Since the arrival of the 'informative and helpful' Angharad Evans from S4C at the beginning of 2019, Acuity Law has rapidly gained a foothold in the market, particularly on behalf of Wales-based production companies, which are appreciative of Evans' ability to provide 'thorough and carefully considered advice' across the gamut of contractual issues. The team has also been increasingly active advising film funders and benefits from the ability to leverage the firm's broader banking and corporate strength.
Media and entertainment in Wales
Acuity Law
Practice head(s):
Angharad Evans
Other key lawyers:
Steve Berry; Lowri Morgan-Macdonald
Testimonials
‘Angharad Evans is both personable and professional. She has always been quick to respond to my needs, yet thorough, giving me carefully considered advice that has resulted in successful negotiations and results.’
‘Dealing with Angharad Evans has been a breath of fresh air. She’s been, by far, the easiest media lawyer that I’ve had the pleasure of working with.’
‘Angharad Evans has been a huge help to us in the early days of establishing our business. She is well-versed in media and contract law, has proved to be an excellent sounding board and is always a pleasure to deal with. She is personable, clear and positive.’
Key clients
Ieie productions limited
Triongl Cyf
Bright Branch Media Limited
Teledwyr Anibynnol Cymru
S4C
Omeira Film Partners Limited
Fiction Factory Limited
Severn Screen Limited
Yeti Limited
Solatots Limited
Political Lobbying and Media Relations
Finn & Partners UK
Noetic Digital Marketing
Travel Curious
Kommixx
Omeira Studio Partners Limited
Access Media Advisory Limited
Kailash Limited
Life to Live Limited
Marshall Jones Music Limited
Media Atom Limited
One More One Productions Limited
Work highlights
- Advising the funder on £700,000 investment in film production of well-known sequel to an indie film.
- Advised Ieie productions on a variety of development agreements, including writer agreements, underlying rights option agreements and development funding agreements.
- Advising Triongl Limited in co-production agreements, writer’s agreements and distribution agreements.
Hugh James
Hugh James has a strong grounding across a range of media and entertainment work, including advice on contracts and rights issues, as well as in the context of corporate and financing transactions in the sector. 'Commercial and pragmatic' team head Aled Walters has particularly strong credentials within the film and TV industry and is able to provide an excellent perspective to production companies in the space, by virtue not only of his many years' private practice experience but also by dint of the knowledge gleaned in his former senior in-house role at Welsh national broadcaster S4C.
Practice head(s):
Aled Walters
Other key lawyers:
Lowri Walters; Emily Powell
Testimonials
‘Aled Walters is commercial and pragmatic.’
Key clients
Wildflame Productions Limited
Avanti Media Limited
Welsh Government
4 Wood Group Limited
Location Solutions Limited
F X Hire Limited
Cwmni Da Cyf
Dragon Studios Limited
Keolis Amey Operations Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Wildflame Productions on the contracts, documents and rights position for its new multimillion-pound production for Viacom/Smithsonian called “True Vikings”.
- Advised Cwmni Da on its co-production “Rain Stories” with various co- production partners, Northern Ireland Screen, LDC China and Creative Scotland.
- Advised a UK-based set building company in relation to a new contract with Disney for the production of sets for its major new production, Trapper Keeper.
Loosemores Solicitors
Cardiff boutique Loosemores Solicitors has established an excellent reputation among sports and creative industry clients, as a result of its 'ferociously hardworking' ethos and the 'incredible breadth and depth of knowledge' it has across the firmament of media and entertainment issues. Formerly head of legal at S4C, Sara Griffiths has 'great technical skill and knowledge' on matters impacting clients in the broadcasting, film and tv sectors, and as well as her direct fee-earning work, she is also a great champion of the local creative community (as is demonstrated by her involvement and pro-bono advice to members of the leading membership organisation for women working in media). Recognised as a 'shrewd tactician' and a 'class act', senior partner Mark Loosemore also regularly handles media and entertainment matters for his vast array of sporting clients, including negotiating and drafting sponsorship and media and data rights agreements.
Practice head(s):
Mark Loosemore
Other key lawyers:
Sara Griffiths; Siôn Tudur
Testimonials
‘A small team, but ferociously hard-working. Particularly experienced in sports law.’
‘The team has an incredible breadth and depth of knowledge on media matters.’
‘Loosemoores offers media people a very good and clear service, no matter what level of expertise one is at.’
‘Sara Griffiths is a respected lawyer in the broadcasting, film and television sector. She is a very thorough lawyer with great technical skill and knowledge.’
‘Sion Tudor will go the extra mile in delivering what you need in plain English.’
‘Mark Loosemore understands the various challenges facing the sport and leisure industry in Wales and his specialist experience in sport and media work is highly valued across the sector.’
Key clients
Football Association of Wales
Teledwyr Annibynnol Cymru (TAC)
Coracle Productions
Just Druid Gorazde Limited and group companies
Tarian Cyf
Stills Creative
GlobalWelsh
James Uzzell
Horse & Country TV (H&C TV)
Tiny Rebel Games Limited
Chwarel
Mr Anderson
Edge 21 Studio Limited
Sport Wales
Live Like Louise Limited
Studio Collective
Work highlights
- Advised Teledwyr Annibynnol Cymru Cyf, which represents the Welsh independent TV production sector, on corporate legal matters across a range of issues specific to the broadcast industry and production sector.
- Advised the Football Association of Wales on a range of media rights and production agreements, including with UEFA for men’s home international friendly matches.
- Advised Horse & Country TV (H&C TV) on its acquisition of US equestrian streaming provider, EQ Sports Net (EQSN) together with various other matters.
Capital Law Limited
Under the guidance of IP head Wayne Beynon, Capital Law Limited maintains a solid offering for numerous production companies and broadcasters. Beynon is perhaps best-known for his litigation expertise and in a media context this manifests itself in relation to core IP disputes, as well as defamation/malicious falsehood claims. Non-contentious work includes a myriad contractual drafting, including for the purposes of co-production agreements, licensing terms and distribution agreements.
Practice head(s):
Wayne Beynon
Key clients
Infinity Creative Media
Smorgasbord
S4C
Handmade Films Limited
Influence Digital
University of South Wales
International Greetings
Rescape Innovations Limited
Gritty Realism Productions
British Medical Association
Work highlights
- Retained to advise Handmade Films Groups, a world-renowned film company on its extensive library of movies, dealing with policing copyright infringement online to advising on, negotiating and drafting new and exciting licensing arrangements.
- Advising a sports tv show shown on Sky, on a dispute over unpaid invoices with a production company.
- Advising a large-scale concert and events organiser on the cancellation and renegotiation of contracts for globally renowned music artists booked to perform at stadium concerts and events in the Summer of 2020.