Music

We were one of the first UK firms to specialise in the music industry. Today our music practice is one of the strongest and biggest and our reach is international.

Key contacts
Overview

We have unparalleled knowledge and a great depth of experience that we can draw upon in offering strategic and commercial advice on a wide range of activities, from contract drafting and negotiation services to undertaking advisory work and dispute resolution across the whole music industry.

Our client base is wide-ranging. It includes major record companies, international publishers, artists, bands and DJs, writers and composers, managers, producers, mixers, merchandisers, collecting societies, trade associations, digital businesses, agents, promoters and studios. We advise new artists and entrepreneurs as well as playing a part in some of the most sophisticated transactions and complex disputes in the business.

The experience of our music lawyers and the availability of other specialists within the firm gives us the unique ability to assemble at short notice dedicated multidisciplinary teams for each specific job.


Expertise

Our areas of expertise include the following:

  • Recorded music
  • Publishing
  • Management
  • Agency
  • Touring and live
  • Merchandising and licensing
  • Sponsorship and endorsement
  • Band relations
  • Digital licensing
  • Neighbouring rights
  • Collecting societies
  • Acquisitions
  • Clearances
  • Music for film & TV
  • Corporate arrangements
  • Disputes / infringements
  • Reputation protection

KEY CONTACT

KEY CONTACTS

Our lawyers have in-depth music expertise and deliver high-quality, pragmatic and commercial advice.

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Source
Highly experienced operators with the ability to think outside the box.
Chambers & Partners
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
The team are first rate, knowledgable, easy to deal with and client-friendly.
Legal 500
Block Quote
Source
Simkins is unquestionably one of the leading specialist teams in this sector. They have extensive experience and a detailed understanding of this field and the music industry generally. There are few firms who can match them.
Legal 500
They are very experienced in the unique nature of the music industry as well as being exceptional advisers on underlying law. This meeting of the legal and practical distinguishes them.
Chambers & Partners
The music team at Simkins is extraordinary in providing a holistic understanding of the legal aspects as well as best practices in the music industry.
Legal 500

News & Insights

Accounts

ECCTA 2023 - New Companies House account filing measures from April 2028

Television and mugs

Film & TV Briefing: Friday 19 June 2026

Social media

Proposed social media ban for under-16s raises enforcement and privacy concerns

Theatre

Film & TV Briefing: Friday 12 June 2026