Blockchain and the Metaverse

Commercial

Our Commercial team has advised clients on the contractual and other commercial arrangements that enable them to “enter the metaverse”, whether that advice involves setting up collaboration agreements with existing Web 3.0 businesses, drafting NFT licences, or providing a legal steer on commercial agreements.

Working from the firm’s network of offices across the South West, South East and London, the team acts as a single cohesive unit that provides “no-nonsense, results-focused” advice and support to major national and international businesses operating across different sectors. Many of our Commercial lawyers have spent a considerable amount of time working in-house on secondment with clients, and this experience has equipped them with commercial insight as well as practical and technical excellence.

Data, Privacy & Information Security

The way we live, buy, travel and are entertained – indeed all aspects of our lives – have been transformed by technological and digital advances.

We understand the commercial possibilities of data and seek to support you with the delivery of your data-related business strategy.

Intellectual Property

Every business, from start-ups. through to international business giants, has intellectual property rights.

At Foot Anstey, our expert lawyers have a holistic approach to helping you manage your intellectual property.

Islamic Finance

Our Islamic Finance team is closely monitoring the development of Shariah-compliant cryptoassets. As demand surges for innovative Shariah-compliant and ethical investment products, the team is contributing to wide-reaching innovative discourse on the subject of blockchain and its various technologies. We expect that developments in this area are imminent and are aiming to meet the demand for advisory support as it arises, from Muslims and non-Muslims alike who are interested in ethical investing.

The team also offers advice and support for both start-up and established fintech businesses, and draws on its specialist banking, real estate and investment knowledge to do so.

Retail Financial Services

We have a fully integrated Financial Services Litigation & Fraud practice, which deals with financial disputes, white collar crime, complex recoveries and fraud. The team also chairs the South West Fraud Forum and sits on the Board of the National Fraud Forum, thus enabling our lawyers to be strongly networked across various industries and sectors (public, private and third) when it comes to matters such as prevailing threats and regulatory and policy initiatives.

Risk advisory

Our Regulatory team has experience in analysing whether certain cryptoasset activities fall within the scope of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017 (and therefore whether these activities need to be registered with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority).

More generally, the team can support with:

• Working with businesses to highlight current and future regulatory changes across an industry
• Stress-testing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the UK’s Bribery Act 2010 and Criminal Finances Act 2017
• Advising and representing business and individuals in response to police investigations, court cases and confiscation practices resulting from allegations of fraud, unfair commercial practices and money laundering

Technology

Technology is at the heart of the way businesses interact, communicate, manage staff and position themselves in the marketplace.

Our technology team can add value by engaging with you on business and technology strategy as well as simply advising on legal issues.