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Specialist Guide to the

Global Leaders in Media Law Practice

TIER 1

Al Tamimi & Company has a prominent position nationally and regionally, with emphasis on multiple media segments. The firm’s TMT group acts for film studios, advertisers and television companies. The team advised on a US motion picture production filmed nationally, negotiated production services agreements and local contracts for the production team. Lawyers also advised on campaign developments and television content production.

Charles Russell Speechlys is well renowned for its expert media lawyers based in the Middle East and internationally. The lawyers in the Middle East are particularly well known for their specialised expertise and industry focused experience in the media, entertainment and events industries. The team, led by Mark Hill (Partner), has over 20 years of experience in the region and has a broad understanding of these industries both locally and internationally. The firm provides specialised legal advice to a varying range of clients including media companies, broadcasters, publishers, newspapers, producers, rights holders, platforms, writers, actors and performers as well as celebrities.

TIER 2

Bird & Bird is widely respected by peers and noted for its TMT commitment. The firm’s practitioners have extensive media sector experience that includes regulatory and commercial advice. Well regarded by peers, the firm is notably recognised for its work on motion picture production, distribution, online media regulation and video games.   

Clyde & Co provides commercial media and broader TMT advice to a broad client base, global and national. With a high profile client list, the firm’s experience includes complex transactions. The media cases that include defamation, online media and regulatory matters.

DLA Piper is highly regarded nationally and is frequently highlighted by peers for its media commitment. Primarily focussed on entertainment and sports, lawyers act on a range of cases from corporate to advisory. The media group assists with production and rights acquisitions and the exploitation of media rights and regulatory matters.

TIER 3

BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates is a regional full-service law firm headquartered in the DIFC. BSA’s TMT practice is well recognised and its media experience is varied providing commercial, regulatory and contentious advice. The firm’s clients include international and regional media conglomerates as well as social media platforms and regional start-up media entities. Thanks to its regional presence, the firm also advise on sizeable matters in KSA and Oman. The team also advises on TMT matters across the firm.

Independent firm Hadef & Partners is gaining recognition among peers. The firm’s TMT division works on acquisitions, disposals, commercial transactions, e-commerce and data privacy. The team advises local and international clients and routinely advices on licensing and media contracts.

Simmons & Simmons has a strong reputation backed by its international industry focus. The firm’s traditional emphasis on technology supports the growth of its media sector coverage. Lawyers advise on commercial and regulatory matters involving television broadcasting and film production.

TIER 4

Allen & Overy has a firm position nationally with its focus notably on intellectual property. Present since 1978, the firm’s full-service scope provides broad sector coverage that includes technology and telecoms. The team also advise on multinational cases - transactional and advisory.

Dentons focusses on multiple areas of work, from mergers and commercial contracts to media events and regulation. The team advises on film production and franchising agreements. In representative work includes advise to television station OSN on its bid for media rights to international cricket matches, for the Middle East and North Africa region, organised by the International Cricket Council for the period 2015-2023.

  REGIONS WE COVER

  Middle East and North Africa

  North America

  Asia-Pacific

  Western Europe

  Central and Eastern Europe

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the Middle East. We see both traditional sports bodies continuing to approach e-sports as a vital way of engaging with a new audience, and gaming companies also embracing e-sport.”

He added: “We continue to see our clients increasingly embrace the power of new technologies, such as AI and have helped them define their roles in the digital economy where moving, storing and understanding data is key.”

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The UAE welcomed a new media law at the start of 2024 that is expected to bring the country ‘into the digital age’.

The Federal Decree-Law No. 55/2023 On the Regulation of Media came into force in December 2023, with a focus on electronic and digital media and applies to IPTV, video on demand services and streaming services.  

According to a PwC media outlook, digital entertainment will growth at an accelerated pace in 2024 - led by OTT, video gaming and digital music. Digital review is expected to make up 46 per cent of total media and entertainment revenue by the end of the year.

One lawyer explained: “On the sports side we’ve noticed the e-sports business is rapidly growing in