Hayley Blyth

I am an associate in our Commercial Group in London and co-head of Bird & Bird's global Space and Satellite practice.

I advise clients across the space, satellite, technology and communications sectors, with particular expertise in emerging space technologies.

My work spans the full lifecycle of space enabled projects, including regulatory strategy, commercial contracting, space and spectrum policy, international and national space law, and the legal considerations underpinning complex missions and I regularly advise clients navigating this evolving landscape. I am particularly driven by how innovation is shaping the sector through novel operating models and disruptive technologies, and I am passionate about the opportunity to build legal frameworks that support sustainable long-term growth in commercial space activities.

Before joining Bird & Bird, I worked as in house legal counsel for a national space regulator and at a specialist space law firm. In these roles, I advised on space regulation and policy, gaining extensive experience across licensing, spectrum, safety and international obligations. I also supported government bodies and commercial operators on mission design, regulatory compliance and commercial arrangements for a wide range of space activities.

I work closely with colleagues across our international network to deliver integrated legal support for space enabled projects and the rapidly evolving commercial space ecosystem.

In addition to my focus on the space sector, I advise clients in the wider technology and communications industries on digital and communications regulation, tech related contracts and multi jurisdictional matters.

• Experience
• • Advising satellite operators on the regulatory frameworks, spectrum use and commercial considerations underpinning next generation services, including satellite direct to device (D2D) connectivity and other emerging operating models.
• • Acting for major satellite operators on UK space and spectrum licensing, including gateway earth station authorisations, end to end licensing strategy and ongoing compliance requirements.
• • Providing specialist space and communications regulatory and commercial support on corporate transactions, including due diligence on space-related contracts and advice on risks for acquisitions involving satellite and space enabled businesses.
• • Supporting government bodies and national space regulators on the development of space laws, licensing regimes and policy frameworks, including the design of future proofed regulatory systems for emerging technologies.
• • Advising governments and regulators on major public space programmes, including the regulatory and commercial aspects of significant grants, procurements and national capability initiatives.
• • Supporting clients through space licensing processes across multiple jurisdictions, including mission related issues such as spectrum, insurance, liability, export control, data protection and intellectual property.
• • Advising UK and international space companies on a range of commercial contracts, including launch services agreements, launch procurement arrangements and bespoke contractual structures for novel or complex missions.
• • Advising on the regulatory status and compliance considerations for communications services, including mobile, livestreaming and analytics based services.
• • Supporting global telecommunications and managed network service providers with compliance across multiple international jurisdictions, including the review of technology supply and distribution agreements.