Deborah Nicholson is an experienced lawyer and Head of Regulation at Markel Law. Her practice is focussed on sport, health and social care and education. She has represented players in disciplinary proceedings and has provided advice to sports clubs on a range of governance matters. Currently she is supporting sports organisations in relation to medical service delivery, athlete welfare and safeguarding. In 2019, Deborah finished a lengthy part time secondment with a NGB dealing with contentious matters and policy development. She is recognised in the Legal 500 as a sports law regulatory expert.

In relation to her safeguarding practice, she is regularly involved advising and representing organisations and individuals where concerns have been raised regarding their conduct. In a regulatory setting, she has prosecuted healthcare professionals where allegations have related to sexually motivated conduct concerning children and vulnerable adults. She has also defended healthcare organisations and individuals in the criminal courts for allegations of abuse/neglect. Deborah is a member of the Sports Resolutions’ National Safeguarding Panel and England Hockey’s Disrepute Panel.