Simon heads up the dispute resolution team at Bray & Krais.

Joining the firm in 2019 as a Partner, Simon teamed up with Andrew Forbes to establish an industry-leading practice, providing specialist advice on contentious matters to clients in the creative industries.  Prior to joining Bray & Krais, Simon spent more than 10 years at Forbes Anderson Free and another leading entertainment law firm.

Simon specialises in advising on intellectual property disputes, contractual disputes, brand protection and reputation management.  He acts for leading recording artists and song writers, record labels, music publishing companies and industry bodies.  Simon also has a wider practice acting for theatrical production companies, book publishers, authors, broadcasters, social media marketing companies, vloggers and SVOD companies.

Simon is recognised by The Legal 500 as a “Next Generation Partner” and is described by the Chambers and Partners’ guide to lawyers acting in contentious music matters as “very personable”, “very intelligent” and someone “who fights hard for clients”.

Cases of note:

Moss v O’Dowd et al [BL-2019-002078] (Ongoing)

Advising Jon Moss in a partnership dispute following his departure from Culture Club after almost 40 years.

Sheeran et al v Chokri et al [2022] EWHC 827 (Ch)

Successfully representing Ed Sheeran, Steve Mac,  Johnny McDaid and their respective music publishers in a trial concerning an allegation of copyright infringement relating to ‘Shape of You’.

Smith v Dryden & ors [2021] EWHC 2277

Acting for the writers of the Rudimental track, ‘Waiting All Night’, in successfully defending a claim of copyright infringement.

Martin v Kogan [2017] EWHC 2927 (IPEC)

Acting for Nick Martin in a trial concerning an allegation of copyright infringement relating to the screenplay of the celebrated film, ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’.

Gloucester Place Music v Le Bon & Ors [2016] EWHC 3091 (CH)

Successfully acting for Gloucester Place Music (a publishing company owned by Sony Music Publishing) in a dispute with the members of Duran Duran relating to the effect of US reversion rights on an assignment of copyright made by contract governed by English law.

Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC & anr v WPMC Limited & Anr [2015] EWHC 1853 (Ch)

Successfully acting for Sony Music Publishing in a dispute with a film production company relating to music publishing rights in Beatles catalogue.

Dramatico Entertainment Ltd & 8 ORs v British Sky Broadcasting Ltd & 5 Ors [2012] EWHC 268 (Ch) (and other similar actions)

Acting for representatives of the British Recorded Music Industry and PPL in obtaining blocking injunctions against various Internet Service Providers, requiring them to block access to peer-to-peer file-sharing websites (including The Pirate Bay).

Football Association Premier League Ltd v QC Leisure [2008] EWHC 1411; [2008] UKCLR 329; [2008] 3 CMLR 12; [2008] FSR 32 (and subsequent referral to the ECJ)

Acting for the Defendant in a case concerning Conditional Access, copyright and competition matters relating to the use of foreign satellite decoder cards to view Premiership Football matches in the UK.