Department profile
Bird & Bird

FinTech Legal

FinTech Guide 2026 : UK-wide


Bird & Bird

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

FinTech Legal - UK-wide

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Bird & Bird is well known for its leading technology and intellectual property practices, and is also able to advise on financial regulatory matters. The firm's FinTech work includes a broad range of payments and crowdfunding mandates.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Bird & Bird advises payments infrastructure provider NOAH on various matters including B2B customer agreements around crypto asset related services, AML and sanctions compliance, and technology integration contracts.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Bird & Bird has very good technical understanding and deep industry knowledge. They are very commercial in thinking through issues.

    FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
  • Bird & Bird is our go-to firm for projects touching technology, IP and outsourcing. Their client focus and subject matter expertise is very strong. They have an excellent grasp on complex matters.

    FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
  • They have a lot of knowledge in specialist areas like AI contracts. They are helpful and happy to talk about insights on the market.

    FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
  • Bird & Bird's speed of turn around, practical knowledge, and strong IP background distinguishes them.

    FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
  • Bird & Bird made great efforts to understand the business, the regulatory framework within which we operate, and risks. That meant that the advice provided was practical and commercial.

    FinTech Legal respondentFinTech

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Gavin Punia
    Band 1Gavin Punia

    Gavin Punia

    Gavin Punia advises clients on financial services regulatory matters. He regularly assists organisations involved in payment processing and e-money operations.

    • Gavin is a true expert in UK payments regulation and always delivers quality work.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
    • Gavin has excellent technical skills, is very business aware and always adopts a collaborative approach. He has strong expertise in the payments regulatory and tech sectors.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
    • Gavin Punia has a strong grasp of financial services regulations and how they apply to businesses in the blockchain and crypto space. He has a good understanding of both technology and industry.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
    • Gavin is super knowledgeable, and always open to having conversations on more strategic issues.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
    • Gavin is excellent. You can tell he's knowledgeable because he can usually give you an answer to questions on the spot.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
  • Band 3Jonathan Emmanuel
    Band 3Jonathan Emmanuel

    Jonathan Emmanuel

    Jonathan Emmanuel is co-head of Bird & Bird's financial services group. He advises on the use of new technologies, including blockchain, and his clients include customers and suppliers.

    • He is super knowledgeable and experienced in all things tech contracting.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
    • Jonathan Emmanuel provides very practical and commercially focused advice. He is able to distill complex issues and hold the businesses' hand when accepting risk positions.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
    • Jonathan Emmanuel provides an excellent service, is very knowledgeable and collaborative. He has strong contract drafting and negotiation skills and is a true specialist in the payments arena.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
    • Jonathan Emmanuel leads up the FinTech team and is brilliant. He has deep industry knowledge and commercial acumen.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
  • Band 2Trystan Tether
    Band 2Trystan Tether

    Trystan Tether

    Trystan Tether is an experienced member of Bird & Bird's international finance and financial regulation group. He advises on payments and digital banking matters.

    • He is very good technically on regulatory issues.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
    • Trystan Tether is very knowledgeable, very technical and makes a good team player.

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  • Band 3Sue McLean
    Band 3Sue McLean

    Sue McLean

    Sue McLean is a partner in Baker McKenzie's technology practice and co-chairs its FinTech group in London. She advises customers and suppliers on outsourcing, digital transformation, technology procurement and e-commerce matters.

    • Sue McLean does a lot of FinTech work for technology businesses. She is smart and sensible, and is well-liked by clients.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
    • Sue is very commercially-minded, pragmatic and also very thorough. Her advice is always spot-on. She is very responsive, clear and communicative.

      FinTech Legal respondentFinTech

Ranked Individuals at Bird & Bird (6)

UK-wide

Bird & Bird has rankings in the following guides

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