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Nigel Abbas
Profile
Nigel joined 5RB in April 2011, after a number of years working in-house at Channel 4 and later as a sole practitioner barrister. He is one of the most experienced and sought-after television content lawyers in the country.
In 1996, following pupillage at 5RB, Nigel joined Channel 4’s legal and compliance department. In 2002, he set up his own consultancy firm and soon established a very successful media law advisory practice. Clients range from terrestrial broadcasters, publishers and large international television production companies with in-house legal departments, to small start-up companies, individual writers and artistes.
Nigel advises on all aspects of media law (including defamation, privacy, confidence, copyright, and contempt) and regulation (PCC, Ofcom), as they affect publishing and the making and broadcasting of television programmes and films in the UK.
Nigel has extensive experience of advising on, and handling threats of legal proceedings and complaints. He has handled numerous ‘standards’ and ‘fairness and privacy’ complaints to Ofcom, drafting detailed written submissions and has represented clients at hearings before both the Ofcom Fairness Committee and Ofcom Sanctions Committee.
Nigel is the primary author of Channel 4's and Channel 5's “Independent Producer Handbook”, a comprehensive practical guide to best practice, regulation and the law as they apply to the making and broadcasting of both broadcasters’ programmes. A major piece of work, equal in scale and ambition to the "BBC Guidelines", it is now the benchmark for best practice training and procedures in the UK independent television sector. The Handbook was published in 2008 and is made available in hard copy and online at http://www.independentproducerhandbook.co.uk
Over the years, Nigel has also worked as a ‘night lawyer’ for various newspapers including for: The Independent; Associated Newspapers; and Guardian Media Group.
Nigel has joined chambers to develop and broaden his practice and to focus more on litigation and advocacy. For further information about Nigel’s practice to date, examples of clients, recent cases and testimonials, please also see: www.nigelabbas.com
Career
Called
1995 Called to the Bar
Education
The Royal Grammar School, Newcastle
King's College London, Mathematics & Philosophy BA Hons
London Guildhall University, CPE
Inns of Court School of Law, Bar Vocational Course
Areas of work
- Defamation
- Privacy and Confidence
- Intellectual Property
- Reporting the Courts
- Pre-publication Advice
- Contempt
- Copyright
- Entertainment Law
- General Common Law
- Malicious Falsehood
- Media Law
- Passing off
- Publishing
Verbatim
“Nigel’s commitment and diligence are beyond question. His attention to detail and excellent drafting skills ensure he is a ‘safe pair of hands’ when dealing with high-profile programmes and complaints. His client care skills are also outstanding. He is always attentive and a pleasure to deal with”.
Prash Naik, Channel 4, Controller, Legal & Compliance
Testimonials
“Nigel combines an understanding of the client perspective with independent legal advice. This makes him very ‘user-friendly’. He has great skill in understanding not only the key areas of concern for the client but for foreseeing legal problems ahead”. Susan Aslan, Aslan Charles Kousetta LLP
“I trust his judgment completely”, Dorothy Byrne, Head of News and Current Affairs, Channel 4
“With his considerable knowledge and expertise, Nigel really brings something extra when dealing with thorny legal and compliance problems”. John Battle, Head of Compliance, ITN
“Nigel is imaginative, creative, utterly reliable, legally rigorous and terrific fun”. Richard McKerrow, Creative Director, Love Productions.