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James Thorndyke

He/himLegal Director
James Thorndyke consistently provides sensible and practical guidance and is excellent in client management matters.
— Legal 500 2023
London
About

James Thorndyke practices in the area of sport, media and entertainment, intellectual property and general commercial disputes with a particular focus on regulatory and disciplinary issues within sport. With over 15 years of experience, his clients include event organisers, sport governing bodies, rights holders, athletes, well-known media personalities and artists.

James has particular focus and expertise in regulatory and disciplinary issues within sport as well as enforcing ticket terms and conditions to major sporting events and assisting clients with protecting and enforcing their brands. He has handled several high-profile matters, usually in the High Court, and his cases routinely involve urgent advice and action.

Over the years, James has worked on many notable disputes within sport, media and entertainment often involving cross border issues.

He is known for his personable nature and for providing clients with sound commercial advice and innovative solutions to their disputes.

Since 2020, James has been recognised as a ‘Leading Individual’ lawyer in Sport in England and Wales.

Areas of FocusIntellectual PropertyTechnologyMedia, Sport and Entertainment

EXPERIENCE

  • Advising the organisers of a major sporting event on (a) its decision to deny Russian and Belarusian athletes entry to its tournament; and (b) matters arising following its decision, including defending subsequent regulatory proceedings in New York.
  • Acting for the organisers of a major sporting event in relation to High Court proceedings it pursued against an athlete seeking the recovery of prize money paid by the event organiser to the athlete. Advising on and overseeing the subsequent registration of the High Court judgment in Russia for enforcement purposes.
  • Advising and acting for numerous rights holders in enforcing their ticket terms and conditions to major sporting events including obtaining interim and final injunctions.
  • Acting for the organisers of major sporting events in relation to contempt of court proceedings against defendants following breaches of prohibitory and/or mandatory High Court Injunctions, including before the Court of Appeal.
  • Advising and acting for a worldwide hotel and entertainment chain in a multi-jurisdictional trade mark dispute concerning the hospitality industry.
  • Advising and acting for a world-renowned music artist on the protection and enforcement of the artist’s intellectual property portfolio including trade mark and copyright matters.
  • Advising a world-renowned literary rights owner on copyright infringement arising following the publication of a high-profile novel in the United Kingdom.
Education
  • University of the West of England, Bristol, LPC 2001
  • University of Wales, Cardiff, LLB 2000

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • Recognised as a “Leading Individual” in Sport’s Law in the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 editions of the Legal 500.
  • “Ranked” lawyer for commercial litigation: mid-market, in the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 editions of the Legal 500.
  • Won “Best Professional Services In Sport” at the Sports Business Awards in 2022.
  • Ranked one of the ‘Best Lawyers’ in the United Kingdom for Sports Law in 2023 and 2024.

Publications and media

  • Having contributions from more than 50 of the leading experts in the field, James co-authored a chapter on ‘Ticketing Issues in Football’ in the "Football and the Law" published in 2022

Prior Experience

  • 2019 to 2024, Partner at a London based international law firm.
  • 2012 to 2019, Associate and Senior Associate at a London based international law firm.
  • 2001 to 2012, Training Contract and Associate at a National Law firm.

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Member of LawinSport
  • Member of the British Association of Sports Lawyers
  • Appeals panel member at Swim England

My latest insights

Publication
Abstract_Building_S_0235

In Court at the Olympics

12 September 2024 .21 minute read

Connect

Phone

+44 (0)20 7796 6536
(Work, London)
+44 (0) 7386 687 567
(Mobile, London )
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