Nina Goolamali KC
‘Nina is always supremely well-prepared. She is able to forensically unpick even the trickiest of lay and expert witnesses. Nina always has the ear of the court.’
39 Essex Chambers offers a full-service, multidisciplinary sports law practice with expertise spanning commercial, regulatory, and governance matters, boasting a strong presence in sport-injury cases. Members act for a wide range of stakeholders across professional sports and are frequently instructed in complex, confidential domestic and international proceedings, particularly in football, rugby, motorsport, and athletics. Jonathan Bellamy continues to make an impression and sits on a range of football-related forums, working closely with the FA and EFL. In 2024, Bellamy chaired the FA Appeal Board in a disciplinary appeal brought by a Premier League coach Darren Fletcher against a decision of the FA Regulatory Commission. Neil Block KC continues to boast a robust sport-related injury practice, whilst Nina Goolamali KC has worked for Cardiff City FC regarding the transfer of Emiliano Sala, who died in an air accident while travelling from France to sign for the Bluebirds.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- '39 Essex is a very strong chambers, often in sporting disputes with a personal injury or public law element.'
- 'Very strong at public law and personal injury in the sporting space.'
- 'Undoubtedly amongst the market leaders with some outstanding barristers.'
- '39 Essex Chambers has very strong sports law and personal injury teams both in terms of numbers of barristers practising in both areas and in terms of experience at all levels of seniority, acting not just as Counsel but also as accredited mediators and arbitrators in these sectors.'
- 'Always very responsive and helpful.'
Lawyers
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Katherine Apps KC
‘Strong intellect and work ethic.’
Neil Block KC
‘Simply wonderful to work with. One of the leaders in his areas. '
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Jonathan Bellamy
He is always a master of the detail, has great insight and intellect and sees the strategic implications of decisions.'
Grace Cheng
‘Grace has a real specialism in sports disputes – having sat with her on a number of cases involving disciplinary issues, she is really excellent at distilling the facts and the regulatory framework.’