Abigail Payne > Harbottle & Lewis LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Harbottle & Lewis LLP Offices

Harbottle & Lewis LLP
7 Savoy Court
LONDON
WC2R 0EX
England
Visit website 020 7667 5000 020 7667 5100

Abigail Payne

Abigail Payne photo
020 7667 5000 [email protected] View profile

Work Department

Film and TV

Position

Abigail is a Partner in the Film and TV Group providing advice on all aspects of development, finance, production and distribution of feature films and television programmes and exploitation of ancillary rights. Particular expertise is in advising film funds, EIS schemes and structuring international co-productions and providing advice on tax incentives (including the film and high-end TV and animation production tax credits), and international subsidies for a wide international client base of producers, distributors, broadcasters, exhibitors, agents, insurance companies and artists.

Her recent highlights include:

  • Advising Marv Studios on the production and financing of the film Tetris, starring Taron Egerton, directed by Jon Baird, which will be available on Apple TV, including the arrangements between Marv and Access Industries, Union Bank, the completion guarantor and Apple.
  • Acting for Sir Terry Pratchett’s estate on the co-production arrangements with BBC Studios for the television series The Watch based on the Discworld novels written by Sir Terry Pratchett produced in 2020.

Career

  • Trained Theodore Goddard; qualified 1995;
  • Business Affairs Executive BBC (Drama) 1995-97;
  • Associate Harbottle & Lewis 1997 to current, Partner 2002.
  • Won Legal 500 TME Individual of the Year 2019 (London)

Languages

French
German

Memberships

  • BAFTA
  • New Producers Alliance
  • Women in Film & Television

Education

  • Bath University (BA European Studies with French and German Hons);
  • Nottingham Trent University (CPE; LSF).

Leisure

Polo, tennis, skiing and yoga

Lawyer Rankings

London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Media finance

(Leading partners)

Abigail Payne – Harbottle & Lewis LLP

Combining expertise in all media sub-segments, Harbottle & Lewis LLP is capable of handling high-value deals – including debt, equity and tax-related financings – for projects and companies across film, TV, gaming, music, and theatre. Financiers and producers alike regularly seek the firm’s assistance with fundraising. A reference for film and TV financing, production and distribution matters, Abigail Payne is an expert in international financings, and often advises on the structuring of co-productions. Other key team members include Charles Lévêque, who focuses on corporate finance within the media sector, and Jonathan Berger, who assists with the development, acquisition, production, financing and distribution of multiple forms of media.

London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Film & TV

Harbottle & Lewis LLP assists with the full scope of film and TV productions, from initial script to screen, covering financing, production and distribution matters. Practice head Sarah Lazarides – ‘a lawyer-of-choice for all matters relating to TV finance and production‘ – advises Hollywood and UK indie producers as well as subscription video-on-demand services (SVODs). The ‘commercially minded, pragmatic and always very responsive‘ Hannah Wylie, a key member of the film, TV and theatre practice, is knowledgeable of AI issues. Abigail Payne advises on finance matters, international subsidies and tax credits in these segments. Clare McGarry is a key contact for independent producers and rights holders, while Catherine Flood focuses on assisting US studios and SVOD platforms. Caitlin McGivern also assists production companies with a mix of matters.

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