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Sport
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Sport

1
- Brabners LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Gateley Plc (Manchester)
- Mills & Reeve LLP (Manchester)
2
- DAC Beachcroft LLP (Manchester)
- Hill Dickinson LLP (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Pinsent Masons LLP (Manchester)
3
- Adelphi Sports Law (Macclesfield)
- Cassell Moore (Liverpool)
- Centrefield LLP (Manchester)
- DWF (Liverpool, Manchester)
- Farleys Solicitors LLP (Manchester)
- Hillyer McKeown (Chester Liverpool)
- JMW Solicitors LLP (Manchester)
- Kennedys (Manchester)

Leading individuals

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Brabners LLP advised the Rugby Football League (RFL) on a range of matters from the application of salary cap regulations to successfully resisting defamation claims against the RFL and members of its management. It also advised International Sports Management and several of its high-profile clients including Lee Westwood on various sports-related issues. The ‘very experienced’ Jason Smith and team headMaurice Watkins are recommended. Matthew Bennett, Edward Canty and David Bentham left to establish boutique practice Centrefield LLP.

Gateley Plc has a team of ‘strong advisers that is trusted across the board by clubs, players, regulators and commercial stakeholders’. It was recently appointed as key legal adviser to Sport and Recreation Alliance. Other clients include Everton FC and International Netball Federation. John Burns has a ‘real presence in the market’ and heads the ‘excellent, dynamic and well-connected’ team.

At Mills & Reeve LLP, team head Mark Hovell sits as an arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Carol Couse is ‘very well regarded for her work with Spanish and South American clients’. Matthew Chantler is recommended for his work on doping cases. Key clients include the Professional Footballers’ Association.

DAC Beachcroft LLP has particular expertise in sports injury work and acts for an impressive client base that includes Manchester United, Sir Bradley Wiggins and former Everton player James Hall. Jan Levinson is highly regarded.

Hill Dickinson LLP’s multidisciplinary team focuses on sports contracts, litigation and regulatory matters with a focus on rights, reputation and brand management for clubs, promoters and athletes. The ‘vastly experienced’ Richard Green ‘gets things done and successfully resolves disputes quickly’. Geraldine Ryan is also singled out for praise.

At Pinsent Masons LLP, Julian Diaz-Rainey acts for major football clubs, sporting bodies and leading individuals on a broad range of issues from contractual disputes, disciplinary proceedings to sponsorship agreements. Samantha Livesey is also singled out for praise for her experience in sports law and equine matters.

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Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in North West for Sport

Recent developments in Chinese trade  mark law

Rouse currently authors the Intellectual Property section of The In-House Lawyer magazine. For more information and articles from this author click here .

- Rouse

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Cayman Islands Introduces Beneficial Ownership Register

The Cayman Islands government has now introduced legislative changes which will require relevant companies (“Relevant Companies ”) to prepare and maintain a register of beneficial owners (the “Register of Beneficial Owners ”).

- Stuarts, Walker Hersant Humphries Attorneys-At-Law

THE DANGERS OF CARTELS.

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp consider two recent cartel cases and examine why businesses must take care not to become involved in such behaviour.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE SFO AND SECTION TWO INTERVIEWS: WHY ROBUST DEFENCE IS NEEDED

Aziz Rahman explains why the SFO’s insistence that solicitors cannot be present for interviews under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act can be and should be challenged.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE FOURTH EU ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING DIRECTIVE: WHAT IT MEANS FOR BUSINESS

With the Directive coming into effect, Aziz Rahman examines its implications.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

THE HUGE COSTS OF BRIBERY

Aziz Rahman looks at the case of Petrofac, explains how bribery can ruin a company and emphasises what must be done to prevent it.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CROSS-BORDER INVESTIGATIONS

The huge Petrobras bribery scandal has engulfed companies in many countries. Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp explain what needs to be done if your company is investigated in more than one country.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CORRUPTION: HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF

Aziz Rahman outlines why allegations of corruption in football should act as a warning to everyone in business about the need to prevent wrongdoing.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

CHALLENGING FCA ACCUSATIONS

Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman explain how changes to the way the FCA investigates cases will make it easier for companies and individuals to negotiate the best possible outcome.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

OBTAINING A DPA

With deferred prosecution agreements (DPA’s) becoming more common, Aziz Rahman considers how a company under investigation can enhance its chances of obtaining one in order to avoid prosecution.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

WHAT THE CRIMINAL FINANCES BILL MEANS FOR ASSET SEIZURE AND FORFEITURE

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp examine the changes likely when the Criminal Finances Bill becomes law.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Pitmans crowned as top firm for trainee work/life balance

Pitmans has been awarded winner of the best work/life balance in the 2016 Lex 100 - a survey that is recognised as the most comprehensive valuation of training opportunities at law firms across the UK.

- Pitmans LLP

Gender Pay Gaps: The Latest Reporting Requirements

On average, male employees are paid more than female employees. In 2015, men working full-time were paid approximately 9.4% more than women working full-time. As a result, the government is working to introduce measures with the aim of reducing this gap.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans acts on Westcoast’s acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Ltd

Pitmans LLP has acted on behalf of its longstanding client, Westcoast (Holdings) Limited on its acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Limited.

- Pitmans LLP

Insolvency Update: Changes that take effect from April 2016

The Department of Justice has issued a practice direction in connection with the new insolvency express trials pilot.

- Pitmans LLP

The Apprenticeship Levy

Following last year’s autumn statement, HMRC has now published draft legislation which introduces the proposed new apprenticeship levy. The levy will have effect from 6 April 2017.

- Pitmans LLP

Coutinho -v- Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Ltd Judgment 29 April 2016

SOUTHAMPTON -- LV=, represented by Pitmans LLP, have won a case involving a fraudulent household insurance claim worth almost £50,000.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans promotes two Partners

Pitmans today announced that Oliver Kelly (corporate) and Matt Heyworth (private client) will become partners as of 1 May 2016.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans advised the acquirer and the management team on the £12M MBO of Westfield Medical

The management team were backed by Maven Capital Partners with PNC providing debt facilities.

- Pitmans LLP

Supreme Court ruling will lead to increase in business rates

Many businesses will be liable for increased business rates following last year’s Supreme Court ruling in Woolway (Valuation Officer) v Mazars LLP.

- Pitmans LLP

Pitmans advises Premier Marina Ltd on Noss Marina Acquisition

Pitmans has advised Premier Marinas Limited on its acquisition of Noss Marina, which is just outside Dartmouth, from the Administrators Duff & Phelps.

- Pitmans LLP