39 Essex Chambers covers the full range of matters from the world of sports with members showing particular experience in the areas of safeguarding, anti-doping and other disciplinary proceedings as well as personal injury cases in the sports context. For example, Nina Goolamali KC continues to represent World Rugby in the ongoing concussion litigation. Katherine Apps KC, who took silk in 2023, was recently particularly active in relation to safeguarding matters, while Jonathan Bellamy was appointed vice chair of the English Football League’s club financial review panel and has been active in a variety of football matters, including breach of contract, player-agent disputes, club-club transfer disputes and image and data rights issues.
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Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
‘Nina is fastidiously thorough, and a fearsome negotiator – definitely someone you want in your corner, and not your opponent’s. She is always on top of her brief, and has the ear of the court as a result.’
2023 Silks
‘A real strength and knowledge in intricate sporting disputes, in particular safeguarding.’
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
'Jonathan is very commercial, on top of procedures in arbitration, and scrupulously fair.'
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
'Jonathan is very commercial, on top of procedures in arbitration, and scrupulously fair.'