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Ilona Bateson

Associate

I am a commercial lawyer with a focus on the retail, technology, and advertising sectors.

ilona-bateson

About

My practice involves advising on various commercial contracts, especially in service supply related to technology, digital platforms, social media, marketing, and advertising.

I provide guidance on advertising partnerships, deals with influencers and brand ambassadors, agreements in technology and media, as well as licensing and concession deals. I ensure that brand marketing activities comply with legal standards. Additionally, I handle consumer law, intellectual property, and ESG matters, along with supply and distribution agreements. My clients range from well-established to up-and-coming brands in retail, luxury goods, fashion, beauty, design, music, entertainment, and other creative fields.

My hands-on industry experience is enhanced by secondments at a leading international drinks company and at Nike EMEA, where I gained direct experience in the legal challenges and business operations of global enterprises.

If you need legal assistance that blends sector-specific knowledge with a clear understanding of commercial law, I'm here to help your brand navigate legal requirements and capitalize on business opportunities.

I am admitted to practise in England and Wales.

Experience

  • Advising Nike’s legal brand and marketing team, including drafting and negotiating creative services agreements, brand ambassador deals and product collaboration agreements. 
  • Advising premium audio brand, Bowers & Wilkins on various marketing campaigns including the hosting of events and exploitation of digital content. 
  • Advising Value Retail, owner of Bicester Village and luxury outlet shopping destination on various marketing matters, loyalty agreements and other commercial contracts. 
  • Drafting and negotiating an exclusive distribution agreement with an Italian fashion brand.
  • Acting for an online beauty concierge, advising on both merchant and consumer terms and conditions. 
  • Acting for a leading London interior design company and advising on terms of sale, manufacturing agreements and environmental policies.
  • Advising a luxury skiwear brand on wholesale terms and conditions.
  • Advising Rapha on distribution arrangements.
  • Advising Sage on its global media buying and planning agreement with key media agency.
  • Acting for a Michelin star chef on a licensing and concession agreement for a restaurant in the stadium at a premier league football club.
  • Advising the Stonegate Group on various commercial agreements, across technology, marketing, advertising and logistics. 
  • Advising Universal Music in relation to various promotional marketing issues, including advising on competition and influencer terms and conditions. 
  • Acting for an events production company and advising on key commercial templates and agreements with brands. 
  • Drafting Modern Slavery Act policies and providing related advice to a number of key clients. 

Our thinking

  • Retail Collection – Episode 1: URBN

    Ilona Bateson

    Podcasts

  • What do new sustainability rules mean for the fashion industry?

    Ilona Bateson

    Insights

  • Cara Imbrailo and Ilona Bateson write for Fashion Capital on pop-up shops

    Cara Imbrailo

    In The Press

  • Retail Week quotes Ilona Bateson on the CMA’s investigation into environmental claims in the fashion retail sector

    Ilona Bateson

    In The Press

  • Fashion and the Green Claims Code brought into focus by open letter from the CMA.

    Ilona Bateson

    Quick Reads

  • Advertising in the Metaverse

    Ilona Bateson

    Insights

  • Top of the corporate agenda: modern slavery failings and mandatory supply chain disclosures

    Ilona Bateson

    Insights

  • Charles Russell Speechlys advises Puma Private Equity on its investment into MUSO

    David Coates

    News

  • Charles Russell Speechlys has advised long-standing client Stonegate on a series A investment into Peckwater Brands

    David Coates

    News

  • Jonathan McDonald and Ilona Bateson write for P3 Pharmacy on data protection compliance for pharmacy business owners

    Ilona Bateson

    In The Press

  • ICO's new Age Appropriate Design Code: The impact on business

    Ilona Bateson

    Quick Reads

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