Paddy Gardiner is head of Simkins’ disputes group. He handles disputes across a range of sectors, particularly in the media and entertainment industries, including: breach of contract, professional negligence and shareholder claims; complex copyright and trade mark infringement claims; injunction proceedings; and proceedings in the Copyright, Tax and Competition Appeals Tribunals.
Paddy has litigated many disputes through to trial, although where possible he seeks to settle them through alternative dispute resolution. He deploys a sensible, pragmatic and cost-effective approach for clients. He has represented both corporates and high net worth individuals, including PRS for Music, Sir Elton John, U2, PPL and the Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley estates.
Paddy is recommended in the Chambers UK 2025 Guide for ‘Music: Contentious’, with the Guide describing him as “immensely experienced” and a “go-to lawyer”. He is also recognised in The Legal 500 UK 2025 for both music and intellectual property disputes, which describes him as “one of the top copyright and music litigators in the UK” and “a dream lawyer for any client: clever, pleasant, even-tempered and consistent.”
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.
They are experts in their field, provide very focused and commercial advice and are responsive to tight deadlines.
High standards, good division of practices. In addition to the firm’s specialities, it acts as a “one-stop shop” where sensible so that the client can simply pick up the phone and get things done.
A very practical and sensible lawyer with a great deal of experience in the music sector.
Direct and commercially astute.
He's very sharp, very commercially minded in his approach and aggressive when he needs to be.
Particularly esteemed for his work in music copyright infringement cases, the "excellent" Gardiner is singled out for praise by observers as "a very bright litigator."
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