Abigail Payne
UK Guide 2025
Band 3 : Media & Entertainment: Film & Television
Band 3
About
Provided by Abigail Payne
Practice Areas
Abigail is a Partner in the Film and TV Group providing advice on all aspects of development, finance, production and distribution of feature films and television productions and exploitation of ancillary rights. Particular expertise is in advising film funds, EIS schemes and structuring international co-productions and providing advice on tax incentives (including the film and high-end TV and animation production tax credits), and international subsidies for a wide international client base of producers, distributors, broadcasters, exhibitors, agents, insurance companies, artists and literary estates.
Career
Trained Theodore Goddard; qualified 1995;
Business Affairs Executive BBC (Drama) 1995-97;
Harbottle & Lewis since 1997 to current, Partner since 2002
Professional Memberships
BAFTA
Women in Film & Television
Personal
Abigail speaks both French and German and in her leisure time she enjoys tennis, skiing, cycling and running.
Chambers Review
UK
Abigail Payne acts for clients on all sides of the film and television industry on production, finance and also rights arrangements. She has recently helped multiple publishers and literary estates with respect to book adaptations.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Abigail is incredibly professional and always takes the kind and friendly approach."
"Abigail is incredibly professional and always takes the kind and friendly approach."