Bringing together expertise in commercial, corporate, regulatory, IP, finance and contentious mandates, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP regularly advises TV and film clients on production and co-production arrangements, distribution agreements, incentives and rights deals. Hayley Brady, who oversees the media and digital practice, is proficient in content licensing, sponsorships and innovative arrangements in the film and television sectors. James Balfour advises on contractual and regulatory issues.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Hayley Brady and James Balfour have been outstanding.’

  • ‘A team that's always available with a strong focus on providing real solutions in addition to very good business expertise.’

  • ‘The people I work with at Herbert Smith are people I have known for a long time because they have created a relationship of quality and trust. A real effective collaboration because the people are available, competent and have 360 vision taking into consideration our business challenges.’

Key clients

  • Sky
  • Time Warner
  • CNN International
  • Photonica Inc
  • STV
  • The Big Issue Company Limited
  • Bounce Cinema
  • KFC

Work highlights

  • Advised STV on the renegotiation of certain rights in relation to distribution of ITV digital content as well as advertising sales arrangements in respect of STV airtime.
  • Advised Bounce Cinema on its co-production and brand collaboration arrangements, including on the negotiation of an arrangement with Warner Brothers Discovery.
  • Advised Sky on the distribution and monetisation of Sky content on TikTok.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Hayley Brady

Other key lawyers

James Balfour