T he High Court showdown between Hollywood stars Johnny Depp and Amber Heard saw some of Britain’s top legal minds do battle over the course of 16 action-packed days this summer.

As megastar Depp waved to his crowds of fans from the steps of the Royal Courts of Justice each day, the leader of his expensively-assembled legal team, David Sherborne, was never far behind.

Sherborne is no stranger to the spotlight, with a legacy of headline-grabbing legal wins and a rostrum of celebrity clients including the Duchess of Sussex, Depp’s ex Kate Moss, and Sir Elton John.

Sherborne – set to do battle for Coleen Rooney in the ‘Wagatha Christie’ trial and reportedly with Hugh Grant and Harry Styles on speed-dial – is known for his jovial style in and out of court, as well as his ever-present tan and immaculately coiffed hair.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard at High Court: July 2020 1 /105 Johnny Depp and Amber Heard at High Court: July 2020 Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on the first day .Jeremy Selwyn Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on the first day PA Johnny Depp on the first day of his libel trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN) AFP via Getty Images Amber Heard with her sister Whitney Heard on the first day Johnny Depp's libel case PA Johnny Depp wearing a face covering AFP via Getty Images) Johnny Depp (right) being cross-examined by Sasha Wass QC (left) before the judge, Mr Justice Nicol, at the High Court on 7 July PA Amber Heard waves as she arrives at the High Court on the second day PA Johnny Depp arrives on the second day of the hearing his libel case Reuters AFP via Getty Images PA Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images PA Getty Images Johnny Depp (L) arrives on the third day of his libel trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN), at the High Court on 9 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 9 July Reuters Photo showing Amber Heard injury alleged to have been caused by Johnny Depp An image Heard said was taken after this incident, showing a bruise on her arm. Lines of cocaine on a table that were allegedly taken by actor Johnny Depp PA An image of Johnny Depp apparently passed out on the floor Amber Heard and Bianca Butti leave the Royal Courts of Justice on 9 July Getty Images Amber Heard (R) arrives on the third day of the libel trial by her former husband US actor Johnny Depp against News Group Newspapers (NGN), at the High Court on 9 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 9 July AP Amber Heard arrives on the third day of the libel trial by her former husband US actor Johnny Depp against News Group Newspapers (NGN), at the High Court on 9 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp photo spilt ice cream photo referred to in court Amber Heard American actor Johnny Depp gestures to the media as he arrives at the High Court on 13 July AP Amber Heard's pet teacup Yorkshire Terriers Pistol and Boo which has been referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court in London PA One of the pictures shown in court Actor Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 14 July PA Johnny Depp with injuries allegedly sustained from Amber Heard during an incident in Los Angeles PA Amber Heard being questioned by Sasha Wass QC as she gives evidence at the High Court in London on 20 July Elizabeth Cook/PA Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 20 July AP Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on Monday where she is due to give evidence against former husband Johnny Depp on 20 July PA Amber Heard image which has been referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court on 20 July PA Johnny Depp arrives at Royal Courts of Justice on 21 July Getty Images Amber Heard with a bruising on her face, which was referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court in London PA Amber Heard being cross examined by Eleanor Laws QC as she gives evidence at the High Court in London during a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton on 21 July PA Amber Heard with a friend, which was referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton PA Amber Heard arrives at the High Court in London for a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton on 21 July PA Johnny Depp leaves the High Court in London following a hearing in his libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton PA Video deposition of Amber Heard in US proceedings, which was referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court PA Johnny Depp with a cast on his hand PA Amber Heard leaves the High Court in London following a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton PA Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on Wednesday morning for a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton on 22 July PA Actress Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on 22 July AP Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on Wednesday morning for a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton on 22 July Getty Images PA PA PA PA PA PA PA Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on 23 July Reuters Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 23 July REUTERS Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 23 July PA Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on 23 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 23 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 23 July Getty Images Amber Heard with her girlfriend Bianca Butti arrive at the Royal Courts of Justice on 24 July Getty Images Amber Heard arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice on 24 July Getty Images Amber Heard arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice on 24 July Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images REUTERS PA AFP via Getty Images REUTERS Getty Images AFP via Getty Images SplashNews.com PA REUTERS AFP via Getty Images REUTERS SplashNews.com REUTERS

It was Sherborne, a libel specialist, who delivered the final flourish of Depp’s case, arguing the star had “lost everything” in the wake of Heard’s explosive domestic violence claims.

But it was a criminal barrister, Eleanor Laws QC, who was charged with quizzing the Aquaman star on the details of the abuse allegation on which the case rested.

Less flashy than Sherborne, Laws is nonetheless one of the country’s top defence barristers who specialised in representing “high profile individuals in the entertainment industry, sports, and politics” to try to stop criminal charges being brought against them.

She recently secured an acquittal on a sexual assault charge against an aide to former MP Michael Fallon, and has also been involved in the cases of footballer Ched Evans and disgraced sports coach Barry Bennell.

Watching from the sidelines was Depp’s American lawyer Adam Waldman, who had to be warned about his enthusiastic Twitter commentary on the case when accused of making a veiled threat about a witness.

Fighting for The Sun was media law expert Adam Wolanski QC and Sasha Wass QC, a criminal barrister in her first libel trial as went head-to-head with Depp over the course of a week.

A leader in her field, it was Wass who brought disgraced entertainer Rolf Harris to justice by exposing his ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ character.

Amber Heard was the star witness in the closing stages of the titanic legal battle, but was also ever-present during the trial as intimate details of her volatile marriage came spilling out.

She was accompanied to court each day by sister Whitney, girlfriend Bianca Butti, as well as Jennifer Robinson, her barrister from human rights chambers Doughty Street who is current locked in the battle to free Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

The celebrity supporting acts – Depp’s exes Winona Ryder and Vanessa Paradis, actors James Franco and Paul Bettany, and billionaire Elon Musk – did not grace the court in the end, leaving the stage empty for the top legal minds to seize the limelight.