Sebastian Purnell

Practice Areas

Seb is ranked in the legal directories as a leading junior at the Bar in each of his three principal practice areas (Employment, Sport and Tax).

In 2021, he was appointed Junior Counsel to the Attorney General (B Panel) and he has substantial experience of representing the Crown in both employment and tax litigation.

Seb acts on behalf of both claimants and respondents in a broad range of complex and high-value employment litigation and has appeared in employment cases before the EAT, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He has a particular specialism in worker and employment status, and in discrimination and whistleblowing cases. His significant recent cases include PGMOL v HMRC in the Supreme Court concerning the employment status of professional football referees. He also has significant experience in conducting internal investigations, grievances and disciplinary processes for corporate clients.

Seb is also regularly instructed on behalf of HMRC and taxpayers in a broad range of tax litigation. Seb was formerly an Authorised Agent under the FA Football Agents Regulations. His sports law practice, and extensive knowledge of the sports industry, means he is uniquely placed to deal with tax litigation in a sports context.

Seb accepts instructions on all aspects of sports law, sports governance and sports-related disciplinary and safeguarding matters and has recently advised in relation to legal disputes in England (Premier League, Championship and League One), Scotland (Scottish Premiership), Greece (Superleague), Italy (Serie A) and North America (MLS).

Professional Memberships

ELA, ELBA, RBA