Year of call: 2001
Rupert Beloff worked in sports media before being called to the bar and completing a commercial and planning pupillage.
Rupert has a broad commercial and public law practice with a particular expertise in all aspects of sports and media law. He has extensive experience of appearing in courts and tribunals in London and nationwide, including high value complex claims.
Rupert’s clients include regulatory bodies, sports clubs and agencies, sportsmen and women, national insurance companies, local authorities, FTSE listed companies, company directors, auctioneers and professionals.
He accepts instructions across a wide range of Chambers’ work in both an advisory and advocacy capacity.
Rupert is an experienced public law and commercial barrister who is regularly instructed to advise and represent local authorities and other public bodies. His practice covers:
Rupert is a contributing author to ‘Goudie, Supperstone and Walker: Judicial Review’ and a member of ALBA.
Rupert’s practice covers all areas of commercial litigation including sale of goods and supply of services, general contractual disputes, financial litigation, restitutionary claims, insurance fraud and consumer credit.
He has experience of substantial claims involving breach of contract, estoppel and personal guarantees covering both interim applications and trials.
Prior to joining chambers Rupert worked in sports media dealing specifically with broadcasting rights. He has a particular interest and experience of sports related commercial disputes.
Rupert has in addition represented auctioneers and dealers in claims relating to the sale of artwork and antiques.
Rupert has wide ranging expertise in copyright and IP matters including matters relating to musical compositions, sports, artwork and photography. He has also advised clients on IT related matters including click wrap and browse wrap agreements.
Examples of recent and current cases include:
Rupert has substantial and wide-ranging experience of sports litigation and advisory work including regulatory and disciplinary proceedings, anti-doping, anti-corruption, free movement and right to play cases and contractual and sponsorship disputes. He has represented and advised clubs, governing bodies, coaches and individual sports men and women in front of a wide range of tribunals and courts.
Rupert has also appeared for both Claimants and Defendants in ‘field of play’ injury cases.
He regularly lectures and gives seminars on sports law subjects and is a co-author of several leading books in the field.
He is a member of ARDL, BASL, the editorial panel of Law In Sport and the Sport Resolutions pro-bono panel.
Examples of his previous cases include:
– Christine Ohuruogu v British Olympic Association (November 2007) – appeal against lifetime ban on competing at the Olympic Games
– Bell v Governing Body of St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Grammar School (2013) ISLR SLR 28 – duty of care for a school in respect of the use of gum shields during hockey matches
– Bruce Baker v British Boxing Board of Control [2014] EWHC 2074 (QB) injunction to restore boxing manager’s licence based on competition and EU law arguments.
– Representing boxing promoters, boxers and licence holders in disciplinary proceedings in front of the British Boxing Board of Control.
– Representing a footballers, rugby players and swimmers in anti-doping proceedings.
– Advising a professional football referee in respect of an unfair dismissal claim against the FA.
– Advising a professional cricket coach in relation to constructive and unfair dismissal.
– Advising a leading speedway circuit in respect of safety rules imposed by the governing body.
Rupert read History at Christ Church, Oxford, before studying Law at the University of Buckingham. He achieved the top first class law degree in the university; won university prizes for tort, EC law, trusts, criminal law and contract; and obtained the Edgar Palamountain Award for Excellence and Aylesbury Vale DC prize for Public Law. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in EC Law from King’s College, London.
Rupert worked in sports media before training for the Bar and undertaking pupillage at No5 Chambers. He is a member of Gray’s Inn.
