Sportsman vs Agent Dispute

We represented a professional sportsman in a dispute with his Agent.

Our client had entered into a contract with his Agent which resulted in certain services being provided in return for payment as a percentage of income from his sporting activities.

The parties fell out over the level and quality of services provided and their value.

This was a very acrimonious dispute which challenged the reputations of both parties. Negotiations failed and the Agent issued court proceedings against the sports personality to recover what was allegedly fees due.

The proceedings were vigorously defended and we made an application to the Court for Security of Costs against the Agent’s company on the basis that his company had no assets against which our client could recover his costs of the action in the event that he was successful. The Court agreed and ordered the Agent to pay a lump sum into Court if the matter was to proceed.

The case went to a full Trial and all parties attended with witnesses. After the Agent had given evidence, his legal team revisited their case and came to our client with a significant compromise to avoid the rest of the case continuing. The balance of the case was never heard in Court and the parties reached a settlement agreement.

There are times when it is possible to either negotiate a settlement or mediate a dispute. This however requires both parties being willing to do so and sometimes for financial and reputational reasons, this does not happen. This was a dispute that could have settled before a full Trial. It however took one party giving evidence for the extent of the legal position and its difficulties to become clear and the party to seek to compromise its position.

Our client was able to move forward and focus upon more positive matters and continue his career with a management team he had confidence in.

If you have a dispute with an agent or the level of service provided as opposed to that originally specified in his/her contract with you.

Please contact our Dispute Resolution team on 01604 828282 / 01908 660966 or email info@franklins-sols.co.uk