Department profile
Blackstone Chambers

Media & Entertainment

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Blackstone Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Media & Entertainment - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Blackstone Chambers is an outstanding media and entertainment set with a strong bench of silks and juniors. Praised for having "industry knowledge other chambers don't have", the barristers act for both claimants and defendants in the media and entertainment sector on a wide range of contentious mandates, including licensing and management disputes and breach of contract claims. Members also frequently advise on privacy and data protection issues, as well as advertising and broadcasting regulations. The set further boasts a wealth of experience in contentious IP work, such as infringement of music publishing rights and copyright disputes. Recent standout work includes David Holmes v Coldplay, in which tenants acted for members of Coldplay in a contractual suit brought by their former manager.

Adam Sloane and Derek Sutton are joint senior clerks.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks work tirelessly to progress matters forward. They have been incredibly helpful and responsive.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are brilliant, the best in the business. They make you feel like you're the only client. Everything just runs like a Swiss watch.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks have been excellent to deal with.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are great. They are some of the best clerks in the market. They are always responsive and commercial. Adam and Derek, who run the room now, do a good job.

    Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsIan Mill
    Star IndividualsIan Mill

    Ian Mill

    Ian Mill KC is a runaway star of the media and entertainment Bar who is widely regarded as the leading silk for music industry clients. He continues to be instructed in cutting-edge commercial and intellectual property cases, and has expert knowledge of Section 97A internet blocking orders. His practice also covers film, TV and publishing disputes.

    • He is a ferocious advocate with a clear manner.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Ian is the person of choice for music cases.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Ian has great knowledge, authority and confidence when he is speaking, and judges really listen to him. He is a big name, and they respect him.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Ian Mill KC is a doyen of his field.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Mark Vinall
    Band 1Mark Vinall

    Mark Vinall

    Mark Vinall is a highly regarded barrister who has forged a distinguished practice in the field of media and entertainment law. He regularly appears on his own and alongside leading silks in high-value, cutting-edge cases involving TV and film production companies, broadcasters, record companies and musicians.

    • Mark Vinall is knowledgeable in the music industry. He is forensically analytical, easy to deal with and responsive.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • He is enormously experienced and a go-to choice for licensing work.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • He is a very good drafter and has a lovely manner in court.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Robert Howe
    Band 1Robert Howe

    Robert Howe

    Robert Howe KC is a highly regarded media and entertainment silk who acts for both claimants and defendants in the music, television and broadcasting sectors on both commercial and intellectual property matters. Commentators highlight his strong oral advocacy and presentation skills.

    • We think very highly of Robert. He knows our business very well.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Robert Howe KC is extremely experienced, extremely bright and great at managing court. He's a real all-rounder.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Robert is brilliant. In hearings and trials, he is an excellent advocate. He is very thorough and has the ear of judges and tribunals.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Tom Cleaver
    Band 1Tom Cleaver

    Tom Cleaver

    Tom Cleaver has firmly established a reputation as one of the leading barristers in the area of media and entertainment. He is in high demand for his expertise in complex music, emerging media and gaming disputes.

    • Tom Cleaver is excellent in all respects.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Tom is an excellent member of any team and has a good way of making the complex understandable.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Tom Weisselberg
    Band 1Tom Weisselberg

    Tom Weisselberg

    Tom Weisselberg KC is a strong silk who is held in high esteem for his broad entertainment practice. He is praised for his technical ability, and he represents claimants and defendants in complex contractual, copyright and patent litigation and arbitrations. Weisselberg is held in particularly high regard for his expertise in cases in the TV and music sectors.

    • Tom's experience speaks for itself. He is tremendously knowledgeable but is also highly personable. I could not recommend a barrister more.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • He is a high-profile silk in the area.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Celia Rooney
    Band 2Celia Rooney

    Celia Rooney

    Celia Rooney is a barrister who is frequently instructed by well-known recording artists in the music industry. She has experience handling disputes involving royalties, intellectual property, breach of contract and fraud.

    • Celia is very dedicated and across the detail.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Celia Rooney works diligently. She is willing to go the extra mile for the client. She is working all hours of the day.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Celia is excellent. Her advice is always spot-on, and she is very quick to respond and happy to assist with even the smallest of queries.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Shane Sibbel
    Band 2Shane Sibbel

    Shane Sibbel

    Shane Sibbel is noted for his expertise in handling IP cases in the media and entertainment sector. He is particularly well regarded for his handling of complex matters involving online copyright infringement.

    • Shane Sibbel is first rate.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Shane has a very strong commercial media practice.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Thomas de la Mare
    Band 2Thomas de la Mare

    Thomas de la Mare

    Thomas de la Mare KC commands an excellent reputation as a leading media law barrister with expertise in advertising and broadcasting law, among other areas. His media practice is complemented by additional expertise in regulatory, intellectual property, EU and public law.

    • Thomas de la Mare KC is approachable despite being at the top of his game. He has a good sense of humour and works well with the team at every level.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • He is a brilliant drafter. His reputation in court is very strong. He is charming and has real skill with the authorities.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Tom Hickman
    Band 2Tom Hickman

    Tom Hickman

    Tom Hickman KC has a flourishing reputation at the media and entertainment Bar, and receives particular accolades for his skill in navigating contract disputes in the music and TV sectors. He has additional expertise at appellate level.

    • I have been very impressed with him as an advocate to work with.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Hickman knows the industry incredibly well. He gives clear and confident advice, and is a strategic and tactical thinker.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Tom is fantastic. He is very analytical and a good listener. He knows the law inside out and has a commercial approach.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Hollie Higgins
    Band 3Hollie Higgins

    Hollie Higgins

    Hollie Higgins can boast an impressive level of experience across various media law issues, including media regulation, commercial rights and privacy. She has acted for prominent artists, record companies and Ofcom, among other clients.

    • Hollie Higgins is very easygoing. She is delightful to deal with. Clients like her, and she has a big future going forward in the media space.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Hollie Higgins is unflappable and an incredibly hard worker. She is going places.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Hollie Higgins is one to watch. She is a very good analytical advocate.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3James Segan
    Band 3James Segan

    James Segan

    James Segan KC maintains a broad media and entertainment practice which focuses on issues in the music and TV sectors. This expertise is supplemented by his experience of competition, EU and public law. He also has significant experience in Copyright Tribunal matters.

    • James is a real star in IP, particularly copyright work. He is very sensible, calm and great to work with.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • James is very knowledgeable and user-friendly. Clients like him as he understands the industry.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • An excellent and considered advocate, he is hard-working and user-friendly.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • James has a deep understanding of the industry. He has lots of good ideas.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Robert Anderson
    Band 3Robert Anderson

    Robert Anderson

    Robert Anderson KC is a leading silk who maintains a broad commercial practice, encompassing sports litigation in addition to media and entertainment claims. He combines longstanding expertise in phone-hacking claims with experience in high-profile media disputes for clients in the theatre, publishing, music and telecoms sectors, among others.

    • Robert is clever at spotting the arguments and really good at the strategy. He knows the limits of existing laws and can spot trends from other jurisdictions too. He is very insightful.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Robert is a no-nonsense barrister who rolls his sleeves up. He knows the right levers to pull on in the case for maximum pressure.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Daniel Burgess
    Band 4Daniel Burgess

    Daniel Burgess

    Daniel Burgess is an experienced barrister with a strong reputation for representing musicians, producers and composers in a range of media disputes.

    • Daniel is thoughtful, imaginative and calm under fire.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Daniel is an extremely strong barrister. He is very capable, approachable and good with clients. He is advocacy is excellent.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksJason Pobjoy
    New SilksJason Pobjoy

    Jason Pobjoy

    Jason Pobjoy KC is a very well-regarded practitioner in the media space who is regularly sought out by leading media companies. He is extremely experienced in acting on matters relating to freedom of expression, privacy and impartiality obligations.

    • He is extremely versatile and practises in a wide range of areas.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • He has a stellar career ahead of him.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar
    • Jason Pobjoy stands out as he is a good strategist and is hard-working and clever. His judgement and client service skills are outstanding.

      Media & Entertainment respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Blackstone Chambers (14)

London (Bar)

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