All our partners are retained only on merit. All can demonstrate a record of outstanding achievement in their chosen field. But in spite of differing personalities, backgrounds and experience, all share a common commitment to working in partnership with our clients. We challenge established thinking, go that extra mile, but always deliver focus, clarity and objectivity, balanced by an acute understanding of our clients' business objectives.
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Litigation, with particular emphasis on all aspects of media litigation including copyright, trade mark and contractual disputes, libel and confidence. Particular expertise in the field of rights protection on behalf of companies and individuals in the music, film, broadcasting, sports and publishing industries.
Widely acknowledged as the leading expert in rights protection litigation in the UK, Simon has handled some of the most significant pieces of rights litigation on behalf of music, film, television and sports clients. He represented the UK record industry in securing the largest ever damages award for copyright infringement in the UK (£41 million) against the CD WOW web retail business. He is presently advising rights holders in their efforts to secure a greater commitment from ISPs to stop piracy. Simon is also known for his commercial litigation caseload. He recently represented Amalgamated Racing Limited, its associated JV partners and the operators of the 30 leading British racecourses in their successful defence of a private competition law claim brought by the four major British bookmakers. This high profile and prolonged court case has been described as one of the largest private competition law actions ever brought in England and Wales.
Some key cases in which he has been involved are:
• Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Services Ltd & Others -v- Amalgamated Racing Ltd & Others. [2008] EWHC 1978 (ch)
• Independiente Limited & ORS - v- Music Trading Online (HK) Limited [2007] EWHC 533 (ch)
• Polydor Limited and Others -v- Brown and Others [2005] EWHC 3191
• Attheraces Holdings Limited and Another -v- The Racecourse Association Limited and Others (unreported - case resolved mid way through trial)
• Racing UK Limited -v- Doncaster Racecourse Limited [2004] EWHC 2813
• Goodwood Racecourse Ltd & ORS -v- Satellite Information Services Ltd & ORS [2004] EWHC 2364 (ch)
• Dr Lionel Sawkins -v- Hyperion Records Limited [2004] EMLR 47
• Carlton Film Distributors Limited -v- VCI Plc [2003] FSR 47
• Independiente Limited & ORS -v- Music Trading On-Line (HK) Ltd & ORS - CD-WOW! [2003] EWHC 470 (ch)
• Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Limited & Others -v- Easyinternetcafe Limited [2003] FSR 48
• Best -v- Charter Medical of England Ltd [2002] EMLR 18
• Warner Bros Productions Ltd -v- The Telegraph Group Ltd (1) Catherine Milner (2) LTL 13/12/99
• Anthony Loveless -v- Lawrence Earl (1) Capital & Countries (Financial Services) Ltd (2) [1999] 4 EMLR 530
• A&M Records Ltd -v- Video Collection International Ltd [1995] EMLR 25
• Island Records Ltd -v- Tring International Plc [1995] FSR 560
• Abrahams -v- Performing Rights Society Ltd [1995] IRLR 486
• Bookmakers' Afternoon Greyhound Services Ltd v Amalgamated Racing Ltd [2008] All ER (D) 47 (Nov)
• Scopelight Ltd v Chief Constable of Northumbria Police [2009] 2 Cr App Rep 365
• Bookmakers' Afternoon Greyhound Services Ltd v Amalgamated Racing Ltd [2009] All ER (D) 298 (Jul)
• Scopelight Ltd v Chief of Police for Northumbria [2010] 1 Cr App Rep 264, (2009) Times, 11 November
• Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation & Ors v Newzbin Ltd [2010] EWHC 608 (Ch)
An extensive media client base consisting primarily of large corporations and including a number of well known music industry and media companies and organisations. Also represents a number of high profile individuals.
• Gained BA hons in Politics and Economic & Social History in 1989 at Leicester University.
• Trainee at Hamlins from 1992, qualifying as a solicitor in the media department in 1994.
• Joined Schilling & Lom and Partners (now Schillings) in 1997 becoming a partner specialising in media litigation.
• Joined Wiggin & Co in January 2000.
• Became a Partner in May 2001.
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