Commercial Contracts
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 3
About
Provided by Bird & Bird
Our International Commercial group sits at the very heart of our firm and has been an integral part of our business for more than 25 years, with over 80 partners and 200 associates across our 32 international offices. This means we have tremendous strength in depth and are able to react quickly to periods of peak demand from any of your businesses throughout the world.
Unlike many law firms our Commercial group operates as a stand-alone practice area rather than a support function. This means we have a team of Commercial lawyers who are expert in the law of their own country. As a result, we are widely recognised as one of the leading firms for Commercial work and are consistently ranked in the top tier of advisers in the legal directories.
The team advises on the whole remit of commercial work including supply and manufacturing agreements, standard terms and conditions of supply and purchase, sales, marketing, advertising and promotion agreements, representation, agency, distributorship and franchise arrangements, joint ventures, co-operation and collaboration agreements, strategic partnerships, procurement, outsourcing and licensing, research, development, and exploitation agreements.
We have also have unparalleled specialisation within the group, with 9 sub-groups, including Competition, Franchising & Distribution, Infrastructure Projects and Procurement.
Chambers Review
Bird & Bird is recognised in the market for its substantial strength in handling IT-related commercial transactions. The team also acts for an impressive client list across a wide range of mandates, including collaboration agreements, supply chain contracts and advertising matters. It has particular expertise in the sport and retail sectors.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They made complex matters simple for all parties and they always come back to us in a timely fashion."
"They made complex matters simple for all parties and they always come back to us in a timely fashion."
Notable Practitioners
Simon Shooter is head of the firm's international commercial group. He has a wide range of expertise in negotiating commercial contracts and strategic partnerships. He is particularly adept at advising clients in the technology and pharmaceutical sectors.
"Simon is a very valuable support on the commercial side."
"Simon provides exceptional advice in a very practical manner. He is highly personable and knowledgeable and quickly gains the respect of individuals on both sides of the table."
"Simon has a brilliant mind and is a very safe pair of hands. He is highly pragmatic and has great commercial nous."
Ranked Lawyers at
Bird & Bird
UK-wide
Members
Provided by Bird & Bird
Ian Edwards
Head of Department
Robert Turner
Head of Department