Headed up by the ‘unflappable’ Tom Barnard, the Irwin Mitchell team stands out for its work with sporting governing bodies, high-profile professional athletes, and major sports brands on complex commercial and corporate matters. The practice’s contentious offering ranges from wrongful termination and personal injury claims to proceedings at the High Court. In Gatwick, Barnard is an expert in corporate disputes and high-value regulatory arbitrations. Chichester-based Michael Taylor is knowledgeable on wealth and estate planning affairs. In Southampton, Hannah Clipston is a specialist in complicated commercial litigation and mediation issues.
Sport in South East
Irwin Mitchell
Responsables de la pratique:
Tom Barnard; Michael Taylor; Hannah Clipston
Les références
‘Tom Barnard is excellent and leads a top team.’
‘Tom Barnard is excellent and would not be out of place at any top sports practice. He is unflappable and provides a top service on both simple and complicated cases.’
Principaux clients
UK Athletics
Otmar Szafnauer
James Ellington
Millwall FC
Pure Gym
Gravity Fitness
British Rowing
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for UK Athletics across its entire business, including on high-profile disciplinary cases prosecuted by UK Athletics (e.g Fuzz Caan).
- Advising Otmar Szafnauer, Formula 1 CEO and team principal of Aston Martin F1 Team and Alpine F1 Team, in connection with his departure from Aston Martin F1 Team.
- Advised Millwall Football Club planning permission for a new football academy and training ground in West Kingsdown, Sevenoaks.
Dentons
Fielding a team of lawyers that specialise in the sports media, commercial litigation, and employment spheres, the Dentons practice routinely advises a host of governing bodies and major broadcasters in contentious and non-contentious matters. Headed up by Milton Keynes-based Sarah Lima - who focuses primarily on IP-related sporting issues - the group is highly regarded for its work in the entertainment, media and manufacturing sectors. Also in Milton Keynes, Rose McDowall is experienced in complex retail agreements for sports brands; Hollie Cook concentrates on commercial arrangements; and Kate Coppack is noted for her employment expertise.
Responsables de la pratique:
Henrietta Baker; Sarah Lima
Autres avocats clés:
Rose McDowall; Hollie Cook; Kate Coppack
Principaux clients
The Football Association
Viaplay
Principaux dossiers
- Advised on the responses to the UK&I Bid Dossier for UEFA EURO 2028, including assisting on a range of stakeholder agreements, reviewing existing event-related legislation in the UK, and managing the signing process of the hundreds of legal documents.
- Advised on Viaplay’s sale of Premier Sports.
RWK Goodman
Covering the gamut of corporate and commercial services to high-profile individuals spanning from racehorse owners to jockeys and trainers, RWK Goodman is valued for its ‘adaptability and professionalism’. Heading the outfit from his bases in London and Oxford, Richard Brooks is an expert in personal injury and sports regulatory work, while Charlotte Ebbutt is knowledgeable on sports-related commercial contracts and IP issues. Former co-head Andrew Chalk retired from practising in April 2023.
Responsables de la pratique:
Richard Brooks
Autres avocats clés:
Charlotte Ebbutt
Les références
‘We are a charity with diverse needs and there is always a member of the team to efficiently and professionally deal with any random issues that arise. Everyone is approachable and able to translate to laypersons language helping total understanding of the proposed actions.’
‘They are always polite, friendly and efficient. Value their integrity, adaptability and professionalism and have mostly engaged with Charlotte Ebbutt.’
‘I have no hesitation in fully acknowledging RWK for their professional approach and high level of understanding of our unique business. Quick response times in our industry are not always the norm but RWK excel in their work ethic and proactive approach.’
Principaux clients
The Professional Jockeys Association
Retraining of Racehorses
R M Beckett Limited
Jockeys Education and Training Scheme (JETS)
Women in Racing
Richard Hughes Racing
Mills Racing Limited
Chris Honour
David Futter
Principaux dossiers
- Advised racehorse trainer Chris Honour in a BHA investigation concerning race-fixing.
- Advised Mills Racing on the terms of their new Syndicate agreement and Racing Club agreement.
- Advised a racing partnership on the sale of a part share in a filly to an overseas buyer.
Stevens & Bolton LLP
Displaying vast expertise in football club acquisitions, IP brand protection, and sports-related employment law matters, the ‘responsive and thorough’ team at Stevens & Bolton LLP is praised for its work with sporting associations and shareholders. Based in Guilford, the ‘calm and measured’ Charles Maurice and Tom Collins co-lead the practice; Maurice chiefly focuses on commercial and tech issues, while Collins specialises in ownership and infringement disputes. Tom Lingard is additionally highlighted for his knowledge on protecting image rights.
Responsables de la pratique:
Charles Maurice; Tom Collins
Autres avocats clés:
Tom Lingard
Les références
‘The firm has great experience and expertise across the sports sector, in particular on IP and commercial work. From my experience, they have a real in-depth knowledge and understanding of the sports industry and can apply this knowledge to resolve complex legal issues for clients in this field. I know that many of the individuals in the sports group have worked for an array of high-profile sports clients across many different sports and various practice areas, so they are very well placed to advise clients in this sector. In terms of value for money, they cannot be matched.’
‘Charles Maurice brings a real background knowledge of sports issues in the commercial field and has been instrumental in the success of the sports group at S&B.’
‘Tom Collins is focused, very knowledgeable on the sports industry from a legal and current affairs perspective, and very personable.’
Principaux clients
Bond Group Sixways
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club
Euretco B.V.
Huel Ltd
Jenahura Players Ltd
NEP Group Inc/NEP UK Ltd
Square Ball Media Ltd
The Pitch Performance LLC
Tyrrell Promotions
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Brighton & Hove Albion FC, supporting it with its brand protection programme.
- Advising a high-end fashion label on its sponsorship deal for the Ryder Cup.
- Acting for the shareholders on various issues arising from the insolvency of a rugby club.
Moore Barlow
Particularly focused on the equestrian, polo, and gymnastics sub-sectors, Moore Barlow is praised for its ‘exemplary personal service’ to elite level players and clubs. The team is headed up by the Guildford-based Daniel Baker and Benjamin Millward, who specialise in disciplinary proceedings involving British Gymnastics and the FA, alongside commercial contract disputes. In Southampton, Sarah Jordan advises equestrian businesses and families; Chris Marsden negotiates sponsorship arrangements; and Dorothy Agnew is noted for her capabilities related to commercial agreements.
Responsables de la pratique:
Daniel Baker; Benjamin Millward
Autres avocats clés:
Sarah Jordan; Chris Marsden; Dorothy Agnew
Les références
‘Clarity of communication, always looking to advance their business offering, and find ways to support existing clients as their business needs change. They have embraced minority countryside sports such as polo and found a commercial offering to suit the sport.’
‘The personal attention that Moore Barlow offers has been superior to any other firm I have dealt with. They seek to meet the clients’ needs and make convenience a priority.’
‘Dedication to the case, attention to detail and surprising level of knowledge in a niche expertise rarely encountered outside the big cities. They represent across all disciplines and roles in the sports sector.’
Principaux clients
The Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers
The Rails Bookmakers Association
Cowdray Park Polo Club
Ham Polo Club
Malcolm Borwick
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Cowdray Park Polo Club on various matters along with the Cowdray Estate, including in relation to assisting it with arranging and running international polo matches on the estate.
- Advised Malcolm Borwick, international player and former captain of the England polo team, with property purchase and contractual matters relating to pony purchases.
- Acting for several different stakeholders in gymnastics, including an elite level national coach, for the purpose of responding to/defending against sporting governing body investigations and disciplinary proceedings.