Serle Court

Chris specialises in both property litigation and the regulatory/disciplinary aspects of sports law.

Chris undertakes work in all aspects of property litigation encompassing real property, and both residential and commercial landlord and tenant work.

In the field of real property Chris has developed a particular specialism in the law relating to canals and water, which work often involves consideration of difficult issues relating to riparian rights and ancient title documentation as well as the understanding and application of aged private Acts of Parliament.  Chris has acted extensively for British Waterways and its statutory successor the Canal & River Trust, and also for other public authorities as well as for private individuals on canal and water based matters.

Chris also regularly advises and litigates on registration, option, easement and covenant issues. As a corollary of his work relating to waterways, Chris also has expertise in advising on Human Rights issues relating to property interests.

Chris also has a real interest in rights of light and will be an author of ‘Rights of Light: The Modern Law’ 4th Edition (Lexis Nexis) along with Andrew Francis and Tom Weekes KC. The 4th edition is to be published later in 2024.

In the field of landlord & tenant Chris has particular expertise in service charge disputes (especially in the context of representative actions for large numbers of tenants) as well as extensive experience of matters such as the 1954 Act,  dilapidations claims, options and the construction and enforcement of tenant covenants.

In sports law Chris has many years of experience in appearing before various tribunals, from domestic disciplinary hearings to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland as well as in High Court litigation.

Chris is particularly well respected for his work in relation to selection issues and Paralympic classification issues.

Chris has acted for numerous governing bodies in sports as diverse as football, swimming, diving, cricket, tennis, rugby and boxing and as well as prosecuting (or defending) regulatory and disciplinary matters. Chris has been appointed to chair numerous disciplinary panels.

Qualified 1991; silk 2010; various articles published in ‘Sports Law Administration and Practice’; chapter on selection disputes in ‘Sport: Law & Practice’ (3rd ed.).

Chancery Bar Association; Property Bar Association.

University of East Anglia (LLB).