James Simpson is experienced in executive dismissals, restructurings and TUPE issues

The Legal 500, UK

A City-calibre employment lawyer

The Legal 500, UK

James is a highly adaptable Commercial lawyer who has developed an external “General Counsel” practice based on extensive client advisory experience. With over 20 years of expertise, he serves as the Head of our expanding Motorsports and Sports Law department, providing guidance to teams, drivers, suppliers, and manufacturers. His passion for sport, combined with his additional business advisory skills, enables him to deliver effective legal solutions tailored to the needs of the industry.

Business
With over 25 years’ experience James has considerable knowledge and experience in advising businesses on their commercial legal needs. His work covers general commercial agreements, corporate transaction support and general legal risk management.

Motorsport and Sport Law
A large part of his work relates to motorsports and sport in general. He advises race and football teams, drivers, suppliers, clubs, and circuits on a range of commercial legal matters including sponsorship, driver agreements, supplier terms and conditions, hospitality, GDPR and employment.

He actively guides the evolving Electrical Vehicle Market and provides valuable assistance to companies venturing into the expanding Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrency.

Employment
James is a recognised expert in employment, which is where his practice first started. He advises his clients on contentious employment and HR matters including dismissals, discrimination, settlement agreements, redundancy and employment tribunal and other litigation claims and disputes. He also covers a wide range of non-contentious work including the drafting of employment related agreements, incentive arrangements, consultancy agreements, policies & procedures together with the employment aspects of restructurings and transactions, including cross-border work.

The employment work overlaps with his work in the sports sector where he covers driver and player contracts, team contracts, team moves and general employment and use of consultants and contractors.

Data Protection
From an original practice of helping business manage and protect employee data, James qualified as a data protection officer and advises on a wide range of data protection matters including to act as an external DPO.

He helps businesses comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and e-privacy and including general data protection compliance, data flow analysis, data protection documentation (privacy notices, policies, and data sharing/transfer arrangements), subject access requests and data breach, including reporting to and liaison with the ICO.

In a sports context this includes data protection matters relating to fan engagement and marketing.

James is recognised as a leading practitioner by both Chambers & Partners UK and The Legal 500. He is also a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.