Allan is an Associate solicitor specialising in protecting the reputations of corporate organisations in addition to the firm’s sports, media and entertainment clients, in matters relating to
defamation,
privacy, contractual disputes and transfers.
Allan also considerable experience in both
commercial litigation and
intellectual property disputes having previously advised in a substantial number cases including acting for a Middle Eastern airline in a significant cross-border dispute as well as a US commodities company in a claim by a UK supplier of manganese ore and a Cuban music publisher in respect of a dispute about ownership of a disputed music catalogue.
Allan has also acted for a significant number of television, film and theatre personalities in pre- and
post-publication disputes against various publications in respect of both privacy and defamation claims. This has included preventing private or defamatory information being published by newspapers and in
post-publication claims against the media for the publication of an apology and damages. More recently Allan has dealt with claims of this nature on behalf of corporate clients with respect to publication or potential publication of confidential and defamatory information.
In sports, Allan has extensive experience acting for professional sportspeople, notably premiership footballers, He has acted for Newcastle United FC in their successful bid for compensation from the FA and FIFA following
Michael Owen’s injury in the 2006 World Cup and has been involved in several potential bids by clients looking to purchase an English football club.
Allan’s knowledge of and experience with the constantly changing rules and regulations governing football, including those of FIFA, the FA, the Premier League and the Football League is unparalleled. He has advised numerous clients, including clubs, players and agents, on the content and effect of the rules to assist with compliance and, in the unfortunate event of a breach, with minimising any negative consequences.
On behalf of a group of international football agents, Allan was involved in discussions with the FA in relation to the new Agents’ Regulations which came into force on 1 September 2007 and since then he has advised extensively in relation to the new regulations, including the recent amendments in July 2009.
Allan has been at the forefront of the developments regarding third party ownership in football having recently acted on several significant matters including guidance to clients on the new FA Third Party Ownership Regulations.