Exhibit 5.1
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                                  Calow & Co.
                                   Solicitors
                           Robin Hill, 15 Beech Road
                            Reigate, Surrey RH2 9LS



March 18, 2003



WPP Group plc
27 Farm Street
London W1J 5RJ
England

Dear Sirs:

          In connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, on Form S-8 of a maximum of 24,308,849 Ordinary Shares of 10p each
(the "Ordinary Shares") in the capital of WPP Group plc (the "Company"), a
public limited company incorporated in England under the Companies Acts
1948-1976, which may be issued by the Company to United States residents or
issued to and deposited with the Depository of the Company's American Depository
Receipts facility in respect of American Depository Shares issued to residents
of countries outside the United Kingdom, in either case pursuant to the terms of
the WPP Executive Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), I have examined the Plan and
the Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated March 18, 2003 (the "Registration
Statement"), and have reviewed such matters of English law as I have deemed
necessary for this opinion, and I advise you that in my opinion:

          The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under
the laws of England.

          The Ordinary Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms and
provisions of the Plan, will be validly issued and fully paid and no personal
liability for calls for further funds will attach to the holders thereof in
their capacity as holders of such Ordinary Shares.

          Such Opinion assumes:

1)        That the laws of England as they are today remain unchanged so far as
          relevant to the issue of Ordinary Shares;

2)        That the directors of the Company allot and issue Ordinary Shares in
          respect of which options are validly exercised under the Plan in
          accordance with the provisions of the Company's Memorandum and
          Articles of Association and such laws of England as are relevant to
          the issue of Ordinary Shares under the Plan;

3)        That there are no restrictions imposed otherwise than pursuant to
          current English law whether by contract, court order or otherwise or
          by or pursuant to any law other than English law in any case affecting
          the ability of the Company to issue Ordinary Shares;

4)        That the Company does not become insolvent, liquidated or struck-off
          the register or otherwise subject to legal disability to issue shares;

5)        That the Company has available at all times sufficient authorized but
          unissued Ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company to meet its
          obligations under the Plan and under any other arrangement pursuant to
          which third parties may call for the issue of Ordinary Shares to them.




The opinion contained herein is given with respect to the laws of England only.

          I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. I also consent to the use of my name in such
Registration Statement in the form and in the context in which it appears in the
Registration Statement attached to this letter.

                                Yours faithfully,




                                /s/ D. F. Calow
                                ------------------
                                    D. F. Calow
                                    Calow & Co.
                                    Solicitors


























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