FAIRBRIDGE ARDERNE & LAWTON INC
Attorneys in Sandton

Fairbridges Wertheim Becker is pleased to be featured in the Chambers & Partners Guide as a notable South African firm seen to be active and accomplished in Dispute Resolution. Fairbridges, established in Cape Town in 1812, and Wertheim Becker, founded in Johannesburg in 1904, brought together their matching values and vision to forge a strategic consolidation of their significant resources, expertise and experience. Fairbridges Wertheim Becker is the oldest law firm in Africa and in the Southern Hemisphere. With offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town, the firm is ideally positioned to provide effective, professional legal services to both domestic and international clients. With a reputation built on the ability to provide economic, practical, innovative and constructive legal support that is both principled and pragmatic, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional representation. Our emphasis is on partnering with clients to fulfil their legal needs timeously and strategically. Representing a broad spectrum of clients from film and television producers to writers, artists, directors, studios, representative bodies, musicians, publishers and suppliers, we can assist with all entertainment related legal needs. Our clients include some of the top film and television producers and artists in the country, as well as aspirant film makers and business start-ups. Film and Television We are steadily growing our reputation as a preferred advisor for foreign film and television producers who wish to do business in South Africa. With a favourable currency exchange rate, stunning locations, state-of-the-art studios, experienced crew and reliable government incentives, South Africa provides an attractive service and co-production environment. We have been instructed on large budget, international projects including engagements as Legal Counsel to US television series producers, foreign corporate banking institutions, private financiers and treaty co-producers. Our advice has ranged from business set-up and production in South Africa to servicing and facilitation agreements, co-production agreements, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) incentives and the financing and securitisation of international film and television projects. Music Our music practice continues to grow with the department currently representing a number of successful artists and music producers in the industry. We have assisted with the negotiation of recording, publishing and management deals and in royalty, ancillary income and 360 deal rights disputes and calculations. We therefore offer a fixed fee retainer package to filmmakers to facilitate access to professional legal advice from development through to distribution. Our retainers are structured around the unique complexities of each project and take into account cash flow requirements, financing and project stages. Aside from an initial deposit (usually around 15% of our overall fee) our fee is fixed, locked to budget and payable at certain key milestones, subject to financing and project completion. This provides the market with access to professional legal services and representation with limited fee exposure should the project not proceed. In most instances, our fees qualify as QSAPE for purposes of the DTI Rebate, which makes this option particularly attractive. Under this arrangement we assist with overall deal structuring, planning, the development of budgets and creative decisions around cast, script and director. We represent our clients at domestic and foreign film markets and are able to leverage our connections in the industry when required.