A lot of egos have been badly bruised by court. However, music lawyers are seeing an upsurge in new types of actions. And later on in the year, Mill will lead a landmark case representing the manager of child star Charlotte Church that could lead to a new authority on child acts. There has been no precedent in this area since a dispute involving The Hollies in 1968. Instructing firms believe that it takes a certain kind of barrister to address the challenges of this unique world.
Clients seem to be less discerning.
One is only as good as one's last case. Barristers operating in the music arena are an elite few, with Gordon Pollock QC, head of chambers at magic circle commercial set Essex Court, top of the tree. His presence in the courtroom is often more notable than the clients. Blackstone Chambers continues to be the benchmark for entertainment work with leading silks Robert Englehart QC, Ian Mill QC and leading senior juniors Robert Howe and Pushpinder Saini. Essex Court Chambers has Pollock, senior junior Richard Millett and Vernon Flynn, while 5 Raymond Buildings has Patrick Milmo QC and senior junior Stephen Bate.