Charles heads the firm's Advertising & Marketing and Photography & Visual Arts Groups and advises clients drawn mainly from the advertising, design and photography industries. His clients include leading advertising, marketing and design agencies, trade associations, image libraries, photographers, agents and publishers.  He advises on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious issues with a particular emphasis on:

• Intellectual property contracts and disputes
• Competitions and prize draws
• Data protection
• Advertising agency contracts
• Talent and rights contracts
• Copy clearance
• ASA complaints
• Image library contracts
• E-commerce contracts
• Publishing contracts

Rated by Chambers & Partners as one of the three leading advertising lawyers in London, Charles is the Chairman of Adlaw International, a global network of specialist advertising law firms with members in 21 countries which he initiated in 1992.  He is a member of the Advertising Lawyers Group and was the first non-photographer director of the Association of Photographers.

Published work includes Copinger and Skone James on Copyright, 14th edition (Advertising Industry section), the BPLC's ABCD of UK Photographic Copyright and numerous articles in legal journals.  Charles is a frequent speaker at conferences and is an experienced television and press commentator.

Charles was previously at the Simkins Partnership from 1985 to 2005, where he headed the firm's Advertising & Marketing and Photography Groups and initiated in 1999 what is believed to have been the first e-bulletin service by a UK law firm.  Charles was a founding partner of Swan Turton in 2005. 

What the Legal Directories say:

Chambers & Partners

One client said about "outrageously smart" Charles Swan, "first thing you notice is how quiet he is, next thing it hits you that he has just completed the impossible deal for you."

"Charles Swan climbs the Chambers tables due to the fact that his "expertise is of such excellence," clients said. "Don't be fooled by his soft approach, his intellect will pierce you." Some clients went as far as saying that they "would follow him wherever he goes."

"Charles Swan "does not squander time arguing points for the sake of it."  With 20 years' experience working as an advertising lawyer, he is considered one of the most innovative lawyers in the market."

"Charles Swan's reputation as one of the area's gurus precedes him"

Legal 500

"Charles Swan is one of the advertising sector's leading lights"

"Charles Swan is an acknowledged expert on photographic issues"

"Very highly thought of - one client described him as 'superb' - he has a reputation for problem solving"

"very efficient and, though refreshingly reserved, his advice is remarkably robust"

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