Louis Doyle

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Year of Call: 1996

Louis has extensive experience in acting in connection with the financial collapse of football league clubs. Since 2001 he has acted for and advised the administrators of twelve clubs, including the administrators of Leeds United (twice). He has also represented creditors of clubs in a variety of matters in connection with company voluntary arrangements and liquidations of football clubs.

His experience extends not only to the legal process governing the football clubs' failed trading vehicle but also matters as diverse as the ownership and treatment of image rights, the treatment (or not) of the contractual rights of players as expenses of the insolvency process, security and priority rights in connection with the funding of the rescue trading vehicle (including third party claims) and the difficulties posed by subsisting disciplinary proceedings.

Louis also has experience of advising professionals on financial issues and wealth management issues, including claims brought against them. Louis has also been involved in litigation arising out agreements relating to the retail and marketing operation of a Premiership Football League Club.

In 2001 Louis represented Wrexham Football Club, acting by its administrators, before the Sporting Sanctions Appeal Tribunal in London when Wrexham became the first football club to challenge FA's decision to refuse a reduction of the otherwise mandatory deduction of ten points following the club being placed into administration.

In keeping with his profile as a chancery and commercial barrister Louis takes a practical and hands-on approach to problem solving bearing in mind what is reasonably achievable in terms of the merits of the client's legal case and the client's objectives at a practical level on the ground.

Recommendations:  

Louis has been ranked as a leading junior variously in insolvency, chancery and commercial litigation in both the Legal 500 and in Chambers UK guides to the legal profession since 1999.  

Chambers UK 2012:

"Louis Doyle is a dab hand at company and commercial litigation - in particular, cases with an insolvency backdrop. He is a noted (and published) authority on minority shareholder claims."

"Louis Doyle brings broad chancery and commercial expertise to his insolvency practice. He recently acted for the administrator of the Relax Finance Group in claims against its directors."

Legal 500 2011:

Louis Doyle provides "practical, no-nonsense commerical advice"

Chambers UK 2011:

Louis Doyle "is a fantastic advocate, especially for shareholder and directors disputes."

Louis Doyle is "very academic" and highly respected for his insolvency expertise. His "knowledge of the law is second to none" and he is praised for his commercial outlook.

Chambers UK 2010:

Top-ranking junior Louis Doyle boasts "extraordinary advocacy skills and great technical knowledge." He is well liked by clients as he combines "good commercial understanding with bags of enthusiasm."

Chambers UK 2009:

Louis Doyle "is thorough and precise and has quite a presence in court."

Leading junior Louis Doyle specialises in insolvency litigation and is considered "technically strong, with moments of sheer brilliance." His advocacy skills are applauded along with his "practical, hands-on approach and commercial perspective."

An energetic litigator who "is always willing to challenge established views," his knowledge of insolvency law is considered "second to none."

Market sources describe him as highly enthusiastic: he "gets stuck in and always delivers great results." 

Chambers UK 2008:

Louis Doyle has "a growing profile in the area" and is best known as an insolvency expert, although this part of his practice feeds into more "classic" company and chancery areas. 

Legal 500 2007:

Louis Doyle "is extraordinarily bright but clear and direct too"

Previous recommendations include:

"His intellectual capability makes him a match for any London barrister"

"Great on his feet, a good supply of experience and advice, a direct and straightforward approach, and clients love him"

"Taking on an increasing amount of cross-border work"

"Well read, well informed and very thorough in court"

"Widely regarded as sensible and client friendly with a winning combination of ability and common sense"

"The extremely busy ex-solicitor receives much positive peer comment"

"Great technical brain and a safe pair of hands"

 

Memberships:

Insolvency Lawyers Association (full member)
R3 (full member)
Chancery Bar Association
Northern Chancery Bar Association
Professional Negligence Bar Association
North Eastern and Northern Circuits


Panels:

Provincial Panel, Treasury Counsel (Civil Litigation) (primarily disqualification and Revenue work)
(Appointed 2000, re-appointed 2003, retired 2007)   

 

Career & Education:

Degree:	LLB (CNAA), LLM (Birmingham) Admitted as a solicitor in 1994 after teaching law for three years at Leeds Polytechnic and Bradford University
Year of Call:	1996 (Lincoln's Inn), initially a tenant at Zenith Chambers, Leeds
Joined Chambers:	1999