Nadhim Zahawi and his tax SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) are back in the headlines, with lawyer conduct around reputation defence firmly in the solicitors’ regulatory body’s crosshairs.

In an article for PRWeek, Infinite Senior Content and Media Strategist Matthew Gilleard explores, from a reputational perspective, the legal and communications techniques that high-profile figures are able to deploy when faced with criticism.

“PR and communications in any context is about messaging mastery. When issues and individuals involved are high-profile, a heavier degree of scrutiny is applied to content, tone, timing, and format. In a defensive context, the risk of getting it wrong is multiplied.”

“Sometimes, a soft power approach based on considered communications, rather than the hefty threat of legal action and reputation lawfare, is the best defence.”