News | title=Nicolas Cage receives damages and apology over online story | date=2 October 2012}} Harrison Ford, Chris de Burgh, Neil Jordan, Uri Geller,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12964841|title=BBC News Libel lawyer Paul Tweed's work for Uri Geller on TV|publisher=BBC News | date=5 April 2011}} Patrick Kielty, Colin Farrell, Keith Duffy, The Corrs, Ashton Kutcher, Johnny Depp and Sylvester Stallone.
In 2014 he represented X Factor judge and band manager Louis Walsh in which Walsh was awarded €500,000 in damages from The Sun for a libellous headline.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20524505|title=BBC News X Factor judge Louis Walsh settles 500,000 euro defamation case|publisher=BBC News | date=28 November 2012}}
He has also represented newspapers including The Sunday Times, The Irish News and Penguin.
Tweed has also acted for journalists including litigation for Irish Independent reporter Gemma O'Doherty with other reported cases including Liam Clarke and Susanne Breen.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-12665116|title=BBC News Suzanne Breen wins libel settlement from the NUJ|publisher=BBC News | date=7 March 2011}}
He has also been involved in multiple defamation actions against UK and US-based internet book distributors, requiring the issue of the largest number of Writs in respect of the publication of one book.{{cite web|url=http://www.jamsadr.com/tweed/|title=JAMS Arbitration, Mediation, and ADR Services – Mediators/Arbitrators – Neutrals – Paul Tweed|work=jamsadr.com}}
Media appearances
Tweed is a regular contributor on media law issues in both printed, online and television journalism. He has made many appearances on UK and International news services such as the BBC, UTV, Ireland AM,{{cite web|url=http://www.tv3.ie/ireland_am_video.php?locID=1.65.74&video=86538|title=Paul Tweed|work=tv3.ie}} Al Jazeera,{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2012/09/201291994613398860.html|title=Should limits be placed on free expression?|author=Inside Story|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222091304/http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2012/09/201291994613398860.html|url-status=dead}} and Bloomberg News.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/video/new-strategies-struggle-to-combat-video-piracy-VFHoiPP1QiamAA~hcM50jg.html|title=New Strategies Struggle to Combat Video Piracy|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.}}
His acting for magician Uri Gellar against CNN and The Sun and Richard O'Donovan and Forbes was the subject of the BBC documentary See You in Court which was broadcast in 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b010640d|title=BBC One – See You in Court|publisher=BBC}}
He has also addressed the Oxford Union{{cite web|url=http://www.no37.co.uk/news/felicity-gerry-qc-oxford-union-debate|title=Felicity Gerry QC Oxford Union Debate|work=37 Park Square|access-date=12 February 2015|archive-date=12 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212151916/http://www.no37.co.uk/news/felicity-gerry-qc-oxford-union-debate|url-status=dead}} and Feile an Phobail in Belfast, as well as various International Bar Associations and business groups.{{Cite web |url=http://www.feilebelfast.com/wp-content/themes/phobail2013/Feile-2013.pdf |title=Féile 25 |access-date=18 February 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924011646/http://www.feilebelfast.com/wp-content/themes/phobail2013/Feile-2013.pdf |url-status=dead }}
Recognition and memberships
Tweed has been listed as the top tier (Band 1) lawyers in both Defamation/Reputation Management and Media & Entertainment fields of the Chambers and Partners guide."
He has also addressed the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the draft Defamation Bill and the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee on the Defamation Act 2013.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/northern-ireland-23067031|title=BBC Democracy Live – Committee is briefed on possible changes to libel law|work=BBC Democracy Live|date=26 June 2013}}
He is listed in Chambers Directory as a media and professional indemnity lawyer, a member of the Ministry of Justice Defamation and other Judicial Committees, Member of the Law Society of England and Wales, 1993, Member the Law Society of Ireland, 1999, Member of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, 1978, is registered as a Foreign Legal Consultant, California State Bar and JAMS (alternative dispute resolution).
Publishing
In late 2024, Paul Tweed published his memoir 'From Holywood to Hollywood: My Life as an International Libel Lawyer to the Rich and Famous'.{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Holywood-Hollywood-International-Lawyer-Famous/dp/1785375210|title = From Holywood to Hollywood: My Life as an International Libel Lawyer to the Rich and Famous}} He also published Privacy and Libel Law; The Clash With Press Freedom in 2012.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/privacy-and-libel-law-9781847669025/|title = Privacy and Libel Law}} He is also a regular contributor to publications such as Huffington Post,{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/paul-tweed/|title=Paul Tweed|work=HuffPost}} The Guardian{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2012/nov/27/lord-mcalpine-twitter-libel|title=Lord McAlpine and the high cost of tweeting gossip|author=Paul Tweed|work=The Guardian|date=27 November 2012}} and The Global Legal Post.{{cite web|url=http://www.globallegalpost.com/profile/paul-tweed/|title=Paul Tweed|work=globallegalpost.com}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.wptweed.com/]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tweed, Paul}}
Category:Solicitors from Northern Ireland
Category:People educated at Bangor Grammar School
Category:Alumni of Queen's University Belfast
Category:People from Bangor, County Down
Category:Lawyers from County Down
Category:20th-century Irish lawyers