Simons Muirhead Burton
UK Guide 2025
About
Simons Muirhead Burton LLP is a London based law firm that is recognised for its strength in guiding clients and providing them with strategic advice at key moments in their personal and business lives. The firm takes a collaborative approach to resolving matters discreetly, quickly and sensitively – there is always a clear understanding of the importance of protecting clients’ reputations while getting the best outcome for them.
The firm enjoys an unparalleled reputation for its quality of legal services both in the UK and internationally. Clients benefit from the leadership and experience of its lawyers, who are known for their ability to offer practical and invaluable advice when dealing with what are often complicated and highly sensitive legal matters, both in the UK and internationally.
Simons Muirhead Burton LLP is an innovative media and commercial law firm with cutting edge practices across the board. The firm is prominent and highly skilled in:
■ Media
■ Dispute Resolution
■ Tech, IP & Digital Rights
■ Employment
■ Crime & Regulatory
■ Corporate, Commercial & Finance
■ Music
■ Family
■ Real Estate
■ Third Sector & Civil Liberties
SMB advises a wide range of clients, from individuals to start-ups, major corporations, public bodies and international businesses which need sophisticated advice as they grow and meet new challenges.
The firm provides a high standard of service to each client, and is aware of the demands of the business sectors in which its clients operate. SMB has grown from its origins as a four partner firm in the 1970s, having successfully expanded into a range of practice areas as is recognised by the high number of ranked departments and individual lawyers in legal directories. It is also recognised by its clients for its diversity, and its entrepreneurial and dynamic culture. The firm established and supports the ‘Death Penalty Project,’ which is based at the London office and provides representation and legal advice to people under sentence of death. The firm has a dedicated CSR team and is deeply committed to the Third Sector and to human rights with many of its partners acting as trustees and advisers to leading charities.
The firm is also part of an international legal network through which it can offer clients access to English speaking lawyers world-wide. SMB has lawyers with regional expertise, including multi-lingual lawyers.
Ranked Offices
Provided by Simons Muirhead Burton
- London87-91 Newman Street , London, Greater London, UK, W1T 3EY
- Web: www.smb.london
- Tel: (020) 3206 2700
- View ranked office
Simons Muirhead Burton rankings
Articles, highlights and press releases
26 items provided by Simons Muirhead Burton
Anthony Orum congratulates his clients, The Sugababes, after the iconic trio win MOBO award
Anthony Orum has congratulated his clients, The Sugababes, after the iconic British trio were bestowed the Impact Award at this years’s MOBO awards, underlining the group’s impact on the music industry.
SMB Music Partners listed in Billboard Top Music Lawyers for 2024
Partner Alasdair George, and Head of our Music department, Richard Baskind listed in Billboard Top Music Lawyers for 2024
In this article Partners Maninder Gill, Martin Soames and Associate James Warriner-Gallyer, discuss generative AI and its consumption of pre-existing content.
The Journalism Exemption: New Official Guidance from the ICO
In this article, Technology Partner, Raoul Lumb and Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution team, Alexandra Cohen, discuss the implications of the ICO issuing an official Code of Practice for journalists with statutory force under the GDPR.
Social Media and the Online Safety Act 2023
In this article Senior Associate, Michelle Rule, discusses the Online Safety Act (2023).
Mediation Matters – A podcast on family mediation
Jane McDonagh, Head of the Family department at Simons Muirhead Burton, and Partner Lara Wulwik discuss all things mediation, what to expect, how best to prepare and why it’s worth doing.
The Power of Prenuptial Agreements
When planning for a wedding, entering into a prenuptial agreement is not usually the first thing on a couple’s to-do-list.
Thoughts on Post Office Scandal – Part 1
This article attempts to answer the first of those questions, and I will grapple with the second -including a look at the power of the media
The Post Office scandal – what next? Part 2
So fast and furious are the developments in the Post Office scandal, with horrific new stories emerging almost daily, that it seems like an age since I wrote my first article.
Where were the Directors? Part 3
In this article, Partner and Co-head of SMB's Media team, Simon Goldberg, discusses the directors' roles in the Post Office Scandal
SMB advises on sale of popular sports news aggregator to French buyer
SMB has advised the seller, Sports Mole Ltd, on the sale of its website to French buyer North Star Network.
SMB advises on the sale of Robert Heath Heating to Daikin
SMB advises on the sale of Robert Heath Heating to Daikin
SMB acts for Interaction Recruitment in acquisition Hamilton Mayday and Lifeline Recruitment.
SMB acted for Interaction Recruitment in its acquisition of highly regarded recruitment businesses, Hamilton Mayday and Lifeline Recruitment.
SMB has advises RApport Global Strategic Services on its sale to ELIQUENT Life Sciences
SMB has advised RApport Global Strategic Services on its sale to ELIQUENT Life Sciences
Chris Mullin wins in ‘landmark freedom of expression decision'
In a landmark judgement, investigative journalist and former Labour MP, Chris Mullin, won the right to protect the identity of an alleged plotter in the 1974 bombings of two Birmingham pubs. SMB Partner Louis Charalambous acted for Mr Mullin in the legal battle.
SMB Media team advise on new Netflix film ‘The Weekend Away’
Simon Goldberg and Annika Chauhan have advised production company, 42 M&P Limited, on the production of “The Weekend Away” for Netflix.
Crime team client Professor Christopher Hennessy cleared of assault
In the Crown Court at Aldersgate House, Central London, our client Christopher Hennessy was cleared of assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. The finance professor at a prestigious London university, was unanimously acquitted by a jury who deliberated for just one hour.
New Serial Podcast: The Trojan Horse Affair
Exciting news – the latest podcast from Serial Productions, ‘The Trojan Horse Affair’, has been released. Partner Martin Soames, assisted by Senior Associate Emma Linch, worked with Serial and The New York Times on this project, which is the first Serial production based on a story in England.
SMB secures a fully renovated camper van for client following settlement of an online competition di
Our IP team at SMB, led by Maninder Gill, successfully secured a fully renovated camper van for our client. This was following the client winning an online competition and receiving the prize of a slightly decrepit Peugeot Boxer which was not as advertised.
SMB Media Team advises on new film “Save The Cinema”
SMB Media team have advised on the production and financing of the new film “Save The Cinema” starring Samantha Morton, Tom Felton & Jonathan Pryce.
Jeff Smele featured in The Lawyer
Following on from one of the “most reported entertainment industry stories of the last few years”, the libel trial of Johnny Depp vs. News Group Newspapers Ltd, Partner Jeff Smele has been featured in a great article in The Lawyer.
SMB listed in the Times Best Law Firms 2022
SMB have been listed in the prestigious Times Best Law Firms list for 2022. As a new entry, we are recognised for a number of notable cases that we have been involved with over the past year.
Media and Communication Disputes team shortlisted for major award
The Media and Communication Disputes team were shortlisted as a finalist in Litigation team of the year category at the Lawyer Awards.
SMB advises Precision Proco Group on purchase of Photobox’s manufacturing facilities
SMB have advised client Precision Proco Group on the terms of its purchase of Photobox’s manufacturing and production facility located in Park Royal, West London, one of the largest manufacturing facilities of its kind.
SMB Employment Team is acting on behalf of over 400 elite Police officers of the MET Police
SMB Employment Team is proud to be acting on behalf of over 400 specialist, elite firearm police officers of the MET Police who protect and accompany people of rank in a David -v- Goliath High Court trial taking place now in London against the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
SMB’s crime team secures acquittal of baseball umpire in ‘worrying’ case
SMB’s crime team, led by Partner Phil Smith and assisted by Senior Associate Henrietta Ronson and Paralegal Mark Soames, have secured a not guilty verdict at Wood Green Crown Court in a high-stakes case involving a highly-regarded baseball umpire.
Anthony Orum congratulates his clients, The Sugababes, after the iconic trio win MOBO award
Anthony Orum has congratulated his clients, The Sugababes, after the iconic British trio were bestowed the Impact Award at this years’s MOBO awards, underlining the group’s impact on the music industry.
SMB Music Partners listed in Billboard Top Music Lawyers for 2024
Partner Alasdair George, and Head of our Music department, Richard Baskind listed in Billboard Top Music Lawyers for 2024
In this article Partners Maninder Gill, Martin Soames and Associate James Warriner-Gallyer, discuss generative AI and its consumption of pre-existing content.
The Journalism Exemption: New Official Guidance from the ICO
In this article, Technology Partner, Raoul Lumb and Senior Associate in our Dispute Resolution team, Alexandra Cohen, discuss the implications of the ICO issuing an official Code of Practice for journalists with statutory force under the GDPR.
Social Media and the Online Safety Act 2023
In this article Senior Associate, Michelle Rule, discusses the Online Safety Act (2023).
Mediation Matters – A podcast on family mediation
Jane McDonagh, Head of the Family department at Simons Muirhead Burton, and Partner Lara Wulwik discuss all things mediation, what to expect, how best to prepare and why it’s worth doing.
The Power of Prenuptial Agreements
When planning for a wedding, entering into a prenuptial agreement is not usually the first thing on a couple’s to-do-list.
Thoughts on Post Office Scandal – Part 1
This article attempts to answer the first of those questions, and I will grapple with the second -including a look at the power of the media
The Post Office scandal – what next? Part 2
So fast and furious are the developments in the Post Office scandal, with horrific new stories emerging almost daily, that it seems like an age since I wrote my first article.
Where were the Directors? Part 3
In this article, Partner and Co-head of SMB's Media team, Simon Goldberg, discusses the directors' roles in the Post Office Scandal
SMB advises on sale of popular sports news aggregator to French buyer
SMB has advised the seller, Sports Mole Ltd, on the sale of its website to French buyer North Star Network.
SMB advises on the sale of Robert Heath Heating to Daikin
SMB advises on the sale of Robert Heath Heating to Daikin
SMB acts for Interaction Recruitment in acquisition Hamilton Mayday and Lifeline Recruitment.
SMB acted for Interaction Recruitment in its acquisition of highly regarded recruitment businesses, Hamilton Mayday and Lifeline Recruitment.
SMB has advises RApport Global Strategic Services on its sale to ELIQUENT Life Sciences
SMB has advised RApport Global Strategic Services on its sale to ELIQUENT Life Sciences
Chris Mullin wins in ‘landmark freedom of expression decision'
In a landmark judgement, investigative journalist and former Labour MP, Chris Mullin, won the right to protect the identity of an alleged plotter in the 1974 bombings of two Birmingham pubs. SMB Partner Louis Charalambous acted for Mr Mullin in the legal battle.
SMB Media team advise on new Netflix film ‘The Weekend Away’
Simon Goldberg and Annika Chauhan have advised production company, 42 M&P Limited, on the production of “The Weekend Away” for Netflix.
Crime team client Professor Christopher Hennessy cleared of assault
In the Crown Court at Aldersgate House, Central London, our client Christopher Hennessy was cleared of assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm. The finance professor at a prestigious London university, was unanimously acquitted by a jury who deliberated for just one hour.
New Serial Podcast: The Trojan Horse Affair
Exciting news – the latest podcast from Serial Productions, ‘The Trojan Horse Affair’, has been released. Partner Martin Soames, assisted by Senior Associate Emma Linch, worked with Serial and The New York Times on this project, which is the first Serial production based on a story in England.
SMB secures a fully renovated camper van for client following settlement of an online competition di
Our IP team at SMB, led by Maninder Gill, successfully secured a fully renovated camper van for our client. This was following the client winning an online competition and receiving the prize of a slightly decrepit Peugeot Boxer which was not as advertised.
SMB Media Team advises on new film “Save The Cinema”
SMB Media team have advised on the production and financing of the new film “Save The Cinema” starring Samantha Morton, Tom Felton & Jonathan Pryce.
Jeff Smele featured in The Lawyer
Following on from one of the “most reported entertainment industry stories of the last few years”, the libel trial of Johnny Depp vs. News Group Newspapers Ltd, Partner Jeff Smele has been featured in a great article in The Lawyer.
SMB listed in the Times Best Law Firms 2022
SMB have been listed in the prestigious Times Best Law Firms list for 2022. As a new entry, we are recognised for a number of notable cases that we have been involved with over the past year.
Media and Communication Disputes team shortlisted for major award
The Media and Communication Disputes team were shortlisted as a finalist in Litigation team of the year category at the Lawyer Awards.
SMB advises Precision Proco Group on purchase of Photobox’s manufacturing facilities
SMB have advised client Precision Proco Group on the terms of its purchase of Photobox’s manufacturing and production facility located in Park Royal, West London, one of the largest manufacturing facilities of its kind.
SMB Employment Team is acting on behalf of over 400 elite Police officers of the MET Police
SMB Employment Team is proud to be acting on behalf of over 400 specialist, elite firearm police officers of the MET Police who protect and accompany people of rank in a David -v- Goliath High Court trial taking place now in London against the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
SMB’s crime team secures acquittal of baseball umpire in ‘worrying’ case
SMB’s crime team, led by Partner Phil Smith and assisted by Senior Associate Henrietta Ronson and Paralegal Mark Soames, have secured a not guilty verdict at Wood Green Crown Court in a high-stakes case involving a highly-regarded baseball umpire.