Robin Shaw acted for publisher in Stig identity case

Who? Robin Shaw, 51, media litigation partner in the contentious rights department at London firm Davenport Lyons.

Why is he in the news? Acted for publishers Harper Collins in a legal action brought against it by the BBC. The broadcaster failed in its attempt to obtain an injunction preventing publication of the autobiography of former Formula Three driver Ben Collins, in which Collins revealed himself as the man behind the Stig character in the TV series Top Gear.

The BBC claimed Collins breached confidentiality agreements, and said it had brought the action because it was ‘vital to protect the character of the Stig, which ultimately belongs to the licence fee payer’. It said the matter may still be pursued to trial.

Thoughts on the case: ‘I am used to opposing injunctions brought by celebrities trying to restrain the media from publishing stories. Opposing them can be expensive, but it has to be done to protect freedom of expression.

‘In this case, it was the BBC – which you would expect to be a guardian of free speech – that wanted the injunction. Odd, and a huge waste of licence payers’ money.’

Dealing with the media: ‘There was huge media interest – Top Gear is a very popular TV programme – but the hearing was held in private and the reasons are to be given in a private judgment. There wasn’t much for the media to get their teeth into.’