GREAT HALLINGBURY, England, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Renowned British libel lawyer Peter Carter-Ruck, famous for representing an "A-list" of movie stars and politicians, has died after a short illness.
He was 89.
His daughter, Julie Scott-Bayfield, said her father died in his sleep Friday at his home in Great Hallingbury, Essex, after a brief ailment.
The BBC said Carter-Ruck was renowned for his legal battles with the satirical magazine Private Eye and various national newspapers on behalf of celebrities.
He represented many celebrity clients, such as Laurence Olivier, Spike Milligan, Harold Wilson, Cary Grant, Lucian Freud and Cecil Parkinson.
In 1982 Carter-Rucket set up Peter Carter-Ruck and Partners before retiring in 1996, although he remained a partner.
Andrew Stephenson, senior partner at Carter-Ruck, paid tribute to him as a man of "great charm" with a dry sense of humor who was devoted to his family and his work.
Said Stephenson: "He always set the highest standards in terms of the service he gave to clients. It really was an outstanding example of how to conduct litigation."
