Who We Are
Media Compliance Services LLP brings together three media professionals who bring together more than 80 years of combined experience of delivering and defending some of the most challenging and contentious programming to UK audiences.
We know how to manage and resolve the legal and regulatory obstacles which can obstruct even the best-produced programme. We understand what it takes to make your programmes fireproof. Through a limited liability partnership, we now offer this expertise, support and training across creative communities from independent producers to broadcasters, from sponsorship specialists to advertising agencies.
Our objectives are to help you maximise the potential of your creative and commercial opportunities and aspirations; to guide you through regulatory and legal frameworks which grow ever more complex; to support you in meeting the highest of broadcasters' editorial standards.
In an intensively competitive world, we want to enhance your competitive edge. We aim to do this in a user-friendly fashion, providing bespoke services at economical rates, and by collaborating, not competing, with your own programme lawyers or broadcaster compliance specialists.
Ian McBride
Ian is a journalist and programme maker with a 30 year record in delivering powerful and contentious programming, recognised by more than 20 national and international awards ranging from BAFTA and the RTS to Prix Italia and the International Emmies.
As Granada's head of factual drama, he contributed to some of the most forceful and demanding television pieces ever screened: Who Bombed Birmingham?, Fighting for Gemma and Hillsborough.
McBride is a former deputy editor and producer/director on Granada's World In Action, specialising in the sort of investigations which brought the current affairs series critical acclaim and profile. He led the uncovering and pursuit of the once-hopeless cause of the Birmingham Six, and Granada's campaign for their release, with five separate programmes over seven years.
He has extensive detailed knowledge of broadcast content regulation: he retired from ITV in the summer of 2008 after eight years as managing editor and director of compliance. He is now Senior director, News Standards & Policy at NBC News in London.
Belinda Copland
Belinda has specialised in media law for over 20 years, including five years as a partner at Goodman Derrick where she is now a consultant.
In her media law practice, she deals with all aspects of non-contentious and compliance work relating to television content and broadcasting. She also advises on a wide variety of media law matters including: defamation, contempt, copyright and breach of confidence.
Belinda has extensive experience of television current affairs and documentary, and has worked as a programme lawyer within ITV Compliance. She has also spent time on secondment at a major advertising agency as acting General Counsel.
A popular presenter of seminars, delegates attending her sessions have described her as "engaging", "entertaining" and "informative".
According to the Legal 500, she's also "client focused, communicates well and a pleasure to deal with’.
Patrick Swaffer
Patrick is a former solicitor: previously Senior Partner of Goodman Derrick, for 30 years Patrick has specialised in media (broadcasting, newspapers and book publishing), legislation and industry regulation, defamation, contempt, confidence and privacy, intellectual property, rights acquisitions and exploitation, sponsorship and production agreements.
He has extensive experience in television current affairs and documentary, and particular expertise in drama-documentary. He became President of the British Board of Film Classification in October 2012.
Patrick has counted many major media organisations among his clients.
Patrick has regularly been recommended by Chambers & Partners as a leading individual in both the Media/Entertainment and Defamation/Reputation Management sectors. Most recently he was cited for "commanding the full confidence of the client; he is sensible, he fights hard, he wants to win and he gives wise advice" and is "regarded as 'extremely knowledgeable on regulatory matters".
