Richard Booth KC

Sports Law

Richard is instructed in a wide variety of sports injury claims, including those of maximum severity, as well as in disciplinary and regulatory proceedings (including on behalf of the RFU). He has particular recent experience of claims relating to concussions and brain injury.

He has spoken at numerous conferences in relation to head injury claims in sport.

Richard has a particular expertise in athlete welfare, especially at the interface between sport and medicine.

In addition, he has experience of selection disputes (including for a Paralympic squad).

Selected Cases

Sports Injury Claims

• Q v Z [ongoing]: Richard represents a Premier League football club and its player in respect of a claim for damages brought by an opposing player following an allegedly negligent tackle on the field of play.
• G v N [ongoing]: Richard represents a Super League Rugby League club in respect of a substantial claim for damages brought by one of its former players, alleging negligent mismanagement of concussion injury.
• SH v X NHS Trust & Y RFC [2021-23]: represented NHS Trust in respect of claim relating to alleged negligent mismanagement in A&E of concussion injury suffered by young amateur rugby union player who went on to collapse on the pitch in a match, suffering very severe brain injury. Claim resolved following ADR.
• H v B & Others [2020-21]: represented Premiership rugby union Club doctor in respect of substantial claim for damages brought by Matt Hankin, former Premiership rugby union player, alleging negligent mismanagement of concussion injury sustained on pre-season “teambuilding” tour. Claim resolved at confidential mediation. (Reported on issues of costs only, in which proceedings Richard had no involvement – Hankin v Barrington & Others [2021] EWHC B1 (Costs)).
• W v J & Others [2017]: advised that successful application be made to strike out mismanagement of concussion claim brought by Cillian Willis, former Premiership rugby union player against Club doctor.
• T v X Rugby Club & Others [2016]: secured substantial settlement for rugby international in whom an arm fracture had been missed and who had played on with the fracture for 15 months.

Disciplinary/Regulatory Cases

• Six Nations Rugby Ltd v Dr Rayner [2022]: instructed by Angus Hetherington, Legal Counsel in Discipline at the Rugby Football Union, Richard represented Dr Nigel Rayner, England U20 Team Doctor, before the Six Nations Disciplinary Committee on 21st April 2022.
• RFU v James Taylor [2022]:  Richard was instructed by Angus Hetherington and David Barnes of the Rugby Football Union to present the case against James Taylor at a hearing on 30^th November before an RFU Disciplinary Panel. The case arose out of alleged verbal and physical abuse of a match referee aged under 16, raising safeguarding concerns. James Taylor was suspended from attending any rugby match in any capacity for 30 weeks
• RFU v Joe Marler [2022]: Richard was instructed by Angus Hetherington and David Barnes of the Rugby Football Union to present the case against Joe Marler of Harlequins and England at a hearing on 30^thDecember before an RFU Disciplinary Panel. The case arose out of comments made by Joe Marler to Jake Heenan of Bristol Bears during a Gallagher Premiership rugby union match on Tuesday 27^th Joe Marler was charged with conduct prejudicial to the interest of the Union and the Game.