Back to rankings
England - London • TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
3

Sport

Brabners LLP logo

Brabners LLP

More information
Brabners LLP maintains a strong reputation in the sports sector, acting for a wide-ranging client base that includes national governing bodies, professional clubs, and high-profile individuals. The firm is a trusted adviser to the likes of Aquatics GB, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the EFL, and several Premier League and EFL football clubs, as well as clubs across rugby union and rugby league. The practice offers a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary service, drawing upon specialist expertise across areas such as governance, safeguarding, employment, tax, litigation, IP, real estate, and reputation management. Recent instructions include acting for Plymouth Argyle FC and its charitable arm in relation to a £23m redevelopment of youth academy and community facilities. Practice head Lydia Edgar has established a strong reputation in the sports sector for advising clients with complex, high-value and high-profile employment-related issues. Colin Bell heads the intellectual property team, whilst Paul Lunt handles contentious matters. Bell and Lunt, alongside Jason Smith, form a key part of the firm’s sport offering.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The key strengths are the ability to understand the client's needs in their business context and produce practical and reassuring business solutions - often on complex matters. Speed and efficient of response and communications. Helping the client understand the issues, risks and complexities in law in a non-jargonistic way. Reassuring in all work strands backed by experienced and expert staff which we have full confidence in.’

  • ‘They execute as described above and keep on top of the workflow and changing complexities. Lydia Edgard and Catherine Forshaw are two stand-out operators in the business that work with us.'

  • ‘The team is keen to support and personalise advice according to the needs. This includes adjusting the advice accordingly depending on whether dealing with our in-house legal team or other non-legally minded staff members. The approach to advice is informal and unobtrusive whilst remaining professional.’

Key clients

  • Rezzil
  • Port Vale Football Club
  • Port Vale Football Club Foundation
  • Plymouth Argyle Football in the Community Trust
  • Hull FC Super League RFLC
  • England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
  • SportAccord
  • Liverpool Football Club
  • Leicester City Football Club
  • Commonwealth Games Federation
  • Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)
  • Gaimin.io Limited (Esports)

Work highlights

Advised several sports tech and esports businesses as well as Chester Racecourse Company and Basketball England in respect of their technology developments and innovation projects.
Instructed by Plymouth Argyle Football Club (Argyle) and Plymouth Argyle Football in the Community Trust (PACT) in connection with its £23m development of youth academy and community facilities in the city.
Advised several National Governing Bodies (“NGBs”), high profile clubs and participants in respect of sensitive safeguarding issues and case management.

Practice head

Lydia Edgar

Other key lawyers

Colin Bell; Paul Lunt; Jason Smith