DAC calls in Mathieson to spearhead media side

A leading defamation specialist, Keith Mathieson, has left Oswald Hickson Collier to build up the media practice at Davies Arnold Cooper.

He joins the commercial litigation department as a partner and has brought his assistant solicitor Kirsty Watt with him.

Mathieson advises mainly on libel, copyright, passing off, confidentiality and contempt of court. He is believed to be bringing a number of major media clients with him.

He is also joining the firm with several plaintiff libel actions against national newspapers in tow.

Mathieson, who was with Lovell White Durrant before Oswald Hickson, said of his move: "I wanted to be back in a bigger firm with the support and resources that bigger firms are able to offer. There are good opportunities for me to develop the insurance side which is what Davies Arnold Cooper is best known for."

He said his departure had been wholly amicable.

DAC senior partner David McIntosh said: "It's a big asset for DAC to have attracted Keith. His media expertise will be a considerable boost for the commercial litigation department."