Professional Discipline
Living in a world dominated increasingly by regulation and 'red tape' it is hardly surprising that Regulatory and Disciplinary issues have grown immensely in importance.
McCormicks has a national and international reputation in Regulatory and Disciplinary matters. Our work is allied to our expertise and reputation in Investigations, Crime and Fraud.
The team at McCormicks, led by Peter McCormick, advise a number of companies and individuals on these issues including The Premier League, Football Association and the Law Society/Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Peter McCormick is a member of the Legal Working Party of The Premier League. He chairs Disciplinary Appeals and Tribunals, Arbitrations and appears frequently as an advocate for the prosecution or defence in similar matters. He is a Chairman of the Sports Dispute Resolution Panel.
Experience
The team at McCormicks has extensive experience in this field, we have advised on a number of cases including:
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Professional disciplinary matters including, for example, disciplinary hearings before the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, on behalf of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and various sporting bodies
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Fraud, including major thefts and deceptions
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Investigations and prosecutions by Customs and Excise, Inland Revenue and the DTI
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Civil Tax Investigations and Tribunals
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Regulatory matters including Trading Standards Investigations and Prosecutions; Financial Services Authority matters; Health and Safety Executive and Environmental Investigations and Prosecutions
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Directors’ Responsibilities and disqualification matters
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Internal corporate fraud investigation.
We are founder members of the Specialist Fraud Association with solicitors holding the Higher Courts Qualification. We continue to retain appointment to the Specialist Fraud Panel appointed by the Legal Services Commission and receive a number of cases referred by other firms of solicitors who have found themselves unable to handle complex and difficult fraud cases.
"The profile of this well-regarded practice has changed over the last few years. Once known mainly for its work with Leeds United Football Club, McCormicks is now seen simply as a firm that handles football matters well. As well as advising the English Premier League, lawyers here specialise in commercial issues concerning Leagues and various clubs, including sponsorship and media rights. The group is also commended for its proficiency in disciplinary matters." Chambers UK
"At McCormicks, the group provides the full package, handling defamation, reputation management and all manner of litigation with aplomb. Its Lawyers are ‘aggressive when need be and have the ability to adopt the approach the clients want.’ It also offers political reputation management advice. Peter McCormick remains the firm’s primary contact." Chambers UK
"McCormicks is best known for its expertise in sports regulatory work, with the Premier League and Leeds United just two of its high-profile clients. It also works in the more traditional sectors, representing solicitors and accountants, among others. Clients say the firm is 'a very professional outfit with excellent credentials, contracts and knowledge.'" Chambers UK
"McCormicks is most frequently visible to the marketplace thanks to its work on disciplinary and regulatory concerns affecting the sporting world, especially football. The team acts for the board of the Premeir League and is adept at interpreting guidelines affecting the regulation of football club officials and directors. It also acts on issues involving or concerning the Football Regulatory Authority. Highlights include acting in the administration and subsequent penalties imposed on Portsmouth Football Club. The team is also instructed to handle regulatory hearings over the conduct of solicitors." Chambers UK
“Renowned for his sports and media expertise, Peter McCormick of McCormicks is ‘a great communicator and outstanding with client relationships.’” Chambers UK
“McCormicks’ Peter McCormick has an excellent reputation for contentious and non-contentious work across broadcasting, IP rights and sponsorship and for defamation complaints relating to print and broadcast media.” UK Legal 500
“The well-regarded Peter McCormick leads the team which handles both contentious and non-contentious work and acts for high-profile companies as well as individuals. The practice spans broadcasting, media, personal contracts, sponsorship, defamation and complaints relating to broadcasters and the press.” UK Legal 500
“McCormicks has established itself as one of the few English media firms outside London with a profile in the wider market.” Chambers UK
"McCormicks’ ‘excellent’ team has ‘unrivalled knowledge of football.’ The ‘very commercial’ Peter McCormick is highlighted for his ‘expertise’ and ‘sound advice.’” UK Legal 500
“This Harrogate-based team plays an integral part in the region’s sports sector. However it is the team’s work for the Premier League which marks it out as one of the country’s elite sports practices.” Chambers UK
“Peter McCormick is a prominent figure within sport, especially football. One client was highly impressed with his ‘very practical approach to commercial business – when I make big decisions, I run them past him. He’s so streetwise that while I know his expertise is in sports law, I feel confident asking him about anything!’” Chambers UK
“This Professional Discipline team impresses clients with ‘its cooperative work ethic. The lawyers make you feel important and they prioritise your work.’” Chambers UK.
“Clients dub Peter McCormick ‘an intellectually clever, commercially astute lawyer who is very good to have on your side in a time of crisis.’ He applies his great depth of experience and legal knowledge in a calm and efficient manner.” Chambers UK
“McCormicks’ Peter McCormick has an excellent reputation for contentious and non-contentious work across broadcasting, IP rights and sponsorship and for defamation complaints relating to print and broadcast media.” UK Legal 500
“Clients say the firm is ‘a very professional outfit with excellent credentials, contacts and knowledge.’"
"Peter McCormick is known for his experience in sports law and has a reputation as being a powerful advocate of his client’s case. Clients say he is a ‘very commercial, straight-talking lawyer who is incredibly driven with a clear determination to succeed.’” Chambers UK
“Clients say ‘They don’t just lay down the law. The advice we receive is pragmatic, common-sense and fits with the environment we are working within. Peter McCormick offers clients an authentic understanding of sports regulation and is applauded by sources for infusing his advice with commercial sense.’” Chambers UK
“According to one source this team ‘does what is said on the tin.’ Peter McCormick is ‘thoroughly competent and absolutely responsive.’” Chambers UK
“McCormicks is ‘a market leader in the field of sports law’. Peter McCormick is an ‘able advocate and a fearsome opponent’, and his ‘vast experience has allowed him to gain the ear of The Premier League’. He recently acted in arbitration proceedings relating to the FA’s Rule K, brought by Leyton Orient concerning the decision to approve West Ham United’s move to the Olympic Stadium.” Legal 500
“McCormicks’ highly respected name partner Peter McCormick continues to advise the Premier League on football regulatory, brand reputation, commercial and IP matters. Other prominent clients are Leeds United FC and Yorkshire County Cricket Club.” - Legal 500
“From the moment we first had contact with Peter Minnikin, he filled both my wife and I with confidence. He was realistic in his advice, robust and utterly professional and for the first time we felt we had someone who understood the situation and was firmly on our side. All in all, he has provided us with exceptional service and helped us through the most difficult of times, giving us the confidence not to give up but fight on...We cannot recommend his services highly enough” – Regulatory and Disciplinary client
“Peter McCormick leads the practice at McCormicks, which is well known for its work in the football world. The team also represents legal, accountancy, and pharmacy professionals in proceedings brought by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales, and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. McCormick holds a number of appointments, including as chairman of the legal advisory group to the Premier League and as a Director of the Football Association. Last year he continued to advise the Premier League in relation to proposals to revise the disciplinary aspects of FIFA’s Agents Regulations. Peter Minnikin was promoted to partner in 2016.” - Legal 500
“McCormicks is particularly well known for its disciplinary and regulatory work in the football world. The practice also regularly assists with SRA investigations and SDT defence work. Peter McCormick OBE is senior partner and Peter Minnikin acts in disciplinary matters involving medical practitioners, physiotherapists and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.” - Legal 500