Daniel Draper

Daniel is a Partner in Farleys’ Commercial Department and heads up the Sports Law team, based at the firm’s Manchester City Centre office.

Daniel specialises in commercial disputes dealing with breach of contract claims, property claims, partnership and shareholder disputes, insolvency and injunctions. With a particular interest in professional negligence litigation, Daniel is a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers’ Association.

Daniel has a growing arbitration practice and represents clients in sensitive, complex and high value contractual disagreements in all the main arbitral forums.

Representing clients in sporting disputes, Daniel is a member of the British Association for Sport and the Law and is regularly instructed by high profile athletes, international footballers, managers, and the Professional Footballers’ Association and its members.

As a leading sports lawyer, Daniel has extensive experience representing clients before FA Arbitrations, Football Disciplinary Commission Panels, Applications before the Premier League Board and has acted for a number of footballers in contract negotiations with English Premier League Clubs.

Daniel has acted for and against many high profile individuals and organisations including matters involving Arsenal, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Burnley, Everton, Hull City, Juventus, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Swansea City and West Bromich Albion.

Daniel has a thriving boxing practice and represents promotors, managers and boxers in the negotiation of contracts, claims and disciplinary actions before the British Boxing Board of Control.

Farleys’ Commercial Disputes Team and the Sports Law Team are both recommended in the Legal 500, the Clients’ Guide to the best law firms.

What People Say About Dan

“Daniel Draper has a deep knowledge and has gone above and beyond and provided advice outside of the case he has been working on. With Daniel I do not feel that I am just a part of the profit and loss account and more of a respected client. He has been easy to communicate with and clear in his actions. I have recommended Daniel to my accountant who has also commented that Daniel was very capable solicitor in settling his business dispute.” – Legal 500 Guide 2023

“Daniel Draper is the stand-out individual at the firm. Dan has an excellent grasp on the regularity regimes that apply sports disputes and marries that well with an astute commercial awareness.” – Legal 500 Guide 2022

“Dan Draper – very sector aware and able to tailor his manner and approach to different styles – including handling personalities well. Knows the regulatory regime backwards (including for example drugs testing). Very personable and low key style.” – Legal 500 Guide 2022

“Daniel Draper showed leadership and the rare quality of both being clever and wise. His engagement style was received well and he was a reliable compass through a storm.” – Legal 500 Guide 2021

Professional Memberships

Professional Negligence Lawyers’ Association, The Law Society

Accreditations