McCormicks > Harrogate, England > Firm Profile

McCormicks > The Legal 500 Rankings

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 1

Standing out for the profile of Harrogate-based founding partner Peter McCormick, the sports practice at McCormicks continues to provide top-tier advice to its footballing clients, while also assisting a growing number of shooting groups, rugby clubs and cycling associations. McCormick, who has previously served as chairman of the Premier League and the Football Association, continues to actively advise on the regulatory and contracting aspects of major sports club buyouts and takeovers. He co-leads the practice alongside James Towler, a key contact for corporate and commercial matters, and sports litigation expert David Birks, who joined from Newtons Solicitors Limited in November 2022. Philip Edmondson departed the group in 2022 to Ward Hadaway LLP.

Corporate and commercial > EU and competition Tier 2

McCormicks is frequently entrusted by sport sector clients on competition law matters, with a particular focus on the football industry. Beyond that, the firm is also active in the construction and entertainment sectors. The team is led by Peter McCormick from Harrogate, who has experience in handling large-scale competition investigations. Philip Edmondson has recently departed the firm.

Crime, fraud and licensing > General crime and fraud Tier 2

The Harrogate-based McCormicks team handles the full spectrum of criminal defence work, with particular specialisms in historic sexual abuse, drug conspiracy, and corporate manslaughter cases. Additionally, the group has significant experience working with pharmacists and sports bodies. Peter Minnikin leads the team.

Private client > Agriculture and estates Tier 3

Peter McCormick leads the agriculture team at McCormicks, which is based in Harrogate. The team acts for a number of landed estates and other clients range from charities to individuals; its workload includes advising on the diversification of estates, residential property developments, and refinancing issues. The group also has particular expertise in handling work relating to shooting estates.

Private client > Charities and not-for-profit Tier 3

Peter McCormick leads the Harrogate-based charities team at McCormicks, offering advice to high-profile charities with focuses ranging from sports to nature. Working closely with the firm’s private client and corporate and commercial teams, the practice offers a range of expertise to clients, with notable experience supporting charities with their creation and registration with the Charities Commission, and providing continual advice regarding governance and development issues.

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 3

McCormicks‘ Harrogate private client team is led by Elaine Lightfoot. Its contentious trusts and probate workload includes Inheritance Act claims; issues of will validity involving issues of capacity and duress; and disputes between executors and trustees. The team also has experience regarding contentious family trusts and Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act claims.

Private client > Family: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Tier 3

The ‘fast-paced and accurate’ family team at McCormicks in Harrogate is led by managing partner Stephen Hopwood. The team includes Resolution members, and is committed to early negotiation and resolution for clients. Clients benefit from distinct experts in finance, domestic abuse and children law across the team. Its workload includes financial remedy after separation in situations involving businesses and multiple properties; additionally, the team has experience in children law cases involving domestic abuse and criminal allegations.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 4

Harrogate-based McCormicks‘ offering includes contractual and construction disputes, debt recovery, professional negligence, and contentious probate. The firm has specific expertise in sports litigation, with notable clients including the Premier League, Leeds United Football Club, and Wycombe Wanderers Football Club. David Birks leads the team, having joined the firm from Newtons Solicitors Limited in November 2022. Peter McCormick OBE is a key name.

Employment > Employment: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 4

McCormicks specialises particularly in employment law relating to sports organisations, with football and shooting being the two primary points of focus. The Harrogate team is active in relation to non-contentious work and it is led by Peter McCormick, who is eminent in the sports sector. Iain Jenkins is another name of note, and he acts across the technology, manufacturing, financial services, recruitment, transport, and healthcare sectors.

Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 4

David Birks leads the Harrogate-based insolvency and restructuring offering at McCormicks. The team’s practice focuses on sporting clients, with notable ongoing work for the Premier League. It also acts for and alongside local insolvency practitioners. Former practice head Philip Edmondson left for Ward Hadaway LLP in November 2022.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 4

Peter McCormick and Elaine Lightfoot co-head the private client team at McCormicks in Harrogate. The team focuses on estate planning and administration, alongside Court of Protection matters, and advising trustees and settlors. It has particular expertise regarding charitable trusts and the administration of complex estates.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 4

McCormicks is instructed by standout clients in the sport and entertainment sectors, as well as a number of developers and landed estates, to advise on boundary disputes, possession claims, and a diverse range of contentious tenancy matters. The practice is newly led by David Birks, who joined the team from Newtons Solicitors Limited in November 2022 and excels at handling dilapidation claims and development disputes. Commercial litigator Peter McCormick maintains close relations with the firm’s sports clients, and Alex Harrison is a key contact for landlord and tenant disputes. Former practice head Philip Edmondson left in November 2022.

Dispute resolution > Professional discipline Tier 4

Particularly well known for football-related disciplinary and regulatory matters, McCormicks also handles SRA investigations, SDT defence matters and NPA work. Peter McCormick OBE is a widely-respected sports expert; Peter Minnikin‘s workload incorporates disciplinary work involving medical practitioners; and litigation head David Birks is a 2022 hire from Newtons Solicitors Limited.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 4

Harrogate-based McCormicks leverages the experience and standing of Peter McCormick, chairman of the legal advisory group of the Premier League, to advise the elite league on a range of matters, including owners’ and directors’ tests during club takeovers and acquisitions, third party ownership disputes, and the stewardship and policing of stadiums. Sports team head James Towler is also a key contact for the Premier League, taking on a number of corporate and commercial instructions, including sponsorship, media rights and data protection agreements. David Birks, head of the commercial disputes and sports litigation team, is a further name to note.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Tier 5

McCormicks is well regarded for its expertise in the sports sector, with the team acting for clients such as the Premier League, Leeds United FC and Norwich City FC. Beyond that, it is also active in the hospitality and leisure sectors, as well as acting for owner-managed companies. The team is co-headed by Peter McCormick and James Towler from Harrogate.

Real estate > Commercial property: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 5

McCormicks stands out for its property advice to clients in the sports, charity and leisure sectors, including Leeds United and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society. The team frequently advises on the property aspects of sports clubs’ commercial operations, and it also assists with the development of residential and freehold sites for cultural and leisure activities. The practice is additionally instructed by an increasing number of retailers and corporate entities, which instruct the team to handle portfolio management as well as landlord and tenant work. Heather Roberts, who leads the team, is recommended for her ability to advise on a wide array of commercial property matters.

Dispute resolution > Mediators Tier 5

Peter McCormick OBE – McCormicks  McCormicks' senior partner Peter McCormick OBE is nationally recognised for his expertise in sports-related mediations.  McCormick is chair of the Premier League since 2022, and is regularly delegated by its board to resolve disputes through mediation.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Reputation management Tier 5

McCormicks regularly acts for some of the most significant organisations in the sports and entertainment sectors on defamation and other aspects of reputation management. Splitting his time between Harrogate and London, practice head Peter McCormick handles defamation issues for prominent sports clients, including Leeds United and The Premier League.