Lawyers

Abigail Payne

Abigail Payne

Work Department

Film and TV

Position

Abigail is a partner in the firm’s film and television group.

Abigail provides expert advice on all aspects of film and television development, production, financing and distribution. She is particularly renowned for her expertise in structuring international co-productions and providing advice on international subsidies and tax credits as well as other financing structures.

She advises clients from across the industry, including film and television funds, television platforms, banks, studios, completion guarantors, leading producers, distributors, talent agents, literary estates and other underlying rights holders.

Abigail works closely with Indies, supported by the firm’s close relationship with Indielab, an accelerator for companies in the film, television, animation and games sectors. She, alongside numerous others in the firm, provides companies and individuals in its cohort with a range of free advice, including in relation to the film and television industry as well as issues with fundraising and financing.

Abigail is a member of BAFTA and Women in Film and Television. She was also awarded The Legal 500’s ‘Technology, Media and Telecoms Lawyer of the Year (London)’ in 2019.

Career

Trained Theodore Goddard; qualified 1995; Business Affairs Executive BBC (Drama) 1995-97; Associate Harbottle & Lewis 1997 to current, Partner 2002.

Languages

FrenchGerman

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

Mentions

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