Sports Law
Daniel has an extensive practice in Sports Law. He has acted in arbitrations and litigation involving current and former professional sports persons and governing bodies in a wide number of sports, including for and against high profile current and former professional footballers, cricketers and rugby union players. His professional negligence practice includes acting in disputes concerning sports agents and in respect of financial advisers to professional sportsmen. He has acted in a number of insurance disputes following career ending injuries, overarching insurance arrangements provided by governing bodies for players, disputes concerning liability and professional indemnity policies, and insurance disputes arising out of sporting events and cancellations. Daniel acts in a wide range of contractual disputes in relation to sports, including agency agreements, appearance agreements and image rights contracts. Daniel appreciates the particular features of the position of a professional sports person and the importance of a swift and discrete resolution to disputes.
Selected Cases
- RRT Holdings Establishment v Shafique [2012] EWHC 860 (Comm) – Daniel acted for the successful claimant in this dispute between two Formula 1 Agents in relation to driver fees.
Awards
News
- Members of Crown Office Chambers recognised as Market Leaders in Who’s Who Legal
- Daniel Shapiro KC and Hamish Fraser act for the successful Defendant in a Commercial Court trial
Articles
- W&I: an Obvious Buy for a Buyer, as affirmed by Finsbury Foods
- Defending W&I claims: strategic themes illustrated in Finsbury Foods v Axis & Ors
Events
- Daniel Shapiro KC to speak at the British Insurance Law Association Virtual Lecture
- Daniel Shapiro KC to discuss coverage issues in cyber insurance at Lloyd’s Market Association
Qualifications
- CPE / Diploma in Law (Distinction – Inner Temple Bursary 1997), City University (1997 – 1998)
- BA Hons, Merton College, University of Oxford (1994 – 1997)
- George Webb Medley Prize in Economics, Oxford University (1996)
- Merton College Exhibition (1995 & 1996)
Memberships
- COMBAR
- PNBA
- TECBAR
Rankings
- Daniel is recommended by Chambers & Partners as a leading silk for Professional Negligence, Insurance, and Property Damage.
- Daniel is recommended by Legal 500 as a leading silk for Professional Negligence and Insurance & Reinsurance.
- Daniel is a recommended silk in Who’s Who Legal, for both Professional Negligence and Insurance and Reinsurance.
- Winner: Insurance Junior of the Year, Chambers & Partners Bar Awards 2016.
- Shortlisted: Professional Negligence Junior of the Year, Chambers & Partners Bar Awards 2018 and 2012.
Recommendations
“Daniel is exceptionally intelligent, and is able to cut straight through to the key issues. He has the courage of his convictions but is also pragmatic and commercial when necessary. He is also a delight to work with, and good with clients and experts.”… “He’s a master tactician. He provides excellent analytic and commercial advice. He is formidable on his feet and a great cross-examiner.”
Legal 500, 2025
“”Daniel Shapiro is impressive across the board.”… “Daniel Shapiro’s legal knowledge and technical skills are excellent. We can always trust him to provide an educated, realistic and honest opinion on merits and strategy and deliver the message well to the client.”
Chambers & Partners, 2024
‘Danny is bright, exercises good judgement, is approachable, pragmatic and practical where necessary, knows his law and is very easy to deal with. He is liked by clients and his solicitors team and is a fearsome opponent.’
Legal 500, 2024
“Danny is a rising star in this area – he is bright, exercises good judgement, is approachable, pragmatic and practical where necessary, knows his law and is very easy to deal with. He is liked by clients and his solicitors team and is a fearsome opponent.”
Legal 500, 2024
“Daniel is very user-friendly, bright and commercially minded. He gains a detailed understanding of large volumes of documentation quickly. He is always practical and to the point.”
Chambers & Partners, 2022
“An extremely impressive all-rounder. Intellectually very strong, he writes thorough and detailed advice, but in a writing style that is nevertheless engaging and accessible. When advising in conference, his ability to set out complex legal arguments and strategy for clients is a particular strength and one that sets him apart from his contemporaries.”
Legal 500, 2022
“A very impressive and persuasive advocate who is completely dedicated to getting the right result for his clients. He is very proactive and user-friendly.” “He’s very popular, effective and produces learned opinions.”
Chambers & Partners, 2021
“Daniel has a very sharp intelligence. His drafting is thorough, and he is very robust in putting forward the best case/defence possible.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He is extremely knowledgeable and is not afraid to make a call and stand behind it.”
Legal 500, 2021
“He is working far beyond his call and seniority.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“Good on his feet, good with clients and able to turn things round efficiently.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
“He is really sharp-witted and excellent in conference; he’s great on the black letter law but has an excellent balance of strategic legal advice and commercial advice.”… “He is very down to earth and sensible in how he approaches cases, and is persistent in court, in a good way.”
Chambers & Partners, 2020
