Right To Be Forgotten Lawyers - Why Choose a Solicitor

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When it comes to removing damaging content from search engines, not all services are equal. There is a significant difference between a solicitor-led service and an unregulated content removal company — and that difference matters enormously when your reputation is at stake.

Solicitor vs content removal company: the key differences

What matters to you	Cohen Davis Solicitors SRA Regulated	Typical content removal company
SRA regulated Legally accountable to the Solicitors Regulation Authority	✓	✗
Legal professional privilege Your communications are legally protected	✓	✗
Expert ICO strategy — knows when and how to use it Legal advice on whether an ICO complaint is in your interest, and how to argue it effectively	✓	✗
Can litigate in court Issue proceedings, obtain injunctions, pursue damages	✓	✗
Handles complex & high-profile cases Defamation, harassment, privacy breaches, litigation	✓	✗
20+ years specialist experience Established internet law practice since 2002	✓	✗
Transparent, fixed-fee pricing You know what you pay before work begins	✓	Varies
Free initial assessment Review your case with no charge and no obligation	✓	Sometimes

Why regulation matters

Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). This means we are held to strict professional and ethical standards, carry professional indemnity insurance, and can be held accountable if things go wrong. Content removal companies have no equivalent regulation — there is no governing body, no insurance requirement, and no recourse if they take your money and fail to deliver.

Beyond accountability, solicitor-client communications carry legal professional privilege — meaning they are legally protected and cannot be disclosed in proceedings. This protection does not apply when you instruct a non-solicitor firm.

When does it matter most?

For straightforward removal requests — a single outdated news article, a forum post — a reputable content removal company may in some cases be adequate. But if any of the following apply to your situation, solicitor involvement is not just advisable: it may be essential.

The content is defamatory or could support a claim for damages
The publisher is refusing to remove it and litigation may be necessary
You want strategic advice on whether going to the ICO is actually in your interest — and how to argue it effectively if so
You are a public figure or the matter is high-profile
The content has been republished across multiple sites
There is a harassment or criminal context
You need an urgent injunction to prevent further publication

In all of these circumstances, a qualified solicitor brings the full range of legal tools, strategic judgement, and professional accountability needed to protect you effectively.