Martin Budworth
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Year of Call: 1999
Martin has considerable and wide experience in sports law and litigation which is recognised by the leading legal directories. Chambers UK ranks him in Band 1 for the Regions.
He has sat as a Chairman of the FA Appeal Board appointed by Sport Resolutions. His established background in both commercial litigation and employment law makes him well suited to issues in the sports law field. His experience of sports disciplinary issues has also led him to deal with professional disciplinary cases generally and some associated regulatory matters.
Examples of Sports work:
Football
Middlesbrough FC v Preston North End - £1.5m transfer fee claim
Charlie Adam v Blackpool FC - player/club contractual dispute
Blackpool FC v Leeds United & Simon Grayson - acting for Blackpool suing over alleged poaching of their manager / wrongful termination of contract
FA 'match-fixing' investigation - instructed by 3 players in defence of the charges of betting on League 2 matches in which they participated
£1 million permanent total disablement insurance claim for ex-Premiership player
Schulte v Middlesbrough FC - acting for German agent suing for outstanding agency fee
Bent v Plymouth FC - breach of contract claim
Blackburn Rovers FC v Huddersfield FC - acting for the Premiership club on a dispute over transfer agreement.
Great Harwood Town v Blackburn Rovers FC - defending Chancery Division proceedings on behalf of Blackburn
Curtis Woodhouse v Birmingham City Football Club [2004] (Before the Board of the Premier League)
Danny Granville v Manchester City Football Club plc [2003] (Football League Appeals Committee)
Sports Management Services v Bolton FC and Jay Jay Okocha (Mercantile Court) - acting for the player
TNS FC v Welsh FA - successful appeal for the club - refusal of promotion / restraint of trade
Boxing
Dennis Hobson v Team Magee [2012] AIIER (D) 145, [2012] EWCACiv116 - failed joint venture between boxing promoters
Billy Graham v Ricky Hatton - acting for the boxer defending £1.5m High Court proceedings brought by ex-trainer
Frank Warren v Ryan Rhodes - British Boxing Board of Control hearing and then appeal before the Stewards. Management agreement dispute.
Pat Magee v Kratindaen gym - Obtaining a High Court declaration as to the validity of a promotional agreement.
Pat Magee v Dennis Hobson - Trial in a dispute between 2 promoters over television money.
Other
McGann v Kelly - UFC manager / fighter dispute
LeicesterTigers RFC - advising the club in defence of threatened points deduction for alleged breach of salary cap rules
RFU v Wihongi - doping case.
Mark Foster v Amateur Swimming Federation of Great Britain (2004) (Sports Dispute Resolution Panel) - Olympics Selection Appeal
Jonny Wilkinson - advising the rugby player on an image rights dispute
Recommendations:
Chambers UK 2013:
Martin Budworth "maintains a broad commercial litigation practice, and has carved out a considerable niche in sports disputes. Instructing solicitors speak highly of the commercial approach of this experienced junior, who continues to receive notable instructions in sports cases."
Chambers UK 2012:
Martin Budworth is "a strong advocate with a thorough insight into sport."
Chambers UK 2011:
"Martin Budworth has developed a notable sports disputes practice, and has handled cases across a range of sports, including football, boxing and rugby."
Legal 500 2012:
"Continues to build on his reputation in sports litigation"
Legal 500 2011:
"Impressive"
Legal 500 2010:
"Martin Budworth's sports related practice continues to flourish"
Legal 500 2009:
"has built a strong following for sports-related disputes"
Legal 500 2008:
"is ahead of his call and taking more complex cases"
Legal 500 2007:
"is fulfilling early promise and 'very good value'"
Recommended in the Legal 500 2006
Memberships:
British Association for Sport and the Law
Sport Resolutions
Panels:
Junior Counsel to the Crown (Provincial Panel)
Career& Education:
University: Durham
Degree: LLB - Law
Year ofCall: 1999 (Inner Temple)
Joined Chambers: 2003
