Department profile
Clifford Chance LLP

Sport

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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Clifford Chance LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Sport - UK-wide

Band 3

What the Team is Known For
Clifford Chance is a respected firm with an accomplished sports law practice that focuses on handling significant contentious mandates. The team is particularly adept at assisting clients with regulatory and commercial claims, including business interruption and sponsorship disputes, as well as anti-doping and abuse cases in the industry. It has noteworthy strengths in football and athletics, and regularly acts for sports clubs and sporting event organisers.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Clifford Chance acted as the sole legal adviser to The Invictus Games Foundation. The team advised on the preparation and negotiation of the Event Hosting Agreement for the July 2027 Invictus Games, as well as the associated sponsorship deals.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Their level of experience in the industry and their client service is exceptional. The department are very responsive and can think quickly.

    Sport respondentUK

  • Clifford Chance provides detailed, thoughtful, balanced and innovative advice which seeks to identify and achieve outcomes through robust, constructive and collaborative dialogue.

    Sport respondentUK

  • Very detailed and experienced with commercial expertise. Their diverse experience provides the ability to work across complex areas, and their international breadth means they're always strong.

    Sport respondentUK

  • I appreciated the quality of the people and their friendly and professional attitude, which amplifies the power of the organisation.

    Sport respondentUK

  • The team possesses academic excellence and subject matter expertise, coupled with experience of major commercial and litigation matters.

    Sport respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Christopher Yates
    Christopher Yates

    Christopher Yates

    Christopher Yates is a sports lawyer with a strong contentious practice that covers the full gamut of commercial and regulatory disputes in the sector. He regularly advises sports clubs and event organisers in relation to sponsorship, broadcasting and branding disputes.

    • Chris provides outstanding advice at the strategic and partner level which always adds critical value to the business.

      Sport respondentUK

    • Chis is undoubtedly an impressive, experienced and knowledgeable lawyer. He can react and tailor advice very quickly to new problems, and is a great asset to any external organisations he works with.

      Sport respondentUK

    • An outstanding lead partner and colleague.

      Sport respondentUK
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  • James Cranston
    James Cranston

    James Cranston

    James Cranston is a partner with noteworthy experience representing clients in commercial and regulatory disputes in the sports sector. He is particularly adept at assisting with cases relating to cricket, football and athletics.

    • James is really commercial, super-intelligent and really hard-working. He always commits to deadlines and gets you what you need within that deadline.

      Sport respondentUK

    • James provided excellent support.

      Sport respondentUK
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  • Jamie Andrew
    Jamie Andrew

    Jamie Andrew

    Jamie Andrew is a commercial contract specialist in Clifford Chance's sports and entertainment group. He advises a range of clients across the sport sector on transactions, procurement and sponsorship, as well as on various other matters including technology and data regulation.

    • Jamie is a commercial powerhouse. He's a relaxed lawyer but in a negotiation he's like a lion, which are both amazing qualities. He gets you what you need as a client.

      Sport respondentUK

    • He was practical; our priority was getting the deal done and we didn't want to spend months haggling over small legal points. Jamie's expertise in sports sponsors was valuable.

      Sport respondentUK

    • Jamie is a very knowledgeable and dependable sports lawyer who can advise across diverse commercial and governance needs. He delivers services to a high standard and his experience is very valued.

      Sport respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Clifford Chance LLP (3)

UK-wide

Clifford Chance LLP has rankings in the following guides

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