how to become a music lawyer uk

by Mrs. Shirley Connelly 7 min read

In addition to your law degree and board certification, you should have intimate knowledge of the music industry and a strong network within the music industry to be a successful music attorney. In fact, many music attorneys have a background in music before practicing law.

Full Answer

How do I become a music lawyer?

Music and entertainment industry Legal Services. Entertainment Industry Legal Services Ltd 37 Trinity Rd. East Finchley. London, N2 8JJ. UK. Tel:+44 (0)208 365 2962. Fax:+44 (0)208 365 2484. Contact:Howard Livingstone (Retired Solicitor) howardlivingstone22@gmail.com.

Is music law a good career for me?

Becoming a lawyer via the university route requires you to complete a qualifying law degree (LLB) before taking the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which is set to replace the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course (LPC) for all new entrants in September 2021, although there are transitional arrangements in place for those already studying these courses.

What degree do I need to be a lawyer?

Your career as an entertainment lawyer will start the same way as the career of any lawyer - with a law degree. You can begin this process by enrolling in a bachelor's degree program. Law schools don't require you to major in a specific subject, but you may choose to enter a pre-law program, which incorporates specific courses designed to prepare you for law school.

How to become an entertainment lawyer?

If you have a degree from a UK university. If you have a degree in any subject including law from a UK university, the route to becoming a solicitor in England and Wales is the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). Being phased in from September 2021, the SQE is the new centralised way to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, replacing the Legal Practice Course (LPC), which is …

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How much do music lawyers make UK?

PRS for Music Salary FAQs The average salary for a Lawyer is £61,881 per year in United Kingdom, which is 9% higher than the average PRS for Music salary of £56,591 per year for this job.Feb 25, 2021

Can you become a lawyer with a music degree?

Many Entertainment Lawyers majored in Legal Studies or Music Industry Studies as undergraduates. A degree in Music Industry Studies or something similar can give the future Lawyer an understanding of the many areas of the music business before they hunker down and dive deep into the law at law school.Jul 3, 2020

How many years does it take to become a lawyer UK?

six yearsHow long does it take to become a lawyer? If you study full time, it will take about five or six years to qualify as a solicitor. This includes a three-year law degree, the SQE assessments and two-years of qualifying legal work experience.

How much does a music lawyer cost?

Typically, a music lawyer will charge 5%. It could be 5% of a specific contract or 5% of your earnings from the music and entertainment business and your fee agreement should be clear on this.Jan 8, 2018

Where can I study entertainment law UK?

LLM Programs in Media Law / Entertainment Law - United Kingdom (UK) and IrelandQueen Mary University of London (QMUL) ... University of London - LL.M. ... Leicester De Montfort University Law School. ... University of Westminster School of Law. ... University of London - Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS)More items...

Which type of lawyer gets paid the most UK?

You'll find the highest salaries in areas such as commercial and corporate law, while family and personal injury law are less likely to draw big-figure salaries.

What GCSE Do I need to be a lawyer?

To study law, you'll need at least five GCSEs (or equivalent Level 2 qualifications) at grade 4/C or above, including Maths, English Language and Science. Courses are competitive, so you should aim for the highest grades possible.

Is being a lawyer worth it UK?

Advantages of becoming a solicitor. Respected Occupation. The role of a solicitor is highly valued and respected in the UK, and it can also be highly rewarding by working to achieve a successful outcome for your client or community. Excellent career progression.Oct 6, 2019

How much do lawyers make a month UK?

Lawyer Salary in the UK The average salary for a Lawyer is £68,700 gross per year (£4,030 net per month), which is £39,100 (+132%) higher than the UK's national average salary. A Lawyer can expect an average starting salary of £25,000. The highest salaries can exceed £200,000.

Who is Drake's lawyer?

In court documents obtained by Radar Online, Drake's lawyer, Stanton “Larry” Stein, sayid Collins has no legal representation and that she hung up on him when he called to discuss her “frivolous” lawsuit.Dec 7, 2021

What is the copyright law on music?

Under current copyright law, the exclusive right to reproduce copyrighted works applies both to musical compositions and to sound recordings. The copyright owner of the musical composition -- the songwriters -- receives mechanical royalties for the reproduction and distribution of any recording of that composition.

How do I choose an entertainment lawyer?

Choosing an Entertainment LawyerExpertise -- Look for someone who has the specific background you need, in this case, handling contracts within the music industry.Experience -- Focus on finding a lawyer or firm that has years of experience in the area you need.More items...

What does a music lawyer do?

For superstar level clients, the Music Lawyer may also assist in licensing their image for merchandising purposes or handling the paperwork on sponsorship/endorsement deals. They may even get involved in non-business legal matters , such as prenuptial agreements or divorce settlements.

What do entertainment lawyers major in?

Many Entertainment Lawyers majored in Legal Studies or Music Industry Studies as undergraduates. A degree in Music Industry Studies or something similar can give the future Lawyer an understanding of the many areas of the music business before they hunker down and dive deep into the law at law school.

What is entertainment attorney?

Entertainment Attorneys help their clients to understand legal agreements, ensuring that the terms are in their clients’ best interests. They work with Recording Groups, Record Producers, Songwriters, Music Publishers, Record Label Executives, Music Producers, and Composers. They negotiate recording, merchandising, touring and publishing contracts, as well as Producer agreements.

How much do entertainment attorneys make?

Entertainment Attorney salaries can range from $77,000 to $186,000. Moo says “there are a couple different ways” Entertainment Attorneys are paid. “The flat fee for reviewing contracts is the most common because it’s the most affordable, especially for newer musicians.

What do people think of entertainment attorneys?

When most people think of Entertainment Attorneys they envision a flashy, high-powered office and an intense workload. While this is certainly the case at many big-name firms, other Attorneys find this type of corporate environment doesn’t sit well with their creative clients.

What is the best book about music?

There’s a great book called All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald Passman. That’s a terrific book to read because it gives a real overview of how the industry is. Figure out what kind of music you like. If you can find great music and bring it to a company or develop it yourself that’s super valuable.

Do you have to wait for someone to hand you something?

You have to go out and do it yourself, and then you have value in the entertainment industry. That’s creating value.”. “Don’t wait for someone to hand you something. When you’re in school you should try to get internships to learn how the industry is set up.

EXPERIENCE

I am a retired solicitor with over 14 years experience specialising in entertainment industry legal work (commercial and litigation). I ran my own law firm as a sole practitioner for 14 years until October 2008 (with a 100% claims free record).

AREAS OF WORK COVERED

Any type of industry agreement drafted to clients' specific requirements (Recording, Licensing, Publishing, Management, Profit Share/Royalty deals, Producer, Remixer, Ft Vocalist, Session, Tour, Agency, Co-Writers, Band Agreements, Distribution, Commissions, Clearances, Standard Terms and Conditions etc).

PRICES

My rates are highly competitive. I strongly doubt a client will find cheaper anywhere for my level of experience and know-how. If you go to a solicitors firm you may well find your work being done by a junior lawyer with far less experience and at a much higher cost.

What is music law?

Music law includes any laws of any kind that apply to the business of creating, selling, performing and listening to music. Music law is a part of entertainment law.

Why is music law important?

Music law is important to creating and performing music . Music lawyers do their part to help their clients understand the laws and protect their interests. While the music industry primarily involves licensing and contract law, music law may involve a number of different types of law that are all a part of creating and performing music.

Why are contracts important in music?

Many performers and event producers are independent contractors, and music producers rely on distributors to sell their work. For all of these people in the music industry, contracts are important to make sure that everyone involved has clear expectations. Even consumers use contract law in the music industry. Anyone who buys a subscription to a music service or even buys a concert ticket has some interaction with music-related contract law.

What are the entities that broadcast music?

There are many entities that broadcast music. Radio stations, television stations, bars, restaurants and even schools broadcast music or perform it live. There are music laws that determine what a person or group must do in order to broadcast or perform music. Because the creator of a musical work gets a copyright for the work, ...

Do musicians need a visa to travel to another country?

To enter the United States, non-citizen musicians generally need one of a number of different P category visas depending on the nature of their work. Music lawyers must help their clients secure the visas that they need in order to enter the country for their intended purpose.

Is music a federal or state law?

Music laws may be federal, state and local. There are a number of federal laws that impact the music industry. There are also state laws that may vary from one state to another. Even a local authority like a municipality may make a law that impacts the music industry. Music attorneys must be careful to look at all sources ...

Can you buy sheet music without a license?

Buying the sheet music alone doesn’t give a consumer the right to perform a musical work. Instead, the purchaser needs a license to perform the work live. Exceptions to licensing requirements are called Fair Use. The courts look at fair use exceptions on a case by case basis in order to determine whether the performer violates licensing laws by performing the work without a license. Some fair use exceptions include:

How do I become a lawyer?

If you want to become a lawyer there are a number of ways for you to achieve your goal, from studying a traditional law degree to embarking on an apprenticeship. Find out more about qualifying to work in the legal profession.

How do I become a barrister in England?

To become a barrister in England and Wales you need to complete at least three stages or components of training. These include the academic component (law degree), vocational component (a Bar course, traditionally the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)) and pupillage also known as the work-based learning component.

How long does it take to become a barrister?

Becoming a fully-fledged barrister takes five years - including three years for your law degree, one year for a Bar course and a one-year pupillage in chambers.

What is paralegal work?

Paralegals carry out legal work without being qualified as a solicitor or barrister. They support lawyers by, for instance, preparing briefing notes and interviewing clients and witnesses. Try to arrange work shadowing and work experience placements, and attend insight days, to help you decide which path suits you.

What is a lawyer?

Lawyer is a general term referring to anyone who is qualified to give legal advice as a licensed legal practitioner. This includes solicitors and barristers. Solicitors provide legal support, advice and services to clients, who can be individuals, private companies, public sector organisations or other groups.

How long is a solicitor apprenticeship?

You can then apply for admission to the roll of solicitors. It’s also possible to complete a Solicitor Apprenticeship, which is a six-year, Level 7 programme aimed at A-level graduates, paralegals and chartered legal executives. Find out more about law apprenticeships.

What are the skills required to become a lawyer?

verbal and written reasoning skills. ability to understand and interpret information. inductive and deductive reasoning abilities. ability to analyse information and draw conclusions. To find out more about specific skills, see 7 skills for a successful law career.

What do lawyers need to know?

Lawyers require extensive legal knowledge . They must have a Juris Doctor degree, and must also pass the bar exam before they can practice law. They often specialize in a specific field of law, such as criminal law, business law or immigration law. Entertainment lawyers focus on the entertainment industry. They work with contracts in the music, ...

What are the responsibilities of an entertainment lawyer?

Job Responsibilities. Provide legal counsel to businesses and individuals in the entertainment industry; negotiate contracts and handle issues related to defamation, copyright, and intellectual property; argue in court when necessary. Licensure.

What degree do paralegals need?

They are required to have an associate's degree.

What degree do you need to be an arbitrator?

They need a bachelor's degree, a familiarity with the law, and the ability to recommend contract terms for the parties to agree on.

What is entertainment law?

Entertainment lawyers focus on the entertainment industry. They work with contracts in the music, television, film and publishing industries. They advise clients on the terms of the contract, alert them to any concerns with the contract, and may also draft contracts for companies or individuals.

What are some examples of legal representation?

Typical examples include writers' strikes, defamation suits and contract negotiations. You can represent individuals, like actors and directors, and firms, such as production companies. You'll apply your extensive training in areas such as copyright, contract and intellectual property law.

How long is a solicitor training contract?

The training contract, which includes the Professional Skills Course, is the final stage on the path to qualifying as a solicitor. The training contract is a two-year period of practice-based training started after completion of the Legal Practice Course.

How long does it take for a law society to assess a provider?

Law Society assessments are made after a three-day visit to the provider by Law Society assessors; they include details of the provider's current offerings, its strengths and weaknesses, and a list of recommendations made by the Law Society to the provider and the current grade or rating assigned to the provider by the assessors.

When did the LPC become mandatory?

A new Legal Practice Course was announced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in 2009, and became mandatory from September 2011 as part of their new education and training framework. The changes aim to give flexibility to students and a real opportunity for all firms to influence the shape of LPC courses.

When will the 2021 graduate degree in law be available?

Online application forms for full-time 2021–22 Graduate Diploma in Law will be available from 1 November 2020.

How many years do you have to take the GDL?

Part-time and distance-learning students must complete the GDL course within four years .

How much do musicologists make?

On average, Musicologists earn approximately $52,800 annually . The salary range for Musicologists runs from $10,000 to $269,000. How Musicologists earn income will depend on their job title and duties. For most Musicologists in academia, the goal is to land a tenure-track position.

What is the career path of a musicologist?

Musicologists begin their careers while still in graduate school, honing their skills by serving as Teaching Assistants. After graduation, they may land a position as an Adjunct Professor, Lecturer, or Assistant Professor.

What is the job of a musicologist?

Musicologists study music in a historical, critical, or scientific context. The majority of Musicologists are employed by institutes of higher education, where they conduct research, publish papers, and teach college-level classes. Alternate Titles. Professor of Musicology. Avg. Salary.

What is the study of music called?

Musicology is a fancy word for the study of music. It’s an overarching term for the scholarly study of different aspects of music, including the study of music through historical, cultural, scientific, and systematic lenses.

What is the term for a person who studies the musical practices of a certain group of people?

Alison Stolpa (Careers in Music Staff) Historical musicology refers simply to music history. Cultural musicology is often referred to as ethnomusicology, where an individual studies the musical practices of a certain group of people.

How long does it take to get a PhD in musicology?

Musicology students delve into how music interacts with language, psychology, anthropology, music theory, history, and culture. Over the four years it takes to earn a PhD they take classes in general music, music theory, and performance. They also conduct their own research and write academic studies intended for publication.

Who is Jeremy Smith?

Jeremy Smith. Jeremy Smith is a Professor of Musicology at the University of Colorado in Boulder. His primary research focus is on the music of the English Renaissance, with a secondary focus on progressive rock. He has a chapter in the recent book Charles d’Orléans’ English Aesthetic: The Form, Poetics, and Style of ‘Fortunes Stabilnes’.

What are the skills required to become a lawyer?

flexibility – no two days are the same. commitment – training requires significant effort and resource. strong oral and written communication skills. A strong academic background is important, but employers also look for personal skills and attributes, for example: dedication.

How long do you have to study to become a solicitor?

You must study and train for at least six years full time, and competition for training contracts is high. Try to find out as much as you can about what a career in the law is like by: talking to solicitors, for example at careers fairs. applying for work experience. The qualification system for solicitors is changing.

What does a solicitor do?

Solicitors represent and defend clients’ legal interests and provide advice. Find out more about the work solicitors do, the skills needed and how to qualify. A career as a solicitor can be rewarding and intellectually challenging. There are many different areas of law you can specialise in, so the work can be varied.

Is a solicitor the same as a barrister?

A solicitor is different from a barrister. Someone who is looking for legal advice will normally see a solicitor first. If the client needs more specialist advice, then the solicitor may instruct a barrister. Solicitors and barristers both offer legal advice, and can also represent their clients in court, but barristers are more likely ...

Do barristers represent clients?

Solicitors and barristers both offer legal advice, and can also represent their clients in court , but barristers are more likely to do advocacy work, representing clients in the higher courts. Find out more about becoming a barrister on the Lawyer Portal website. Becoming a solicitor takes a lot of commitment.

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Who Does Music Law Impact?

  • Music laws impact most people in society in one way or another. Music law impacts the people who write music and the distributors who purchase the rightsto perform and sell music. Music law also impacts performers who must have a legal right to perform music. Businesses that seemingly have no relation to music law like restaurants must ensure that ...
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Federal, State and Local Laws May Apply

  • Music laws may be federal, state and local. There are a number of federal lawsthat impact the music industry. There are also state laws that may vary from one state to another. Even a local authority like a municipality may make a law that impacts the music industry. Music attorneys must be careful to look at all sources of law in order to advise their clients.
See more on legalcareerpath.com

Licensing and Publishing

  • The person who writes a song owns the legal right to it. They may choose to perform the song themselves, or they may choose to sell the rights to perform the song to someone else. A song writer can sell the rights outright, or they can allow someone else to perform the song while they get some of the profits. In addition, it’s up the artist or record label to negotiate with the song’s o…
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Broadcasting

  • Another important area of music law is the law that applies to broadcasting and the live performance of music. There are many entities that broadcast music. Radio stations, television stations, bars, restaurants and even schools broadcast music or perform it live. There are music laws that determine what a person or group must do in order to broadcast or perform music. Be…
See more on legalcareerpath.com

Live Performance

  • Buying the sheet music alone doesn’t give a consumer the right to perform a musical work. Instead, the purchaser needs a license to perform the work live. Exceptions to licensing requirements are called Fair Use. The courts look at fair use exceptions on a case by case basis in order to determine whether the performer violates licensing laws by performing the work withou…
See more on legalcareerpath.com

Other Areas of Music Law

  • While music law focuses primarily on copyright law and licensing, music law also involves other areas of law in the music business. Other types of law that are part of music law include:
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Who Practices Music Law?

  • Music lawyers are entertainment lawyers. They’re primarily contract lawyers, but they also work in all of the fields of law that music law may involve. Music lawyers also handle dispute resolution that may include formal litigation. While music lawyers work throughout the United States, they may concentrate in areas where musicians need their services. Some music lawyers may functi…
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Why Become A Music Lawyer?

  • For attorneys who enjoy contract lawand negotiations, music law may be a good fit. A lawyer who advises their client in all areas of music law may have a well-rounded practice. Lawyers who enjoy music may enjoy working on behalf of those in the music industry. Music law can be academically challenging, and it can involve many different types of law. A music lawyer can tailor their practi…
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Keeping The Beat with Music Law

  • Music law is important to creating and performing music. Music lawyers do their part to help their clients understand the laws and protect their interests. While the music industry primarily involves licensing and contract law, music law may involve a number of different types of law that are all a part of creating and performing music.
See more on legalcareerpath.com