Bio
Claire Milne is a partner within the Corporate department in the Isle of Man. She is Team Leader for the Intellectual Property and Science & Technology teams in the Isle of Man.
Claire has over 25 years´ experience (both in-house and in private practice) of all aspects of contentious and non-contentious IP rights across the spectrum and has dealt with all aspects of commercialisation of IP rights for businesses ranging from start-ups and university spin-outs to large multi-national pharmaceutical companies. She has also worked on major bespoke software and hardware development projects, especially for the financial services and gaming sectors.
Claire specialises in advising online gaming and gambling operators, e-business companies and telecoms companies and also advises on data protection and outsourcing issues. Claire was Chair of the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission during the key period of 2007 – 2012. She was also founding member of the Isle of Man Data Protection Officers´ Forum.
Claire is the only lawyer in private practice in the Isle of Man who is a General Member of the International Masters of Gaming Law. She is a board member of the Finance Agency of the Isle of Man Government’s Department for Economic Development and is Chair of its skills sub-committee. Claire is a member of the Isle of Man Government’s eGaming Strategic Advisory Board (11+ years). Claire was also a non-executive director of Playtech Plc for 6 years and was Chair of the Risk Committee of Playtech and the Group’s interim Chair from May 2020 to May 2021. Claire has been a non-executive director of Zurich International Life Limited since 2019.
Claire was a founder of Love Tech Limited, a charity dedicated to encouraging girls and young women in careers in STEM.
Claire has co-authored the Isle of Man chapters in the International Comparative Guide (ICLG) to Gambling Laws & Regulations in its 2018 to 2024 editions, and has recently co-authored the ICLG to Fintech in its 2023 edition. Claire has authored the Isle of Man Chapter for the InceSights’ digital compliance library that is tailored to the online gambling market and filterable by jurisdiction, risk category and/or product.
Bio
Claire Milne is a partner within the Corporate department in the Isle of Man. She is Team Leader for the Intellectual Property and Science & Technology teams in the Isle of Man.
Claire has over 25 years´ experience (both in-house and in private practice) of all aspects of contentious and non-contentious IP rights across the spectrum and has dealt with all aspects of commercialisation of IP rights for businesses ranging from start-ups and university spin-outs to large multi-national pharmaceutical companies. She has also worked on major bespoke software and hardware development projects, especially for the financial services and gaming sectors.
Claire specialises in advising online gaming and gambling operators, e-business companies and telecoms companies and also advises on data protection and outsourcing issues. Claire was Chair of the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission during the key period of 2007 – 2012. She was also founding member of the Isle of Man Data Protection Officers´ Forum.
Claire is the only lawyer in private practice in the Isle of Man who is a General Member of the International Masters of Gaming Law. She is a board member of the Finance Agency of the Isle of Man Government’s Department for Economic Development and is Chair of its skills sub-committee. Claire is a member of the Isle of Man Government’s eGaming Strategic Advisory Board (11+ years). Claire was also a non-executive director of Playtech Plc for 6 years and was Chair of the Risk Committee of Playtech and the Group’s interim Chair from May 2020 to May 2021. Claire has been a non-executive director of Zurich International Life Limited since 2019.
Claire was a founder of Love Tech Limited, a charity dedicated to encouraging girls and young women in careers in STEM.
Claire has co-authored the Isle of Man chapters in the International Comparative Guide (ICLG) to Gambling Laws & Regulations in its 2018 to 2024 editions, and has recently co-authored the ICLG to Fintech in its 2023 edition. Claire has authored the Isle of Man Chapter for the InceSights’ digital compliance library that is tailored to the online gambling market and filterable by jurisdiction, risk category and/or product.
Work Highlights
Examples of Claire´s work include advising:
- The Government of the Isle of Man’s review of the Island´s IP legislation and recommending amendments thereto.
- A number of international banks and insurance companies on data protection issues especially around international transfers of personal data. Advising Tabcorp Holdings on its Co-mingling Agreement with the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
- A major multi jurisdiction licensed online gambling company on the re-organisation of its international business.
- William Hill on its acquisition of an Isle of Man land-based operator.
- A number of international banks and insurance companies on major IT outsourcing deals.
- Magic Circle firms on online gambling regulation in the Isle of Man.
- Advising Tabcorp Holdings on its Commingling Agreement with the Hong Kong Jockey Club
- A major multi jurisdiction licensed online gambling company on the re-organisation of its international business.
- A number of international banks and insurance companies on major IT outsourcing deals.
Examples of Claire´s work include advising:
- The Government of the Isle of Man’s review of the Island´s IP legislation and recommending amendments thereto.
- A number of international banks and insurance companies on data protection issues especially around international transfers of personal data. Advising Tabcorp Holdings on its Co-mingling Agreement with the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
- A major multi jurisdiction licensed online gambling company on the re-organisation of its international business.
- William Hill on its acquisition of an Isle of Man land-based operator.
- A number of international banks and insurance companies on major IT outsourcing deals.
- Magic Circle firms on online gambling regulation in the Isle of Man.
- Advising Tabcorp Holdings on its Commingling Agreement with the Hong Kong Jockey Club
- A major multi jurisdiction licensed online gambling company on the re-organisation of its international business.
- A number of international banks and insurance companies on major IT outsourcing deals.
Recognition
Claire Milne was individually recognised as a Band 1 lawyer in the 2025 edition of the Chambers and Partners FinTech Guide. Appleby is the only Isle of Man law firm to be recognised by the leading industry directory in the fintech sector.
Claire was also recognised as a ‘Leading Partner’ in the Legal 500 Gambling 2025 edition and client testimonials described Claire as ‘an industry veteran who not only clearly and deeply understands the IP and eGaming landscape but also remains at the forefront of regulatory change and innovation to ensure she is perfectly placed to bring considered composure and best-in-class advice to our clients.’
Claire is a member of The Law Society of Scotland, the Isle of Man Law Society and is a Writer to His Majesty’s Signet.
Claire Milne was individually recognised as a Band 1 lawyer in the 2025 edition of the Chambers and Partners FinTech Guide. Appleby is the only Isle of Man law firm to be recognised by the leading industry directory in the fintech sector.
Claire was also recognised as a ‘Leading Partner’ in the Legal 500 Gambling 2025 edition and client testimonials described Claire as ‘an industry veteran who not only clearly and deeply understands the IP and eGaming landscape but also remains at the forefront of regulatory change and innovation to ensure she is perfectly placed to bring considered composure and best-in-class advice to our clients.’
Claire is a member of The Law Society of Scotland, the Isle of Man Law Society and is a Writer to His Majesty’s Signet.
Coverage & Insights
Claire co-authored the first book on IP for Scottish lawyers in 2004. She has also lectured at the University of Stirling and the University of Dundee and was one of the founding contributors to the University of Edinburgh’s Distance Learning LLM Programme.
Claire penned the Isle of Man chapter to the Chambers and Partners’ “Fintech 2018” guide. She also contributed to Thomson Reuters´ Data Privacy Advisory Service, providing a high-level overview of data protection rules and principles in the Isle of Man.
In addition, she also contributed an Isle of Man chapter on gaming in the recent Eversheds Sutherland Horizon Scanning – Betting and Gaming quarterly review.
Claire co-authored the first book on IP for Scottish lawyers in 2004. She has also lectured at the University of Stirling and the University of Dundee and was one of the founding contributors to the University of Edinburgh’s Distance Learning LLM Programme.
Claire penned the Isle of Man chapter to the Chambers and Partners’ “Fintech 2018” guide. She also contributed to Thomson Reuters´ Data Privacy Advisory Service, providing a high-level overview of data protection rules and principles in the Isle of Man.
In addition, she also contributed an Isle of Man chapter on gaming in the recent Eversheds Sutherland Horizon Scanning – Betting and Gaming quarterly review.
Qualifications & Education
Claire has a masters degree from The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore and is a Manx advocate and a Writer to Her Majesty’s Signet. She is a Notary Public both in Scotland and the Isle of Man.
- The Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore)
- University of Aberdeen (Scotland)
Claire has a masters degree from The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore and is a Manx advocate and a Writer to Her Majesty’s Signet. She is a Notary Public both in Scotland and the Isle of Man.
- The Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore)
- University of Aberdeen (Scotland)
Memberships & Associations
Claire is a member of the Institute of Directors, the Licensing Executive Society and the Society for Computers and the Law and since 2002. Claire is a General Member of the International Masters of Gaming Law and a former member of the Isle of Man Data Protection Tribunal. In 2016, Claire was announced as a non-executive Director of Playtech, joining the Board as a recognised industry expert in eGaming, technology and regulation.
Claire is a member of the Institute of Directors, the Licensing Executive Society and the Society for Computers and the Law and since 2002. Claire is a General Member of the International Masters of Gaming Law and a former member of the Isle of Man Data Protection Tribunal. In 2016, Claire was announced as a non-executive Director of Playtech, joining the Board as a recognised industry expert in eGaming, technology and regulation.
“Claire Milne is an industry veteran who not only clearly and deeply understands the IP and eGaming landscape but also remains at the forefront of regulatory change and innovation to ensure she is perfectly placed to bring considered composure and best-in-class advice to our clients.”
“Claire Milne is our go-to lawyer in the Isle of Man. She has a great depth of experience and understanding of the sector.”
“Claire Milne is a leader in the gambling sector, and provides practical, expert support to our clients.”
“Claire Milne is a valued advisor to our clients, she is well regarded in our field and is clearly an expert in the sector offering advice in complementary areas including data protection. She uses her decades worth of experience to not only address what is asked of her, but also adds enormous value by raising further areas for consideration based on her understanding of the sector and its current landscape.”