Ashley is a commercial litigator and crisis manager. His core skill is developing strategies to solve critical business problems in crisis situations and disputes relating to reputation, information, technology and data. 

Ashley's work includes:

  • Advising on complex data breaches and cyber-attacks - often playing the “quarterback” role or “breach coach” role and leading on subsequent investigations and litigation, including group actions.
  • Advising on regulatory investigations and enforcement arising from complaints of business wrongdoing.
  • Managing and advising on corporate investigations, for example arising from whistleblower reports.
  • Advising on business protection cases where competitors or employees misuse confidential information or use aggressive business tactics to cause damage.
  • Advising businesses and HNW in relation to hostile journalism and/or online attacks and blackmail.
  • Advising on parliamentary select committee investigations and public inquiries.
  • Advising internet platforms on intermediary liability issues, including in relation to AI-generated content.

Ashley advises across all sectors but has a particular focus on companies in the Technology, Media, and Retail sectors. Whilst he typically acts for large, international companies, he also enjoys acting for fast-growth start-ups and disruptors, helping them to overcome barriers to growth.

Clients often call Ashley in times of crisis, which makes for a fast-paced and varied practice. He has an ability to cut to the heart of a complex problem, distil it in simple terms, and assemble the right team of experts to devise practical solutions and help clients to make sound decisions under pressure.

Ashley is also passionate about helping both Osborne Clarke and its clients to do things more efficiently and maximise the opportunity around AI.

Examples of Ashley's work in the public domain include:

  • Acting for Revolut in a high profile "de-banking" case where a high net worth individual sought to use data protection and contract law to challenge the termination of his account.
  • Acting for Police Federation in a data protection group action brought by 20,000 police officers following a cyber-attack.
  • Acting for Wise in defending High Court data protection proceedings by a high net worth individual following the filing of a suspicious activity report.  
  •  Acting for ITV in successfully defending libel proceedings brought by a convicted murderer in relation to a documentary about the murder.
  • Advising a global company and its CEO in relation to an appearance before a Parliamentary Select Committee in relation to employment practices.
  • Acting for LexisNexis in a landmark case under the GDPR concerning the operation of Article 27 representatives.  
  • Acting for Appleby on high profile breach of confidence proceedings brought against the BBC and The Guardian in relation to media use of the "Paradise Papers".
  • Acting for News Corp in relation to multiple aspects of the phone-hacking crisis, including managing group litigation, advising in relation to Parliamentary select committee inquiries, and setting up the compensation scheme (previous firm). 
     

"Ashley Hurst is brilliant, he is very connected in the TMT world. No hesitation, he is our go-to adviser on policy-related tech matters. He is a fully rounded adviser."

Chambers & Partners

Ashley in ranked as a leading lawyer in Chambers and the Legal 500 for Crisis Management, Defamation/Reputation Management, and Data Protection.

Ashley has held various leadership roles at Osborne Clarke, including International Head of TMT (2017-2022) and Head of Client Strategy on the UK Board (2022/2025).

Media and information law expert Ashley Hurst – ‘who is destined to be at the top of the profession for a long time‘ – assists major tech and media companies, as well as high-profile individuals.

Legal 500

Helping you succeed in tomorrow's world

Clients tend to call me in times of crisis, which makes for a fast-paced and varied practice. My best skill is probably an ability to cut to the heart of a complex problem, distil it in simple terms, and assemble the right team of experts to devise practical solutions and help clients to make sound decisions under pressure.

I'm also passionate about helping both Osborne Clarke and its clients to do things more efficiently and communicate more clearly using technology.

"Ashley Hurst is an outstanding cyber lawyer."

Chambers & Partners

The Paradise Papers

Advised Appleby in relation to its high profile litigation against The BBC and The Guardian in relation to the Paradise Papers.

Phone Hacking Crisis

Played a central role in advising News Corp in relation to the phone-hacking crisis, including defending group action litigation, establishing a compensation scheme, and navigating through the early stages of the crisis.

Ransom attack

Acting for a well-known retailer in relation to a ransom attack, leading the crisis response and dealing with the regulatory and litigation consequences.

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