GARY NEVILLE CALLS ON KUITS AND SCHILLINGS TO CLEAR HIS GIRLFRIEND’S NAME

Word Version

24th May 2005

Manchester based law firm, Kuit Steinart Levy and Schillings from London have joined together to win an apology from The Sun newspaper for their client Emma Hadfield, girlfriend of Manchester United and England footballer, Gary Neville.

Kuits was called upon for help by Ms Hadfield following articles printed in The Sun on 4 and 5 August 2004, which alleged that she had been unfaithful to Mr Neville whilst he was in Portugal representing England in the European Championship.

Vehemently denying the allegations, Ms Hadfield sought an immediate correction and apology from the newspaper, but when this was not forthcoming she was forced to issue libel proceedings. Kuits, which has a strong reputation in sports law having worked with a number of Premiership football clubs and high profile sports professionals, introduced Rachel Atkins of reputation management lawyers, Schillings in London and the two firms worked closely together over nine months in preparation for a trial in June.

Today, one month ahead of the trial, The Sun’s publisher News Group Newspapers Ltd. has admitted that there was no truth in the allegations and no justification for printing them. They have agreed to print a prominent apology in the newspaper and to pay Ms Hadfield substantial damages and all legal costs.

Kuit Steinart Levy has now worked on three cases for Premiership footballers with Schillings. Working on this case for Kuits were Partners Robert Levy and Robert Buckley. The advantage, says Robert Levy, Executive Partner with the firm, is that the client can have access to high level advice in Manchester, whilst tapping into the specialist reputation management expertise of Schillings in London:

“Kuits’ philosophy is to provide the best service to its clients by utilising the best brains from both within the firm and from other specialist firms where necessary to deliver the best result for the client. Schillings is our preferred reputation management partner and we have enjoyed a 100% record of success in the matters we have handled together. In my view this could not have been achieved without the high level of teamwork and trust which has become established between our two firms.”

Rachel Atkins of Schillings added: “Working with Kuits has been a complete success. Not only have we enjoyed working together, we have benefited from their support and knowledge and good teamwork has produced the right results.”


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For further information please contact:
Sue Harris
P: 0161 838 7898
F: 0161 838 8105
sueharris@kuits.com