Martin Budworth

Martin is a busy senior junior who has progressed to dealing with substantial pieces of litigation (often appearing alone against Queen's Counsel). Martin has been ranked consistently in the directories as a leading practitioner year on year since 2006. He served on the Attorney General's Panel of Counsel for five years. He carries a broad practice as detailed below. His established background in both commercial litigation and employment law makes him well suited to issues in the sports law field and he is nationally recognised for considerable experience in all aspects of sports law litigation and is ranked in Band 1 for the Regions by Chambers and Partners UK. He also sits as an arbitrator in sports disputes, appointed by Sport Resolutions. He has appeared in more than 30 reported / published cases.

"all that Mr Budworth has so ably submitted" Etherton MR in Clearway v Miles Smith [2016]EWCACiv1258

"I recognise the force of the contrary submissions put by Mr Budworth" Lewis J in ASE plc v Kendrick [2014]EWHC2171

Year of Call: 1999

One of the most active juniors in this field outside of London with unrivalled experience across many issues in varied sports. Martin is ranked in Band 1 for the Regions by Chambers and Partners UK. He also sits as an arbitrator in sports disputes, appointed by Sport Resolutions.
 

Significant reported cases

Football

Lugano v West Bromwich Albion FC -Representing the club at an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. Player“s attempt to strike down a unilateral option clause as unlawful. 

Triple S Sports v Brady -Acting for the well-known football agency (which acts for Wayne Rooney & ors) in a High Court claim against a former employee for diverting a large agency commission. 

Cardiff FC v Felicevich & ors -Representing South American football agent defending High Court conspiracy claim linked group actions brought by the club against various agents alongside former manager and club director. 

Jonas Gutierrez v Newcastle United FC - Successful representation of the Claimant in the high-profile claim that the club engineered a termination of his contract following and because of the player's cancer diagnosis

Mario Balotelli v Manchester City - Representing the player in the proceedings before the Premier League Board. Very high profile dispute. The PFA considered it a test case on the question of whether on-field disciplinary offences could amount to a breach of the playing contract with the club. 

Yaakov v West Bromwich Albion - FA Dispute Resolution Chamber case brought by agent against club for conspiring to cut him out of a transfer deal. 

McGill v Bolton FC, Phil Gartside, Sammy Lee, Frank McParland, Simon Marland, SEM Sports Management, Jerome Anderson, Dave Sheron and Jeff Weston - Mercantile Court action by football agent alleging conspiracy against then Premier League club and rival agent for cutting the agent out of a transfer deal. 

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 Kratindaengem - 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.

Rugby and other sports

Castleford RLFC v Sale Sharks, Denny Solomona & Andy Clarke -Represented all 3 Defendants in the high profile High Court claim surrounding the England player“s controversial switch from rugby league to rugby union. The BBC labelled the case „the Bosman of rugby“ and it was attracting woldwide media attention. Opposing Counsel Nick Randall QC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/38341209

Mason v Huddersfield Giants

Francis Cummins v Bradford Bulls

Tony Puletua v Salford Reds

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