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Seven Bedford Row
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T: +44 (0) 20 7242 3555   |   E: clerks@7br.co.uk

Sports Law

7 Bedford Row is one of the United Kingdom’s leading common law sets. Within Chambers we have the skills and experience to cover all sports-related matters such as commercial, criminal, fraud, employment and personal injury.  This wide range of specialist skills allows us to deal, in-house, with all aspects of a case. We are able to build a team designed to meet the particular needs of a client, be they corporate or individuals. Where appropriate we are able to accept direct instructions from both corporate and professional clients.

We provide urgent practical guidance when the most difficult issues arise and where the most careful analysis of risk and the right action are demanded. Our Chambers has an important and growing international dimension and our members advise and appear in a number of foreign jurisdictions.
 

We have particular expertise in the following areas: 

  • Commercial / contract drafting and disputes
  • Criminal aspects  
  • Employment issues
  • Fraud related matters (both civil and criminal)
  • Mediation
  • Personal Injury / Sports Injury

    • Recently reported cases:

    • Reynolds-v-Strutt & Parker [2011] EWHC 2263 (QB): duty owed by employer when employee injured during competitive bicycle race at team bonding event.
    • Woodland-v-Essex County Council [2011] EWHC 2631 (QB) Langstaff J: duty owed by school when pupil injured in school swimming lesson; leading case on whether school's duty can be delegated to external sports lesson provider.

    Recent cases include:

    • Acted on a landmark £10 million settlement for a rugby player arising from clinical negligence treatment by the physiotherapist in treating the player on the field of play.

    • Acted for premiership goal keeper who suffered serious hip injuries in an RTA which has affected his playing ability and his market value.

    • Acted for the Lawn Tennis Association for breach of contract for junior tennis player.

    • Acted for a national leisure company in the application of the "control" test in transferred vicarious liability; the meaning of "accidental bodily injury" in public liability.

    • Acted for a school boy who suffered brain injuries as the result of partial drowning on trip to local swimming baths.

    • Acted for a premiership footballer in a civil action brought for assault.

    • Acted for an under 19 national rugby player whose fractured wrist was negligently missed, ending his career.

    • Acted for a professional footballer on his PI Claim arising out of a career ending tackle.

    • Acted for a professional football club defending a claim brought by a previously dismissed manager.

    • Acted in a dispute over ownership of a non-league football club and its FA membership.

    • Acted for high profile football manager in his claim for unfair dismissal.

    • Acted for 2 employees for wrongful dismissal against premiership football club.

    • Acted for a top 20 golf club in an injury claim after a golfer played a dangerous shot and injured another golfer.

    • Acted in a Shareholders Dispute over the ownership of the FA share at a non league club.

    • Acted for a championship rugby club in high profile dispute over ground share agreement.

    • Acted for intermediate skier in negligence claim against a ski guide.

    • Acted for sub-aqua diving school allegedly failing to provide a suitable diving buddy for novice.

    • Acted for an agent in a dispute with a premier league rugby player.

    • Advised a top 20 golf club concerning the impact of the Equality Act 2010.

    • Acted for both professional and amateur footballers in criminal proceedings arising from violent incidents both on and off the field. 

    Members practising in this area: