Sport

What our Sports Law Barristers offer

Kings Chambers’ Sports Law team have been involved in some of the most substantial and high profile sports cases nationally in recent years involving commercial dispute resolution, disciplinary and regulatory proceedings, anti-doping rules, employment issues, sports-related personal injury, breach of confidentiality and privacy, wealth management issues, intellectual property including image rights, trademark infringement and breach of copyright.

They are also regularly involved in the most substantial and high-profile cases at both a national and international level across a wide range of sports including football, athletics, boxing, cricket, cycling, darts, e-sports, equestrian, golf, horseracing, motorsport, Oympic sports, rugby (League and Union), snooker, swimming, tennis with a number being recognised by legal directories for their pre-eminent expertise.

Our specialist sports law barristers regularly appear before sporting disciplinary and appeals panels, as well in the High Court and before arbitral tribunals. This includes proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport and FIFA’s Player Status Committee and Dispute Resolution Chamber.

A number of our barristers have also been appointed to Sport Resolutions Arbitrations Panel; the National Anti-Doping Panel; the Football Association Judicial Panel and the EFL Dispute Resolution Commission, as well as chairing disciplinary panels for the FA, the ECB; British Cycling; England Boxing and British Gymnastics.

Members of the team also accept appointments to sit as arbitrators and have experience of a wide variety of arbitral rules and procedures.

What the directories say about our Sports Team Barristers;

Chambers UK consistently recognises our specialist barristers in this field of expertise which exists at Kings Chambers. In addition to our individual barrister rankings, Chambers UK also ranks Kings Chambers as Band 1 for Sport (The Regions).

A selection of quotes from the most recent 2019 edition;

David Casement QC - Highly experienced barrister with one of the most impressive sports offerings outside London. He is recognised for his diverse practice as an arbitrator, counsel and panel chair. Strengths: "David has an exceptional reputation for handling high-profile and complex sporting disputes. His knowledge of the legal and regulatory frameworks is second to none."
Recent work: Represented Manchester City FC in obtaining trespass injunctions against a number of individuals who engaged in parkour at the Etihad Stadium.

Neil Berragan - Experienced in commercial litigation relating to sports including rugby, football and British professional wrestling. Strengths: "He is supremely bright, his paperwork is excellent and he is user-friendly."

Martin Budworth - Well versed in employment-related disputes, especially those relating to football. He is also adept at handling cases concerning the Olympics and cycling. He sits as an arbitrator for Sports Resolutions and the Football League. Strengths: “He is astute, approachable and understands the sports industry” ”Experienced, no-nonsense, pragmatic and a very client-focused adviser”.

Steven Flynn - Trusted by players and governing bodies alike for his astute counsel in proceedings examining conduct within the game. He is active in RFU and FA misconduct hearings, as well as internal club disciplinary matters, and commercial disputes. Strengths: "Very clear and concise in his advice to clients. Extremely knowledgeable when it comes to rugby, in particular when dealing with regulatory matters." "He has the best knowledge of on-field disciplinary work and is a go-to in the area."