Jim Sturman KC is joint Head of Chambers at 2 Bedford Row and is a specialist advocate in crime, business crime, fraud, global investigations and corporate advisory work including corruption, reputation management and data protection, health and safety and sports law. 

In the sports sector, Jim acts for clubs and individuals brought before regulatory and disciplinary tribunals across a range of sports.

Over the last 15 years Jim has been instructed in numerous cases involving bribery and corruption in a range of sports across the globe. Those cases include the IAAF investigation into doping offences committed by Russian Sports Federations, investigations into FIFA elections and television rights, match fixing in football, tennis and horse racing and the full gamut of doping offences across sports ranging from athletics to motor racing.

He acted for Millwall FC who were fined £10,000 by the FA and ordered to implement an action plan for a failure to prevent a number of fans from engaging in a discriminatory chant during an FA cup fixture against Everton In January 2019. For further information see The Guardian.

He has acted for Chelsea Football Club, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Watford FC, West Ham United, Newcastle United FC, Wigan, Millwall, Wimbledon AFC, Charlton Athletic, Brighton and Hove Albion, Norwich City, CSKA Moscow, The Ocean City Noreasters (US PDL league) and numerous individual players and management including: Joe Jordan, Andre Villas Boas, Jermain Defoe, Eden Hazard (re ballboygate) John Obi Mikel, Gary Cahil Yohan Cabaye, Joe Kinnear, Alan Pardew, Graeme le Saux, Jimmy Hasselbaink, Frank Lampard, Kieron Dyer, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Gus Poyet, Mauricio Taricco, Jose Mourinho, Asier Del Horno, Carlo Cuddicini, Michael Essien, Mido, Robbie Savage, Emre Belozoglu, Duncan Ferguson, Jens Lehmann, Peter Cech, Casper Ankergren, Robbie Keane, Michael Dawson, Jermaine Jenas, Mateja Kezman, Didier Zakora, Etienne Capoue, Andre Gray, Troy Deeney, Dele Alli and Eric Dier.

He also acted for the Football Association in relation to charges brought against Roy Keane (for his autobiography) and charges against various players and Arsenal FC, arising out of a match at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Arsenal. Acted for Marcel Desailly before UEFA Appeals Tribunal in Geneva, and before UEFA Disciplinary Commission on behalf of Chelsea FC, Jose Mourinho, Steve Clarke and Les Miles in relation to the Barcelona v Chelsea Champions League fixture in 2004. Also represented CSKA Moscow before UEFA opposing Parma’s protest against the result of the 2004/2005 UEFA Cup Semi-final. Has advised players and UEFA on doping cases. Jim Sturman appeared before the CAS on behalf of Wigan FC in a landmark case to determine the level of compensation to be awarded when a player terminates his contract with a club outside the ‘protected period’ (A.17 FIFA Regs). Represented Chelsea FC before FIFA appeals committee and has advised National Associations in relation to FIFA disputes. Has advised in FIFA DRC cases. Acted for Graeme le Saux in relation to an incident with Robbie Fowler, Chelsea Football Club and Dennis Wise in relation to an alleged incident in the tunnel after a Premiership game in 2000. For Chelsea FC on allegations of mass dissent and failure to control their players, and before the FA and UEFA in relation to charges of failure to control fans, Millwall FC for failing to control their players and AFC Wimbledon for a similar allegation, Has advised in doping cases in a range of different sports. He has acted for numerous clubs on charges of failing to control their fans. He has acted for the FA, in relation to charges against Roy Keane of Manchester United that were brought as a result of the publication of that player’s autobiography. Also instructed by the FA in relation to misconduct charges brought against Dennis Bergkamp and Graham Souness. Acted for Clubs and players in relation to charges of “racism”, including acting for a Chelsea groundsman in a case that became known as “Mowergate” after an incident between Chelsea groundstaff and Patrice Evra of Manchester United. He represented Dennis Wise in relation to his case against Leicester City Football Club before the F.D.C. (Football Disciplinary Commission) and then before the F.L.A.C. (Football League Appeals Committee). Has represented Premiership Football players in libel and false attribution actions against national newspapers. Frequently advises clubs in PFCC cases and acted for Dan Gosling in his action seeking a declaration that he was entitled to a “free transfer” in July 2010.

He has advised numerous clubs including: Chelsea, Tottenham Hostpur, West Ham United, Newcastle United, Wigan FC, Millwall, Brighton, AFC Wimbledon, Crawley Town FC, Charlton Athletic FC, Norwich City, Grays Athletic, Ocean City FC (USA) and CSKA Moscow. Has also advised national football associations in the UK, Europe, Asia and South America.

Jim appears before the FIA and other sporting disciplinary tribunals. Jim also sits as Chairman of RFU disciplinary panels.