CMS assists producers and financiers within the film and TV industries with production loan deals. The team’s wide-ranging expertise covers the drafting and negotiation of transaction documents – including media rights deals and M&A – as well as tax credit issues, and distribution and exploitation agreements. Sports financing is also at the core of the media finance practice. Victoria Gaskell, who advises production companies, distributors and platforms on a range of deals from joint ventures to publishing deals and M&A, leads the team alongside Paul Guite, who acts for international listed corporations as well as individuals in media transactions, including fundraisings, reorganisations, acquisitions and disposals. Rebekah Hayes, a key contact for major lenders within the film and TV sectors, leads the specialist production finance practice at the firm.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The media team is small enough for truly personalised service and big enough to handle anything I can throw at it. A very good balance.’
‘Rebekah Hayes is the partner I work with on every deal and she's the best lawyer I've ever worked with. Kind, knowledgeable, proactive, fast, she's perfect. Laurel O'Dell has also been on a few of our transactions and she's been brilliant too.’
‘The team provides a fantastic service, combining exceptional technical ability with an keen commercial awareness, lending a tremendous practicality to their advice.’
‘Victoria Gaskell is a fantastic lawyer, advising on a range of question and issues, often under huge pressure but always unflustered, measured and targeted on the right legal and commercial outcome. I cannot recommend her highly enough.'
'Eliza Cohen's breadth of knowledge and exceptional advice is unrivalled in any junior associate I have worked with. I cannot commend her highly enough. I believe Victoria and Eliza are both real leaders and trailblazers in their field and the service they provide us with is top-notch and invaluable.’
‘Terrific depth of knowledge and a genuine understanding of the sector.’
'Selina Potter - sophisticated, composed and a genuine expert. An attentive listener, and an assured adviser. Always a genuine pleasure and immensely reassuring to have her alongside!'
Key clients
- Avia Games
- BBC
- Box To Box Films Limited
- BT / BT Sport
- Comcast
- Coutts & Co
- Cutting Edge Group
- Dentsu Aegis Network
- Elisabeth Murdoch
- FremantleMedia Group Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Box to Box Films on a minority investment by Bruin Capital, an industry-leading growth investment and buyout specialist in global sports.
- Advised the Premier League on its sales process for its UK rights for the 2025/26 – 2028/29 football seasons, including with the structure of the rights offering, auction design and the drafting of all related documentation.
Lawyers
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Victoria Gaskell; Paul Guite
Other key lawyers
Jon Cloke; Rebekah Hayes; Selina Potter; Laurel O'Dell; Eliza Cohen