Bristows LLP focuses on advising clients in the TMT sector, brands, and advertising agencies on non-contentious and contentious advertising mandates. The team has been involved with matters regarding the new consumer protection regime outlined in the DMCC Act and advises clients on potential upcoming issues related to subscription contracts, fake reviews, and drip pricing. It works with clients on brand endorsement deals, regulatory compliance related to the use of influencers in marketing, and environmental claims. The team leverages the firm's wider expertise in IP to advise on brand protection and consumer liability. Paul Jordan and Richard Dickinson jointly lead the team; Jordan is well-versed in content acquisition and multi-platform campaign clearance, while Dickinson advises often clients on IP rights. Sean Ibbetson works with brands and publishers on UK advertising regulations and investigations by the ASA.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'The team's advice is always on-target, practical and usable. They have a breadth of experience in advertising, and a deep understanding of motion picture marketing. I particularly appreciate their willingness to provide risk-based advice.’
‘Paul Jordan is a pleasure to work with and a valued extension to our in-house team. He always has constructive, usable advice.'
'Sean Ibbetson provides consistently clear, usable advice. Whether discussing the law or regulation, he brings an in-depth understanding of the media landscape, and he can navigate inconsistencies of regulatory approach, all with a wry humour that makes him very relatable.’
‘The Bristows team is highly skilled with lawyers who provide market-leading advice all over the media sector. For advertising and marketing, this is the go-to firm in the UK.’
‘Paul Jordan, Jeremy Blum and Nellie Jackson are all excellent - bright, creative and good on the details. We trust them with our most delicate matters.'
'Bristows’ advertising & marketing team stands out for its remarkable responsiveness, deep understanding of the sector, and steadfast dedication to client service. A standout strength of the team is how well they understand not just the legal landscape, but the fast-moving, high-pressure nature of the advertising and marketing sector.'
Key clients
- The Financial Times Limited
- Total Energies SE
- The Guardian News and Media
- InterContinental Hotels Group
- Paramount Pictures
- Institute of Practitioners in Advertising
- WPP
- Ecopure
- Diageo Plc
- Quantcast
- McDonalds
- Lebara
Work highlights
Advised Paramount on marketing activities to promote the launch a number of its biggest releases in 2024, including A Quiet Place: Day One, IF, and Sonic 3.
Advised Quantcast on compliance with advertising regulations across the UK and various European countries in relation to highly regulated products, including gambling and nicotine.
Advised TotalEnergies on its use of green claims in the UK, so that it can communicate the efforts it is making to transition away from oil and gas and to other sources of energy.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Paul Jordan; Richard Dickinson
Other key lawyers
Sean Ibbetson; Jeremy Blum; Nellie Jackson