Sports
Respected sports lawyer, Dan Chapman has put together his own specialist team of sports lawyers drawing expertise and talent from different teams at Leathes Prior, to provide a fully comprehensive service to an increasing number of national clients within the sports sector.
Dan and his team’s well earnt reputation as not only East Anglia’s leading sports law specialists, but also as a serious nationwide practice, is founded on their extensive experience dealing with sports matters. The team’s expertise encompasses a vast array of matters spanning dispute resolution, employment, regulatory, commercial and more within the sporting sector, and working with amateur and professional clubs, associations, regulatory bodies and individual sports professionals across the UK.
Many of our national clients praise Dan and his team for the intricate technical knowledge and down to earth practical advice, which has led to many successful (and high-profile) cases.
Dan has acted for and against numerous Premier League, Football League and non-league football clubs throughout the UK, and has 15 years’ experience of acting for football clubs, agents and players. He also has a significant client base in motorsport and has successfully acted in a number of contentious and non-contentious matters in Formula 1 and represented a range of professional racing drivers from the junior ranks through to Formula 1, including appearing as an advocate at the Motorsport UK National Court.
Dan is one of a small group of solicitors in the country who regularly and successfully provides representation before Sports Tribunals (such as the Motorsport UK National Court or at FA Arbitrations); his skill and experience in that regard is sought after. Find out more about how Dan can help here.
“At our LP Sports practice, our ethos is about leading people to be the very best they can be in their sport. We understand the pressures and urgency of the legal matters that the sporting client has to deal with and are invested in finding the best possible solutions in the quickest timeframe. I am often asked what makes a good sports lawyer – in my opinion a sports lawyer is usually a multi-disciplinarian (think of a decathlete) but has a solid history in one area of law (such as employment law in my case, though it could be commercial law or commercial litigation for example), works well under intense pressure and in high profile situations and who is as good in a court room / Tribunal as they are analysing documents and problem solving. At LP Sports we are confident we bring all of those qualities to the table, representing our client’s best interests fearlessly.”
Dan Chapman
Head of the Leathes Prior Employment & Sports Teams, Dan Chapman is well versed in handling a range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, with notable expertise in the crossover between employment and sports law. The LP Employment Team act for many clients in the sports sector in all areas of employment law, including preparing bespoke employment contracts and policies tailored to the unique needs in this arena; managing staff; advising on employment disputes, termination and recruitment; acting in employment tribunal litigation and immigration assistance.
With our comprehensive understanding of the sector, we swiftly navigate complex workplace matters to ensure, where possible, a swift, practical resolution is reached. Our experience in the sector means our solicitors give relevant, specialist, practical and up to the minute advice on situations in your business as they develop.
Leathes Prior advises a variety of clients in the sporting world such as professional athletes and racing teams. We understand that sporting disputes require unique considerations such as strict regulation, time-sensitive decisions and risk of reputational damage.
Our Team is able to assist with:
- Commercial contractual disputes
- Disputes involving racing teams and drivers
- Disputes regarding crash damage
- Intellectual property disputes
- Defamation claims
- Alleged breaches of rules
Our Corporate Team work closely with Dan Chapman, Partner in our Employment Team, on an array of sports matters. We have advised clients on licensing arrangements, asset sale agreements, sponsorship agreements, intellectual property registrations and management, and data protection compliance, amongst others matters.
Whether you are a player, owner, investor or stakeholder, sport is one of the most passionate professions, pastimes and experiences we all can have, and our team looks to bring that same passion to each matter we work on with you.
We work alongside our clients within the sports sector on all their property needs, including taking new leases, assigning leases following Partner retirements and appointments, granting underleases to complimentary occupiers, buying and selling property and financing premises.
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What our clients say
Thank you for all the help Dan!
Dan, thank you so much for your kind assistance, for your professional approach in this difficult matter.
Acting under the name Full Contact, Leathes Prior’s commercial, realistic Sports Team is exceptional value for money, representing clubs, agents, regulatory bodies and sportspersons. Employment expert Dan Chapman is recommended.
The sports practice at Leathes Prior extends beyond the firm’s regional presence and offers a national service through its Full Contact online portal. The team, led by head of employment Dan Chapman, is extremely busy in both football and motorsport matters. Chapman is an FA registered intermediary and plays a key role in the football agency division of the practice.
The team, led by Dan Chapman, is extremely busy in both football and motorsport matters.
The sports practice at Leathes Prior extends beyond the firm’s regional presence and offers a national service.
Thanks for all of your help. You’ve made the process so simple and straightforward - at least from our end!
One of the region’s most active sports practices, which centres on the employment expertise of the no-nonsense and helpful Dan Chapman.
The Sports Team are one of the few leading teams in East Anglia. Dan Chapman has a great understanding of the realities of a professional sports business and continually impresses with answers tailored to the specific needs of clients.
The partner-led practice at Leathes Prior centres on employment specialist Dan Chapman, who advised Seb Morris on motor racing matters including his 2014 deal to race with Fortec in Formula Renault 2.0 and 2015 deal with Status GP to race in GP3 and footballer Kieran Agard on his transfer to Bristol City being just one example of many football transfers handled by the team.
Thank you for all your continued hard work, and for being the total legend that you are!”.
Leathes Prior Full Contact Sports Team has a national following and is praised for its exceptional customer service; Dan Chapman is an amazing individual with outstanding knowledge.
You made it all easy to deal with and I especially appreciate just how quickly you sort things out. Thank you so much for all your hard work.
Thanks for the 24/7 help
Fantastic support from Dan Chapman on understanding contractual matters relating to the registration of a child at an EFL football academy. Dan is supporting, caring and most importantly well versed and experienced in matters relating to the academy system. I would not hesitate to recommend him should you need a better understanding of this area or are in need of an empathetic advocate with serious experience.
Dan couldn't have been more helpful in a query I had regarding FIFA regulations and registration. Prompt to reply and incredibly knowledgeable. Thanks Dan
Thank you for all your help on this especially during your week off. It is really appreciated.
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