Sport | UK Bar

Blackstone Chambers is a market-leading set of barristers able to deftly support clients worldwide on all manner of sports law issues. The barristers, praised for their "outstanding breadth and depth of experience", frequently appear in all UK courts and in arbitrations regarding commercial disputes, disciplinary proceedings, broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals and other disputes. Sources say it is "the go-to set for sports law work", which is emphasised by recent instructions, including high-profile representations of governing bodies, including the FA, FIFA, the RFU, the ICC, UK Athletics, UEFA, the Horserace Betting Levy Board and many others. Members have experience and expertise regarding a wide variety of sports, including football, rugby, cricket, sailing and tennis.

Derek Sutton is senior clerk.

4 New Square Chambers is a well-resourced set known for its broad offering of sports law services. The set is known for its extensive representation of sports governing bodies, agents, individual athletes and other related organisations. The "fiercely intelligent" barristers are able to support both domestic and foreign clients at all levels of the UK court system and regularly appear in the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. One source notes that "the depth and breadth of expertise is clear; they will always be my first choice for sports law." Members have deep knowledge of the legal issues arising in many sports, including football, cricket, horse racing, boxing, rugby, cycling and athletics. Members have handled cases including those relating to betting regulations, anti-doping issues, rule breaches, professional misconduct and disqualifications. Members have recently been involved in World Professional Snooker & Billiards Association v Mark King, involving allegations of match fixing for financial gain.

Lizzy Stewart is senior clerk and CEO.

The barristers at Littleton Chambers have a strong pedigree when it comes to sports law disputes. Sources praise their "excellent technical expertise, along with practical experience across a variety of unique matters". They act for sporting organisations and individuals on commercial, employment and sport-specific regulatory issues. Members are "really experts in their field and very passionate about the subject area", and entrusted with complex cases such as those involving anti-doping charges, wrongful dismissals, defamation, breaches of contract and others. The set has broad experience across many sports, such as football, rugby, athletics, cycling, gymnastic and boxing. Members regularly appear in the UK courts as well as before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. Members of the set have been involved in Rugby Football League v Herman Ese’ese, which concerns a disciplinary charge arising from an alleged incident of racial abuse.

Jason Drakeford is the senior clerk.

11KBW is a multidisciplinary set that wins acclaim for its barristers' level of experience in sports law matters. They are praised for their "specialist knowledge and expertise" and for their "top-drawer" commercial awareness. They are frequently called upon to advise and represent individual athletes, sports clubs and governing bodies in matters spanning across football, rugby, cricket, motor racing and boxing. Members are regularly engaged in sports-related litigation. Members were recently instructed in Mendy v Manchester City FC, representing the club in a case alleging withheld wages.

Mark Dann is senior clerk.

39 Essex Chambers is an experienced set featuring barristers who are adept at handling a broad range of sports law matters. It frequently acts for sport governing bodies, clubs, sportspersons and insurers, among other domestic and international clients. It is praised as a "very strong chambers for sports law", and its members are praised for having "strength in depth, skill and knowledge". The barristers have experience across an array of issues, frequently being instructed on personal injury and regulatory matters, as well as in high-stakes litigation. Members recently represented World Rugby in a Rugby Union concussion class action.

Peter Campbell is the director of clerking.

Monckton Chambers fields an experienced roster of barristers able to assist clients with all manner of sports law issues. Members are regularly instructed by sports governing bodies, sporting clubs, sponsors and individuals. The set is praised for its "expert knowledge of the sports industry", and takes on a broad range of cases, from disputes arising in international athletics to horse racing matters. The barristers handle an array of disputes concerning rule breaches, breaches of contract and licensing issues.

David Hockney and John Keegan are joint senior clerks.