Film & TV

We were one of the first UK law firms to specialise in the film and TV business and our advice draws on many years of experience.

Key contacts
Overview

We advise on all the legal and related issues involved in the development, production and exploitation of feature films and television programmes, and the carriage of content through both traditional and newer methods of distribution.

We pride ourselves on always giving comprehensive, practical and relevant advice that is steeped in our knowledge of the industry and meets our clients’ commercial needs.

Many of our lawyers have in-house experience and really understand the pressure on production companies, producers, executives and in-house lawyers. Our clients range from individual producers and production companies to banks and other financiers, distributors and exhibitors, broadcasters, and talent. We have experience in all genres, including drama, factual and animation, and we are happy working at all budget levels.  

Expertise

Our areas of expertise include the following:

  • Drafting and advising on option agreements and development deals
  • Writers agreements
  • First look deals
  • Advising on structuring co-productions
  • Advising on international co-production treaties, including tax incentives, subsidies and grants
  • Shareholder agreements
  • Joint ventures and EIS
  • Equity finance and bank financing (both pre-sales and debt)
  • Drafting and negotiating all talent agreements, including director, producer, artist and composer agreements
  • Chain of title and E&O and clearance reports
  • Advising on sales agency agreements and distribution deals
  • Advising on all aspects of carriage and regulations, including Ofcom channel applications, VOD notifications, content and Ofcom codes
  • Carriage deals for cable, satellite, IPTV and mobile

KEY CONTACT

KEY CONTACTS

Our lawyers have in-depth knowledge of the film and TV business and deliver high-quality, pragmatic and commercial advice.

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Source
Quality and the feeling you have the best people on your team.
Legal 500
Simkins have an excellent media practice constantly evolving with the changes in our industry.
Legal 500
They take a sensible pragmatic approach to a contentious situation. Their legal analysis of the issue is good and they provide a number of options to me as the client as to how to move forward.
Legal 500
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Source
Clients appreciate Jonathan's ability to "cut through really complex commercial agreements."
Chambers & Partners
Jonathan Blair is "intuitive, strategic and emotionally intelligent - he thinks in 360 degrees."
Chambers & Partners
Jonathan is an "incredibly skilled lawyer and business affairs adviser."
Chambers & Partners

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