Yair Cohen
Meet Yair
Yair Cohen is the founder and Director of Cohen Davis Solicitors and the firm’s most senior legal strategist. Admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales in 1997, Yair has built a career spanning both criminal and civil litigation. He practised criminal law for 12 years, developing extensive advocacy experience and conducting serious and complex cases before turning his primary focus to internet and reputation law. His grounding in criminal practice continues to inform his strategic and forensic approach, and he still undertakes select criminal matters today where his expertise is particularly suited.
With a background in web development and e-commerce dating back to the early days of the commercial internet, he brought rare technical insight into legal practice and established one of the first dedicated internet law firms in the United Kingdom. Under his leadership, Cohen Davis has become a market leader in online defamation, privacy, harassment and digital rights litigation.
Areas of Expertise
Yair is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading authorities on internet and social media law. His practice focuses on defamation, harassment, misuse of private information, data protection and reputation management. He acts for private individuals, entrepreneurs, professionals, companies and high-profile clients facing online attacks, malicious falsehoods and coordinated harassment campaigns.
Known for his strategic and innovative approach, Yair has been at the forefront of adapting traditional legal remedies to the realities of the digital world. He has extensive experience in obtaining urgent injunctions, Norwich Pharmacal disclosure orders against technology platforms, and cross-border relief in matters involving anonymous perpetrators. His cases frequently involve novel points of law and jurisdictional challenges, reflecting the evolving nature of online disputes.
Yair’s expertise has been recognised nationally and internationally. He has appeared on Sky News, the BBC and other major broadcasters to comment on issues relating to online abuse, free speech and digital regulation. His work has been widely reported in the national and legal press, and he is frequently described as a pioneer in the field of internet law.
Beyond his legal practice, Yair supports charitable and community initiatives through regular donations and focus on combating online abuse to protect vulnerable individuals. Through pro bono work, public speaking and advocacy, he continues to promote safer online environments and access to justice for those affected by digital misconduct.
Notable Cases
Nicola Brookes v Persons Unknown: Acted in the landmark High Court case that resulted in the first successful order compelling Facebook to disclose identifying information about anonymous online harassers. The case established an important precedent in unmasking internet trolls and marked a turning point in online harassment litigation.
DDF v YYZ: Successfully obtained a privacy and harassment injunction served via Instagram against an anonymous defendant, reflecting the court’s willingness to modernise service methods in response to social media-based abuse.
Lindsey Goldrick Dean v Paul Curran: Represented the claimant in one of the longest-running harassment campaigns in the UK, securing findings of harassment and demonstrating the court’s robust approach to sustained online abuse.
David Paisley v Graham Linehan: Acted for actor and activist David Paisley in High Court defamation proceedings concerning statements published on social media, reinforcing legal protections against defamatory online commentary.
TJM v Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police: Represented a Royal Marine officer in a significant defamation and privacy claim arising from allegations made by a police force, contributing to legal clarity in claims involving public authorities.
Sweet Bobby (Kirat Assi): Acted in the widely publicised catfishing case involving prolonged online deception and harassment, a matter that attracted international media attention and highlighted the legal remedies available to victims of complex digital abuse.
