Matrix Chambers

Mark Afeeva is a barrister practising in employment and discrimination law, sports law, commercial disputes, media and entertainment law, and mediation. Called in 1997 and practising at Matrix Chambers since 2000, he has been ranked for many years by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a leading junior in employment and sports law.

Employment and discrimination: Mark acts for individuals and organisations in claims involving unfair and wrongful dismissal, sex, race, disability and religious discrimination, contractual disputes and senior workplace relationships. He has particular experience of claims involving academic and financial institutions, professional bodies and public authorities. Cases include Anyanwu v South Bank University; Ben-Hassine v Birmingham University; Kamlesh Bahl v The Law Society; and Ali Dizaei v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

Sports law: Mark acts for athletes, clubs, agents and governing bodies in contractual, disciplinary, regulatory, agency and selection disputes. He has represented PFA members before FA, Premier League and Football League tribunals; football clubs before FIFA’s Dispute Resolution Chamber; and parties in High Court, arbitral and Court of Arbitration for Sport proceedings. Instructions have included matters concerning Michail Antonio, Christian Atsu, Sol Campbell, Sky Andrew and Jermain Defoe, and world triathlon champion Tim Don. He has negotiated professional football transfers and was formerly an FA Registered Intermediary. His practice has also included showjumping and badminton disputes.

Mediation and commercial experience: Mark is a Civil Mediation Council Associate Mediator. He accepts mediation instructions in employment and discrimination, executive, commercial and contractual, property-development and sports disputes. Alongside his legal practice, he is the Executive Director of a CQC-registered domiciliary-care provider employing nearly 300 people and delivering approximately 8,000 care hours weekly, with turnover approaching eight figures. He is also a property investor and Founder and Managing Director of Danelise Homes Limited, with experience spanning investment, development, finance and commercial negotiation. His combined legal, executive and property experience informs a calm, pragmatic and commercially focused approach to both his legal instructions as Counsel and mediations.

Called 1997; Matrix Chambers, 2000–present; former FA Registered Intermediary; former consultant to Team Sports Management Ltd and First Artist; former member of the London 2012 Olympics Pro Bono Legal Advice and Representation Panel.

Discrimination Law Association; Employment Lawyers Association; Employment Law Bar Association; Bar Sports Law Group. Civil Mediation Council Associate Mediator.

Colfe’s School; King’s College London (LLB (Hons), LLM and Postgraduate Certificate in Sports Law); Bar Vocational Course; MBA alumnus, London Business School.

Football; rugby.