Contact | Search |

Category: News

Harbottle & Lewis advises Super Media Group on its acquisition of Bulkhead and investment from Everplay and HIRO Capital

Posted on by Dea Dragashi

We have advised Super Media Group on its acquisition of Derby-based video games developer, Bulkhead, and on its investment from Everplay Group plc and HIRO Capital.

Founded in 2014 and best known for Battalion 1944, Bulkhead was acquired from global technology business Tencent by a consortium comprising Super Media Group, Everplay and HIRO Capital. Super Media Group also signed a strategic partnership with Everplay, which will see collaboration on future titles, including new IP WARDOGS and further development of the popular Hell Let Loose franchise.

The team was led by partner Ed Lane, with support from managing associate Katerina Capras, associate Jake Jacobson and trainee solicitor Jacob Eardley, who advised on all corporate matters relating to the deal. The commercial and publishing aspects of the deal were led by partner and co-head of interactive entertainment Kostyantyn Lobov with support from associate Sophie Lewis. Partner David Scott advised on tax.

On working with Harbottle & Lewis, Bulkhead CEO Joe Brammer commented:

“Harbottle & Lewis were exceptional throughout the process. This was a complex, multi-party transaction and the team worked tirelessly, often outside normal hours, to get the deal done. Ed and the wider team handled our business as if it were their own, combining deep attention to detail with a clear understanding of the commercial realities, which made a genuine difference in delivering the outcome we wanted.”

Ed Lane added:

“It was a real pleasure advising Super Media Group on this huge milestone; a complex and layered transaction that really demonstrated the strength and depth of our market-leading corporate and games practices. I look forward to seeing what they do next!”

We have been fully immersed in the interactive entertainment sector since its inception and are recognised as leaders in the sector. We specialise in corporate financing and transactions within the games industry, advising on investment, fundraising, tax credits, M&A, and rights exploitation. Learn more about our interactive entertainment practice here.

Divorce and financial claims: What foreign Premier League players need to know

Posted on by Dea Dragashi

The Premier League attracts the best footballing talent from across the world, but the family law pitfalls to which footballers are exposed by virtue of living and working in this jurisdiction are often overlooked.

In an article published by LawInSport, associate Matthew Hodgson explains why understanding the legal landscape in England and Wales is essential for players and their advisers upon them making their move. The principles of family law in this jurisdiction give courts wide-ranging powers and can apply to footballers who arrive here in a relatively short amount of time. The article covers:

  • How long does a player have to be here before a claim can arise?
  • What do players and their advisors need to know?
  • The different types of claims
    • Schedule 1 claims
    • The treatment of pre-nuptial agreements
    • Part III claims
  • What can incoming players do to protect themselves?

Those with a subscription can read the full article on the LawInSport website here.

LawInSport is a sports law knowledge hub and global community that provides expert analysis and commentary on the latest legal developments in sport. It collaborates with a community of over 30,000 lawyers, sports executives, sports administrators, athletes, coaches, academics and students, and their organisations, to share knowledge and grow understanding of law in sport.

Harbottle & Lewis supports SimPal with donation of laptops

Posted on by Alex Molyneux

In a world where being digitally connected is no longer a luxury but a necessity, two million people in the UK are without any form of device.

Being digitally connected means having access to healthcare services, having opportunities to find work, and being connected to loved ones and wider communities. Without this, people are left isolated and vulnerable.

We have donated 28 of our unused laptops to SimPal, a charity which fights against digital poverty. With the vital support of business mobile company 1823 Group who arranged for the devices to be refurbished, each laptop will go to those who need it most. Watch this video to find out more about how SimPal is working with 1823 Group to tackle digital exclusion.

Chris Lewis, founder of SimPal, said:

“I want to extend a massive thank you to Harbottle & Lewis and all the organisations who have stepped forward to help us drive real change. We are grateful for the incredible support from Kerry and her team which means we are able to help more of those who find themselves in digital poverty. We must act to close the digital divide and it is donations like these which help us to make a difference.”

Kerry Angel, our director of IT, said:

“On behalf of Harbottle & Lewis, my team and I were delighted to be able to help SimPal by donating another batch of our old laptops to a great cause. With the help of 1823 Group, these laptops will take on a new lease of life by helping those struggling in digital poverty. We hope that what is a small gesture on our part will make a big difference to those who really need it.”

Founded in 2016, SimPal is a UK charity run entirely by volunteers which provides mobile phones and pre-paid SIM cards to people living with cancer and other life-threatening conditions, or who are in poverty, to enable them to stay connected to loved ones, healthcare services and their communities. Its services are open to people of all ages and backgrounds, with no means testing, ensuring that as many people as possible can access the support they need.

Opening the door to new opportunities for Key4Life

Posted on by Dea Dragashi

Over the past two years, we have proudly partnered with Key4Life, a crime prevention charity which rehabilitates young men in prison or at risk of going to prison.

As our nominated ‘Charity Partner of the Year’, we have supported Key4Life through giving our people the opportunity to offer their time to foster meaningful change, particularly through initiatives such as volunteering, events and work placements. These initiatives have been coordinated by our dedicated Key4Life committee which helped to facilitate these opportunities and connect the charity with people from across the firm.

Some of the standout initiatives from the two-year programme include a three-day work placement for the young men, in-prison volunteering at HMP Thameside and HMP Fosse Way, and several events hosted in our office. Among these events was a Dragons’ Den, where the young men pitched their business ideas to a panel of ‘dragons’ after a session on key business and legal advice from experts. Additionally, we hosted our Unlocking Futures panel event, centred on the question ‘How can we create a culture of employment opportunity for prison leavers?’ which sparked powerful discussions and practical ideas for addressing barriers to employment for prison-leavers.

For the participants, the support they’ve received has been instrumental in helping them build the experience and confidence needed to take the next steps in their professional or academic journeys. Indeed, the benefits are reciprocal as those who have volunteered have found the experience to be equally rewarding and have seen their own skills honed as a result. Several of the events we hosted were attended by various clients of ours; this not only enabled the participants to gain insights from those who work in a range of industries outside of law, but it also meant that we were able to share the enriching experience of being a volunteer with the participants who attended on behalf of our clients.

Volunteers from one of our long-standing clients, De Beers, were invited by us to attend several of our hosted events and subsequently participated in many of Key4Life’s initiatives. This has led the relationship to grow, with De Beers and Anglo American colleagues supporting Key4Life through its Ambassador for Good 2025 programme, which empowers employees to support causes they care about, and make meaningful change to communities.

Kirsten Mansfield, legal counsel at De Beers and an active participant in Key4Life initiatives, said:

“After my first Key4Life event through Harbottle & Lewis, I was keen to find new ways to support the charity and involve more colleagues. The Ambassador for Good 2025 programme provided a great platform for wider participation within the company, and left a lasting impression on our team. Key4Life’s initiatives are brilliant, and we look forward to continuing our support and involvement.”

Sacha Wilson, partner at Harbottle & Lewis and client relationship partner with De Beers, said:

“We are pleased to see that De Beers is continuing to support Key4Life through its Ambassador for Good programme alongside Anglo American – it is extremely rewarding to know that the charity will continue to benefit from the support of other responsible organisations following completion of our two-year programme. We look forward to seeing the partnership develop and make a lasting difference.”

About Key4Life

Key4Life is an innovative crime prevention charity which rehabilitates young men in prison or at risk of going to prison, providing real solutions to help reduce youth offending.

The charity’s rehabilitation programmes help the young men to build resilience and release negative behaviours through a powerful blend of music, football, equine therapy, NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and emotional release sessions.

To learn more about the work that Key4Life does, head to its website here: Key4Life – Reducing youth re-offending

Listed in The Times Best Law Firms 2026

Posted on by Nikhita Sagar

We have been listed in The Times Best Law Firms 2026, with commendation for our family and entertainment & sport practices.

The list features the top 250 law firms in England and Wales and is based on recommendations made by lawyers and clients in 28 different fields of law.

Our profile can be found here.

Featured in eprivateclient’s Top Family Law Firms for 2025

Posted on by Nikhita Sagar

We have been featured in eprivateclient’s Top Family Law Firms for 2025 as a tier 1 firm.

These rankings take an in-depth look at the top family practices across the UK, based on a survey of over 100 firms.

Firms are ranked based on various factors, including the number of family partners and fee earners, revenue generated and broader market knowledge.

The full rankings are available here via eprivateclient with a subscription.

Harbottle & Lewis advises Lumina Media on its investment in Arcade Media

Posted on by Dea Dragashi

We have advised Lumina Media on its strategic investment in Arcade Media, a London-based talent management agency representing some of the UK’s top content creators.

Thomas Benski’s Lumina Media, a London-based IP-led media and venture group, provides creative, operational and strategic support to its portfolio of companies and talent, helping them build brands and produce content. The investment aligns with Lumina’s strategy of supporting next-generation companies at the intersection of digital media and entertainment.

Founded in 2021, Arcade Media has established itself as a premier talent management agency, helping content creators grow their brands, secure partnerships and develop original content and experiences that bridge the gap between digital talent and mainstream entertainment. The agency is best known as the exclusive management partner for The Sidemen, one of Europe’s largest YouTube collectives.

The transaction demonstrates the continued growth and maturation of the digital content creator economy, as traditional media and venture capital increasingly recognise the value and commercial potential of digital talent and their audiences.

Tim O’Shea, Lumina Media’s Group Director of Commercial and Business Affairs, noted:

“Harbottle & Lewis’s understanding of the media landscape and the nuances of creative businesses make them invaluable advisors. Their support on this investment was seamless, strategic, and effectively aligned with how we operate.”

Tim Parker, partner at Harbottle & Lewis, commented:

“We are delighted to have advised Lumina Media on this exciting investment. Arcade Media represents the future of talent management in the digital age, and we look forward to seeing how this partnership will help accelerate their growth and expand their influence in the creator economy.”

This investment adds to our extensive track record of advising on media and technology transactions, reinforcing the firm’s position as the go-to legal adviser for innovative companies in the media, entertainment and technology sectors.

Our transaction team was led by partner Tim Parker and managing associate Rosie Marston, with support from associate Jake Jacobson.

Early conciliation: a process in crisis

Posted on by Anna Weeden

Partner and head of the firm’s employment group, Yvonne Gallagher, has written an article published in The Times on the challenges facing early conciliation – a mandatory pre-tribunal step aimed at resolving employment disputes within six weeks.

In the article, Yvonne explores how rising demand and systemic delays are impacting the effectiveness of this process, to the detriment of employers and employees alike, and highlights potential solutions to alleviate pressure on both Acas and the wider tribunal system.

Read the full article here.

Recognition in the Chambers UK 2026 Guide

Posted on by Nikhita Sagar

Chambers and Partners has today published its UK 2026 Guide, which catalogues numerous individual and departmental rankings for our firm across multiple practice areas. This year, we have received 16 departmental rankings and 32 individual rankings, many of which are in the higher bands.  

All of our rankings have either been maintained or improved compared to last year’s results and we have been ranked in band 1 in five categories. We have also been ranked for the first time for Hotels & Leisure, while several individuals have secured new or improved rankings.

These achievements highlight the firm’s ongoing growth and the breadth of our expertise in advising our clients across their evolving legal and commercial needs.

The Chambers UK Guide is based on independent research and client feedback and is widely regarded as a benchmark for excellence in the legal sector, recognising top law firms and practitioners for their expertise and client service.

View the full rankings here.

Harbottle & Lewis assists with development of new trust laws in Bermuda, paving way for global reform

Posted on by Alex Molyneux

Landmark new laws have been passed in Bermuda which modernise trust legislation and create a framework for modern fiduciary practice, providing a model for other jurisdictions to follow.

The Trustee Amendment Act 2025, which is now in effect, clarifies trustees’ ability to adopt responsible investing approaches, which consider not only financial returns but also reflect the settlor’s and beneficiaries’ wishes in relation to broader social, environmental and other impacts. Whilst trustees should consider material factors that affect financial performance under existing law, including environmental and social factors, this legislation adds certainty that trustees may also consider settlors’ and beneficiaries’ views or ethical stances on the broader impacts of the trust’s investments.

This development responds to the growing demand for responsible investment approaches, beyond purely financial motivators, driven by settlors and beneficiaries who wish their trusts to reflect both financial and non-financial priorities. The legislative model enables trust administration to be more strongly aligned with family legacy, succession planning and shared values. It also seeks to reduce trustee risk and enhance transparency, as well as facilitate responsible investing approaches that can support long-term value creation and sustainable development, contributing to global social and environmental solutions.

The reforms have been driven by Bermuda’s trust industry, led by Gina Pereira TEP of Dana Stewardship Advisory, in association with the Bermuda Business Development Agency, with the technical support of Harbottle & Lewis partner Chris Moorcroft TEP, and Edward Cumming KC and Niamh Davis of XXIV Old Buildings. The initiative is supported by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

The Trustee Amendment Act 2025 is part of a broader reform package in Bermuda and one of two industry-proposed reforms centred on responsible stewardship of wealth. Alongside it, Bermuda has passed the Benefit Entities Act 2025, which creates an opt-in framework for companies, LLCs and limited partnerships to embed responsible business practices and chosen public benefits in governance and decision-making. This is due to come into effect before the end of the year.

On the reforms, Harbottle & Lewis partner Chris Moorcroft said:

“It has been a privilege to support Bermuda’s trust industry, in particular Gina and the BDA, on implementing these groundbreaking reforms to trust law in Bermuda, which place Bermuda at the forefront of global trust law evolution. I congratulate Bermuda for its innovative approach and leadership.

The issues this legislation looks to address, however, are not unique to Bermuda. We therefore very much hope and expect to see other jurisdictions, encouraged and supported by STEP, follow the lead of Bermuda and look to enact similar reforms to enhance and modernise trust laws on a global scale, which will benefit trustees, beneficiaries, and the industry and society as a whole.”

Contact: Alex Molyneux, Communications & Marketing Manager: [email protected]

Follow the links to find announcements from the Bermuda Business Development Agency, STEP and XXIV Old Buildings.