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
Huge effort, attention to detail and great concern for their clients.
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
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Source
The Simkins music team has almost unrivalled sector expertise - there is nothing they don't know about music law! They have a stellar client list, ranging from emerging talent to global icons, and from self-releasing artists and composers to the major record labels and publishers and the UK music collective management organisations. They are able to provide high-quality, pragmatic, commercial advice on the knottiest of issues.
Legal 500
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
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

News & Insights

Spear's Reputation Lawyers

Four Simkins lawyers recognised in Spear’s Reputation Lawyers Index 2026

Cinema seats

Film and TV Briefing: Friday 20 February 2026

Clapperboard and popcorn

Film and TV Briefing: Friday 13 February 2026

Spilt milk

Oat milk isn't milk: Supreme Court upholds ban on drink-maker Oatly using the term “milk” to promote its products