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Back to in-house lawyers in The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2011

HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

77-85 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 8JB, England

Dowson-Collins, Simon

Director of Legal Affairs

Phone:: 020 8307 4665
Email:

Responsible for the provision of legal advice throughout the company.

Size of department:: Four.
Career:: Called to the Bar 1989; qualified as a solicitor 1993; Wright Webb Syrett (subsequently merged with Davenport Lyons) 1988-96; in-house legal BBC 1995-2001; appointed present position 2001.
Education:: Millfield School, Somerset; University of London (1985 BA Hons History); City University (1987 Dip Law); Council of Legal Education (1988 Bar Finals).

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Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

A justified retrospective

Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation

- 11KBW
Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

In R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496 the Court of Appeal held that the Council had had “due regard to the PSED when making changes to its funding of community legal advice services”. At para 30 Elias LJ said:

- 11KBW
Public Sector Equality Duty

Surrey County Council conducted a review of its Library Service. This culminated in a Report to the Council’s Cabinet. The Recommendations in the Report included that there should be consultation about a community-partnership approach at selected Libraries.

- 11KBW
Judicial Review

The Judgment of Lindblom J in The Manydown Co Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane BC [2012] EWHC 977 (Admin) repays attention. The Claimant sought to challenge by judicial review 2 decisions of the Council: (1) the Council’s refusal to reconsider its position on the development of a site that it owns (and is the subject matter of a Joint Development Partnership Agreement with the Claimant); and (2) a decision of the Council’s Cabinet approving a selection of sites for development which did not include this site.

- 11KBW
The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

After its torrid passage through Parliament, the Health and Social Care Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. The Act deals principally with healthcare reform, but it also contains some amendments to the legislative framework for social care. It will come into force on a day yet to be appointed by the Secretary of State.

- 11KBW
Immigration update May 2012

In this issue:

- Penningtons Solicitors LLP
Premium service for tier 2 and 5 sponsors to be launched

A premium service for sponsors will be launched by the UKBA on 6 April 2012. The service is designed specifically for companies that sponsor international employees under tier 2 and 5 of the points based system and aims to provide them with enhanced support.

- Penningtons Solicitors LLP
A justified retrospective

Clive Sheldon QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation

- 11KBW
Update on Tier 2 certificates of sponsorship allocations for 2012/13

The UKBA is experiencing large volumes of requests from sponsors who have applied to renew their 2012/13 allocation of certificates of sponsorship.

- Penningtons Solicitors LLP
Changes on the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) for tier 4 sponsors

Penningtons has received confirmation from the UKBA after we raised a query regarding reporting on students using the SMS.

- Penningtons Solicitors LLP

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Law Firm Astrea significantly expands Brussels presence

As from 2 May 2012, leading Antwerp-based law firm Astrea has significantly expanded its Brussels office with the recruitment of new Partner Steven De Schrijver and team including Senior Associates Thomas Daenens, Jeroen Mues and Pieter Paepe.

- ASTREA
The Batang Kali Massacre trial - end of a Very British Cover-Up?

In 1948, Scots Guardsmen shot dead 24 unarmed Chinese labourers in the rubber tapping village of Batang Kali, part of what was then colonial Malaya.

- Bindmans LLP
Bindmans LLP strengthens team with appointment of new Associate

Anna Mazzola has been appointed as an associate in the Public Law and Human Rights team of the leading human rights law firm Bindmans LLP.

- Bindmans LLP
Boult Wade Tennant announces partnership appointment

Boult Wade Tennant, market leading patent and trade mark firm, is delighted to announce that Jo Pelly has been appointed partner, effective from 1st May 2012.

- Boult Wade Tennant
Boult Wade Tennant Partner announced as the new ITMA president

The Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) has announced Boult Wade Tennant Partner, Catherine Wolfe, as the Institute’s new president.

- Boult Wade Tennant
Asian Music Circuit ("AMC") - National music touring company promoting Pan-Asian music refused...

funding by Arts Council England ("ACE"), challenges decision making process

- Bindmans LLP
Ex-Stringfellows worker wins employment rights challenge

In a decision that could have industry wide implications, Nadine Quashie, a former dancer with Stringfellow Restaurants Limited, has won her legal battle for employment rights.

- Bindmans LLP
11KBW Annual Employment Conference London & Leeds 2012

11KBW Employment Law Conference takes place this year in London and Leeds. 15th May 2011 – London 29th May 2011 – Leeds

- 11KBW
Penningtons appoints three new partners as turnover rises by a third

Top 100 law firm Penningtons Solicitors LLP is pleased to announce the appointment of three new partners as well as a substantial increase in fee income for the 2011-2012 financial year.

- Penningtons Solicitors LLP
Press Conference: The Batang Kali massacre trial – the end of a very British cover up?

On 8 and 9 May 2012 the High Court will hear a judicial review test case brought by family members of the 24 unarmed men brutally massacred by British soldiers in 1948 at the village of Batang Kali, Malaya.

- Bindmans LLP

The Legal 500

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All countries

HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Dowson-Collins, Simon

Director of Legal Affairs

Search News and Articles

Press releases

Legal Developments in the UK

A justified retrospective

Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

Public Sector Equality Duty

Judicial Review

The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

Immigration update May 2012

Premium service for tier 2 and 5 sponsors to be launched

A justified retrospective

Update on Tier 2 certificates of sponsorship allocations for 2012/13

Changes on the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) for tier 4 sponsors

Press Releases in the UK

Law Firm Astrea significantly expands Brussels presence

The Batang Kali Massacre trial - end of a Very British Cover-Up?

Bindmans LLP strengthens team with appointment of new Associate

Boult Wade Tennant announces partnership appointment

Boult Wade Tennant Partner announced as the new ITMA president

Asian Music Circuit ("AMC") - National music touring company promoting Pan-Asian music refused...

Ex-Stringfellows worker wins employment rights challenge

11KBW Annual Employment Conference London & Leeds 2012

Penningtons appoints three new partners as turnover rises by a third

Press Conference: The Batang Kali massacre trial – the end of a very British cover up?