With substantial experience in the music, publishing, and video game sectors, the BTO Solicitors LLP practice is praised for its ability to handle both non-contentious and contentious mandates, ranging from complex commercial agreements to defamation cases. Paul Motion, who heads the Edinburgh-based team, specialises in copyright law, licensing and artist management contracts, while Lynn Richmond primarily focuses on data protection and commercialisation issues. Lauren McFarlane and Lily Morrison are also recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘When considering media and entertainment, BTO has been exceptionally helpful in understanding legal issues and providing key counsel. We can't again say what is unique as this is our first time using lawyers for the current situation. We can say that we found the team highly professional and well-suited to the challenges. They were easy to get in contact with and began handling our matters for us almost immediately. So far, we have been very happy with their counsel.’

  • 'Lauren McFarlane is exceptionally hardworking and very easy to speak to. As unique as our situation is she came in with expert knowledge and was able to aid as required being available throughout the day. Our key issues were within the music industry, and she helped greatly in making progress towards the result we are hoping for.’

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Key clients

  • Charlene Douglas t/a The Intimacy Coach
  • VIP Records Limited
  • David Anderson
  • Jessica Fox
  • Alexander Shannon
  • Liam Shortall p.k.a Corto Alto
  • Glasgow East Women’s Aid

Work highlights

  • Advised Charlene Douglas (t/a The Intimacy Coach), a celebrity intimacy and relationship expert (featured on Married at First Sight), on the terms of a publishing agreement with Dorling Kindersley, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
  • Advised Liam Shortall (professionally known as Corto.Alto) in relation to the recording agreement for Corto.Alto’s first album, released by New Soil Limited t/a Bridge the Gap x New Soil, a London based record label.
  • Advising VIP Records Limited, an Edinburgh based international record label, in relation to a high-value royalties dispute with the label’s London based distribution company.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Paul Motion

Other key lawyers

Lynn Richmond, Lauren McFarlane, Lily Morrison