Louis Weston is a highly regarded Commercial and Sports Law litigator.
He has a wealth of experience across commercial litigation with an emphasis on matters arising from sport, civil fraud, professional negligence, gambling and failed business ventures. He is regularly instructed to gain injunctive relief and freezing orders.
Louis mixes superb advocacy skills with ‘humour and charm’ and is complimented for his ‘strong intellect’ and being able to ‘quickly identify the key issues in any dispute’.
In Sports Law he has acted for many years in Sports Regulation, Governance, Disciplinary Cases, Safeguarding and Anti-Doping and is ranked as a leading junior in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. Louis acts and advises Sports Governing Bodies and Players in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia appearing before sporting tribunals domestically and internationally, courts and the CAS.
Louis is described as “he acts on high-profile cases. He is very academic and can see the big picture.”
Louis accepts instructions on a Direct Access basis in appropriate cases.
Louis has specialised in Commercial litigation for over 20 years.
He has a wealth of experience regularly receiving instructions to appear before all of the High Court Divisions; Commercial, Kings Bench and Court of Appeal as well as Mediation and Arbitration in commercial disputes arising from contractual disputes, failed business ventures or partnerships or fraud, professional negligence as well as in Sale of Goods and product liability disputes.
He acts in high value claims and claims demanding interim injunctions, and freezing orders for large corporations, SMEs and individuals.
He acts in cases of professional negligence against and for solicitors and surveyors.
He has a particular interest in cases touching and concerning sport and has acted for boxing promoters, racehorse owners and trainers, and motorsport enthusiasts, and in cases arising from gambling debts and failure to protect gamblers from the perils of gambling and comply with LCCP.
Recent cases include: Commercial Disputes, Failed Business Ventures, and Commercial Fraud.
Rose v Ladbrokes [2022]
Acting for Claimant in a claim for losses sustained by a compulsive gambler, one of 10 or more cases currently acting upon.
CWT Commodities v The Storage Equipment Centre Limited [2021]
Acting for the Claimant in claim for c£1m arising from collapse of racking system in a commercial warehouse, with claims for indemnities, damage to goods and loss of business.
Epoq Legal Ltd v DAS Legal Expenses Insurance Co Ltd [2022] EWHC 759 and 1577 (Comm)
Acting for the Defendant in the successful challenge to a claim for fees under a licensing agreement, case included complex factual argument and the successful resistance to a summary judgment/strike out application and some guidance on approach to costs and non party disclosure.
Tamiz v Offley [2022] EWHC 305 (QB)
Ongoing case in which a security for costs application was granted against a ‘nominal Claimant’ who was acting for an offshore trust.
A v B [2022]
Acting for company in obtaining a Freezing Order in claim arising from fraud on a company by one of its employees, involving faked identities.
J v Y [2022]
Acting for former sales agent who had been deprived of exclusive sales agreement.
B V G [2020]
Acting for a fishery adversely affected by exercise of compulsory powers under the Railway Regulation Act 1842 recovering compensation and order for specific performance.
Z v U [2021]
Acting for investors in an ongoing dispute over a joint venture to construct properties using foreign investments.
H v B [2021]
Acting in a dispute over the quality of seed potatoes supplied under a farming contract in arbitration.
V v G [2021]
Acting for Claimant in a claim against Insurer for insurance cover following avoidance of insurance cover in £1M Claim.
W v P [2020]
Acting for a milk supplier in a pricing dispute with a dairy purchaser.
C v X [2019]
Acting for a motorsport competitor in a dispute over the running and management of an international competition.
A v B [2017-2018]
Acting with Leading Counsel in a contractual performance and fraud claim dispute in arbitration under UNCITRAL in London in a case with a quantum of c$US15m.
R v N [2018]
Acting for a crane supplier company in a three-party dispute after damage to a hospital’s scanning machine in transit by a sub-contracted haulier, interesting issues under standard terms in RHA and Crane Hire Contract.
S v G [2018]
Acting in the Commercial Court in a dispute between a specialist offshore diving company in respect of pipe laying for windfarms.
G v H [2018]
Acting in the Commercial Court in a dispute between a specialist offshore diving company in respect of pipe laying for windfarms.
UKCP v BH [2017]
Acting for a health care regulator in a dispute arising from the regulators conduct of disciplinary proceedings against a member, resisting strike out/summary application leading.
E v R [2017]
Acting for a freight forwarded and customs agent in a claim against former employee from breach of employees obligations.
Tanir v Tanir [2016] 4 WLR 8
Acting for Defendant in setting aside default judgment where service could not be proved on the Court file.
Louis has specialised in Sports Law for over 15 years. He has appeared in many of the leading cases in the UK involving corruption in sport and has acted for and advised national and international sports regulatory bodies in the UK, Ireland, the Middle East and Asia across a range of sports including Horseracing, Snooker, Badminton, Rugby, Darts, Cricket, Gymnastics, and Greyhound Racing.
Louis has represented governing bodies and athletes both before Disciplinary Tribunals in UK, Switzerland and the Far East, the CAS and the Courts (High Court and Court of Appeal). He also acts for Sports Governing Bodies and National and International Federations, athletes and their representatives in anti-doping, match fixing and corruption, safeguarding, selection disputes and in on-field disputes and appeals as well as in civil actions arising out of sport including commercial and injury disputes.
He advises Sports Governing Bodies and Federations in the UK and internationally on their governance and regulation of sport and sporting disputes and drafts and advises on the structure of rules and regulations and the structure and methods-of policing sports related corruption.
Louis is a member of the ICC’s Independent Oversight Group of the ICC’s anti-corruption unit, the FA’s Judicial Panel, British Gymnastics’ Independent Case Panel and Sports Resolutions and Sport Disputes Ireland’s arbitral panel and its pro-bono group. He is also a member of Law In Sport’s editorial board and writes and speaks on sports corruption, safeguarding and other topical issues.
He sits an arbitrator in Rule K Arbitrations and panellist for a range of sports.
A regular speaker and author on matters concerning sport, he is the co-author of Lissack and Horlick on Bribery and Corruption’s chapter on Bribery, Corruption and Sport.
Louis accepts direct access instructions in appropriate cases.
Louis has acted for the British Horseracing Authority and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board for many years and prosecuted many of the leading cases in the sport on corruption, anti-doping and misfeasance as well as acting in over 20 appeals from the Racecourse.
Internationally, Louis has also advised other federations and governing bodies.
Examples of recent or notorious cases include:
BHA v Luke McJannet et al
Acting for the BHA in the prosecution of a trainer for the passing of inside information for lay betting. Case concluded with a lengthy ban.
BHA v Danny Brock and Sean McBride
Acting for the BHA in the prosecution of a jockey for race fixing and then the subsequent appeal of the bettor for conspiracy to breach the Rules of Racing. Case concluded with ban of jockey and significant ban of the bettors (one of whom was also an assistant trainer).
IHRB v Ronan McNally and others
Acting for the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board in the prosecution and then resisting the appeal of a trainer, jockey and others involved in race fixing and other offences against the Rules of Racing leading to significant fine and longest ban in Irish racing.
Robbie Dunne 2022
Prosecution for the BHA of the jockey Robbie Dunne for his abusive behaviour towards Bryony Frost and resisting subsequent appeal.
Waggot & Walker 2022
Prosecution for the BHA of two racecourse employees for doping horses at Newcastle Racecourse leading to 10 years disqualifications.
Kieran Cotter 2022
Prosecution for the IHRB of a trainer for breaches of the anti-doping and trainers’ obligations leading to a fine of over €20,000.
Commonwealth Cup 2021
Acting for the BHA in resisting an appeal from the Group 1 Race at Ascot.
Paul D’Arcy/Nampara 2020
Prosecution of the trainer under the BHA’s anti-doping rules for strict liability offence.
Robert Downey 2020
Advising and representing the BHA in opposing a Jockey’s application for non-reciprocation of a sanction imposed by France Galop for an anti-doping violation.
Ismail Mohammed/Amazour 2019
Prosecution of the trainer under the BHA’s anti-doping rules for strict liability offence.
Aubrey McMahon/Batico 2019
Successful prosecution for the IHRB of a non-trier under the new and revised rules.
Denis Quinn/Murdovana 2019
Prosecution of the trainer under the BHA’s anti-doping rules for strict liability offence.
Blaze of Enchantment 2017
Successful prosecution for BHA of a Jockey and two bettors in respect of a stopping ride and associated betting.
Luke Comer 2017
Successful prosecution of a Trainer for failing to exercise adequate supervision and obstructing Turf Club investigation.
Jim Best 2016
Successfully prosecuting for BHA the Trainer Jim Best for giving instructions to stop two horses, the case has received substantial coverage and attention.
McKeown v BHA [2010] EWHC 508 (Admin)
Appearing for the BHA in disciplinary proceedings and in the High Court for race fixing greyhounds.
Louis has advised and acted for the BWF in cases of match fixing and internal corruption for many years, appearing before the CAS and the BWF’s own tribunals.
Examples of recent or notorious cases include:
Lin Hui, Yu Chen, Ji Ting and Tan Qiang 2022
Prosecution of Chinese players for failing to make best efforts in a match, established by expert evidence and performance analaysis.
Zhu Hao and Bin Rong 2021
Prosecution of match fixing in international tournaments.
Ze Lim 2020
Prosecution for illicit betting and wagering in international tournaments.
Tandjaya and 8 others 2020
Prosecution of a massive network of match fixers who operated internationally.
Zulfadli Zulkiffli and Tan Chung Seang 2019
Before the CAS, acting for BWF in its successful opposition to appeals against findings and sanction before the CAS sitting in Kuala Lumpur. The CAS decision CAS 2018/A/5846 & 2018/A/5847 addresses jurisdiction of the CAS under an arbitration agreement, issues of admissibility and rights in interview, consent to mobile phone investigation, specificity of charges and dismissed the appeals against findings, then went on to uphold sanctions of suspensions of 20 years and 15 years respectively against the extensive match fixing established.
Joachim Persson 2019
Successfully prosecuting the Danish former top 10 player for failing to provide information to an investigation and failing to report corruption. Player suspended for 18 months.
Raj Gaya 2018
Acting for the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in its prosecution of Raj Gaya BWF Council Member, Secretary General of the Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA) and President of the Mauritius Badminton Association (MBA) for his use of funds intended for sporting purposes, paid into his own bank account over a period of many years. Gaya was banned for life and fined $50,000.
Zulfadli Zulkiffli and Tan Chung Seang 2018
Prosecuting two players for match fixing and point fixing. Following a hearing in February in Singapore, the two players, who contested the charges were found in breach and suspended for 20 years and 15 years respectively as well as fined. The case was the first corruption case brought by the BWF and is a vindication of its robust stand to corruption.
Louis has acted for the FFR for its players and for the RFU in relation to disciplinary cases and betting irregularities.
Examples of recent or notorious cases include:
Paul Willemse 2021
Representing the French Lock in successfully challenging a citing for gouging.
Bernard Le Roux 2021
Representing the French Lock in succesfuly challenging an citing for violent conduct.
Mohamed Haouas 2020
Representing the French international prop in respect of disciplinary proceedings arising from his red card in the Scotland v France Six nations, in respect of which he received a 3 week suspension.
Sébastien Vahaamahina 2019
Representing the French international second-row, for the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR), who was red-carded for a strike to the face of the Welsh flanker in the quarter final of the Rugby World Cup 2019 sent-off and whose absence from the game probably caused the French team to be knocked out. The Player was subject to a sanction decision by World Rugby during the World Cup and received a sanction of a 6 week suspension, notwithstanding the very hostile response to his sending off and the publicity surrounding it.
Paul Gabrillagues 2019
Representing the French international for the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) on a citing for dangerous play during warm up matches for the World Cup 2019 both at first instance and on appeal. First instance decision of a six match suspension successfully appealed, leading to a three week suspension with the important consequence that the player was then open for selection in the World Cup.
Bryce Heem 2019
Acting for the RFU in successfully resisting the appeal of Bryce Heem against the imposition of a sanction for a “tip-tackle” and ending with the upholding on other grounds of the first instance disciplinary decision.
Sacha Zegueur 2019
Represented the French rugby man and the FFR following the player’s red card during the 6 Nations’ Under 20s opening match.
Kevin Gourdon 2018
Represented the French flanker Kevin Gourdon in his successful defence to a citing for dangerous play following the match France v NZ (11.11.17).
Pierre-Henri Azagoh and Hassane Kolingar 2018
Acting for the French under-20 Internationals following red cards and review of sanction for allegation of dangerous play in the match France v England (9.3.18) before the 6 Nations Disciplinary Committee.
Matthew Hart 2018
Acting for the RFU in the prosecution of a registered agent for breaching the unit betting code and non cooperation. Substantially the case involved challenge to a false ‘basis of plea’ and ended in a 22 months suspension.
Louis has acted for and advised the WPBSA over a number of years in relation to corruption and match fixing and other disciplinary issues in snooker.
Recent cases include:
WPBSA v Liang Wenbo and others 2023
Prosecution of the largest snooker corruption case in its history for World Snooker. Case concerned allegations of match fixing and manipulation by 10 snooker players, and allegations of bullying and attempts to prevent investigation of offences by destruction of evidence and coercion. All 10 players were found in breach and received bans including life bans.
Peter Lines 2021
Successful prosecution of player for ill judged behaviour towards a fellow professional.
Jamie Jones Appeal 2019
Successfully resisting appeal against sanction by Jamie Jones following his being found in breach in 2018 and sanctioned in 2019.
David John and Jamie Jones 2019
Prosecutions of David John for match fixing and Jamie Jones for failing to report corruption. Suspended for 5 years 7 months and 12 months respectively.
Yu Delu and Cao Yupeng 2018
Prosecutions of the two snooker players for match fixing. Suspended for 10 years and 9 months and 6 years.
Bingham 2017
Prosecution of former world champion for illicit betting.
John Sutton 2015
Prosecution of a snooker player for match fixing.
Stephen Lee 2014
Resisting an appeal brought on the grounds of bias, non-disclosure and insufficient evidence. The Appeal was dismissed.
Stephen Lee 2013
Prosecution of the leading snooker player for allegations of match fixing (including score fixing) at, amongst other events, the World Championships in 2009. The case concluded in September 2013 with Lee being found in breach of the Rules, banned for 12 years and ordered to pay £40,000 in costs.
Louis has acted for and advised the GBGB over a number of years in relation to corruption and match fixing and other disciplinary issues in Greyhound Racing.
Whelan et al 2019
Successful prosecution of a 6 licensed persons for doping violations in relation to Greyhounds, indefinite warnings off and fines for 5 of the accused and one reprimanded.
Tanner 2018
Successful prosecution of a sales agent for failing to take proper care of Greyhounds in his charge, indefinite warning off.
Wileman 2017
The prosecution of an owner who chained himself to a fence at a Greyhound meeting leading to indefinite warning off.
Calvert 2015
The prosecution of a Trainer for breach of the anti-doping rules and allegations of betting.
Mosdall 2015
The prosecution of a Trainer for race fixing and doping following the BBC Panorama expose of his improper conduct.
Tungatt 2015
The prosecution of a Trainer for breach of the anti-doping rules.
Boothby and Henlow Stadium 2015
Resisting the appeal of a stadium and its officer following the death of a Greyhound.
Berwick 2015
Prosecution of a Trainer for breach of the anti-doping rules.
Mullins 2014
Acting for the GBGB in its successful prosecution of a trainer who had in his charge a Greyhound which had tested positive for a banned substance.
Cronin v Greyhound Board of Great Britain [2013] EWCA Civ 668
A wide-ranging dispute over the enforcement of the decision of the GBGB’s Disciplinary decision against a trainer and establishing the arguable need for a sports regulator to provide reasons for its decision, and that the fairness of a sports regulator’s disciplinary process was to be viewed by reference to its first tier and appeal procedures. Arose from Disciplinary Proceedings over welfare issues in 2010.
Louis has acted for the DRA in the prosecution of match fixing and misfeasance in the world of Darts.
McKinstrry 2020
Prosecution of a professional darts player for match fixing during the lockdown tournaments.
Gerwyn Price 2019
Acting for the Darts Regulatory Authority (DRA) in successfully resisting an appeal against findings of breach by the leading darts player Gerwyn Price and resisting his appeal against sanctions.
Louis has acted and advised athletes in cases of anti-doping violations and safeguarding concerns, and in respect of challenges to the decisions of Federations. Sports have included Motorsport, Table Tennis, Athletics, Pentathlon, Cricket and Pigeon Racing.
Notable Cases Before the Courts and the CAS:
GEF v Irina Viner Usmanova and Artistic Gymnastics Federation of Russia
Acting for the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation in a claim in Swiss Arbitral proceedings and then on appeal in relation to claims that Ms Viner abused a coach at Tokyo 2020 and caused her loss of employment, amounting to bullying and harassment. The parties were found liable and on appeal (by GEF) the Federation was found liable for the acts of Ms Viner an important finding of vicarious responsibility.
MPADK v UIPM
Acting for Danish Modern Pentathlon in a challenge to the decision of the world governing body for pentathlon (UIPM) to drop equestrian sport from the Los Angeles Olympics. Complicated case before the CAS, alleging misconduct by the governing body and misfeasance in its decision making structures. Case rejected but some prospect of helpful commentary in reasoned decision expected.
Zulfadli bin Zulkiffli & Tan Cheun Seang v Badminton World Federation CAS2018/A/5846 & 847
Resisting a very wide ranging appeal by two badminton players against their being found to have fixed and manipulated matches and sanctions to suspensions of 20 and 15 years. The CAS decision addresses the scope and jurisdiction of a CAS tribunal, admissibility of evidence from interviews and phone analysis and approves substantial sanctions for match fixing.
Cronin v Greyhound Board of Great Britain [2013] EWCA Civ 668
A wide-ranging dispute over the enforcement of the decision of the GBGB’s Disciplinary decision against a trainer and establishing the arguable need for a sports regulator to provide reasons for its decision, and that the fairness of a sports regulator’s disciplinary process was to be viewed by reference to its first tier and appeal procedures.
McKeown v BHA [2010] EWHC 508 (admin).
Acting for the BHA with Mark Warby, QC (as he then was) resisting a challenge to the disciplinary process and decision of the BHA’s Disciplinary Panel and Appeal Board. The case establishes that a professional sporting tribunal is entitled to reach a decision without expert evidence before it and dismissed the many other complaints made of the BHA’s processes.
Louis acts for and against professionals in negligence actions, he has acted and advised in cases against solicitors, surveyors, doctors and veterinarians.
X v Y [2021]
Acting for Defendant Solicitors in successful summary judgment of allegations of negligence in conveyancing relating to Japanese Knot Weed.
X v Y [2020]
Acting for Claimants in a claim for negligent overvaluation of a property.
B v V [2020]
Acting for Claimant in claim for solicitor’s negligence in failure to properly advise in relation to the settlement of a personal injury claim.
British Gas Trading v Oak Cash and Carry [2016] 1 WLR 4530
Acting for the Defendant in Court of Appeal; appeal against refusal of relief from sanctions following Mitchell and Denton.
2016 L v S
Acting for a claimant in a mediated settlement of a claim for loss of high value jewellery kept in a safety deposit box.
Louis is currently instructed and acting in a series of claims against bookmakers and online betting platforms for breach of licence obligations under the Gambling Act 2005 for numerous bettors who claim that the betting companies have failed to abide by their obligations under the conditions of licence or otherwise breached the betting contracts or acted unlawfully. Louis has previously advised and acted in cases alleging unlawful gambling, breach of licence conditions and offences under the Act.
V v G [2022]
Acting for owner in a case involving misuse of a trainer’s line and claim in conversation for sale of racehorses.
Carl Frampton v Cyclone [2018]
Acting for Cyclone Promotions in the UK in respect of the dispute between Barry McGuigan and Carl Frampton.
N v B 2017
Acting for a racehorse trainer in a dispute over fees and their recovery.
Gharaibian Saki v Trant [2008] EWHC 492
Shareholder dispute as to ownership of a casino.
Louis acts for the RCVS and has acted for the GMC, the HAC and other medical regulators, as well as defending before the RCVS and NMC.
Notable Professional Regulations cases:
RCVS v PR [2022]
Acting for the RCVS in a case of alleged failure to provide adequate care to a small animal
RCVS v Dhami [2019]
Acting for RCVS in a case of alleged aggression by a vet against a dog.
ARCP [2018]
Acting for a surgeon in respect of a dispute as to his ARCP outcome.
Patricia Annon v NMC [2017] EWHC 1879, [2017] ACD 107
Successful appeal against a practice order which did not impose reasonable conditions.
RCVS v David Eccles 2017
Defending a veterinarian in respect of charges for misdiagnosis and treatment of a small animal.
RCVS v Joseph Holmes 2016
Defending a veterinarian in claims of unnecessary surgery and treatment in small animals.
RCVS v John Wilson 2013
Defending a veterinarian in claims of misfeasance in TB tests.
Louis Weston is regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. If you are not satisfied with the service provided, please click here.
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Recorder (Civil and Crime)
