Biography
Specialising in International, Appellate and Complex litigation, Constitutional, Human Rights, IP, Media & Regulatory work, defamation, privacy, media, art and cultural property, data protection and freedom of information, and international arbitration, Mark Stephens has undertaken some of the highest profile cases in the country and abroad. In 2011 Her Majesty the Queen appointed Stephens Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to law and the arts. Mark is also extremely active in many other areas having been appointed by the Foreign Secretary to the FCO Free Expression advisory board and the Lord Chancellor to be a Champion for the Community Legal Service. In December 2009, Mark first appeared in “Who’s Who” where he is described as “lawyer, broadcaster; writer; lecturer”. He has written and contributed to five books. Mark has been described by the ‘Law Society Gazette’ as, ‘the patron solicitor of previously lost causes’. It is this reputation for creativity with law that leads clients to his door.
Mark has created a niche in international comparative media law and regulation. His expertise also covers specialisms in Creative Arts & Cultural Industries, Human Rights, Judicial Review, Complex Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property law, Privy Council cases - Ultimate Appeal Court for parts of the Commonwealth, as well as, Regulatory Cases & Inquiries.
Mark has practiced before every level of Court in England and Wales and has also practiced abroad and before international tribunals and courts. He is also a Privy Council agent regularly working with a range of overseas lawyers. He was also President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association. Mark is also a qualified mediator. He has been retained by a number of Governments to advise and to represent their interests including, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Greece, Jamaica, Libya, Mauritius, Romania and the Russian Republic. Additionally, Mark has litigated in countries as diverse as Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Cyprus, France, India, Iraq, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Malaysia, Netherlands, Pitcairn Islands, New Zealand, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Singapore and the USA. Mark chairs a number of bodies including the Design Artists Copyright Society, Global Network Initiative, the Management Committee of the Programme in Comparative Media Law and Policy Wolfson College, Oxford Centre for Socio Legal Studies, the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation and sits on the boards of Censorship Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Human Rights Council of the International Bar Association and Internews Media Law Defence Initiative Independent Schools Inspectorate and is Hon Solicitor to Index of Censorship.
Mark regularly appears in print and on radio and television and enjoys debating.