Graham Smith

  • Year of Call 2009

Introduction

Graham is an experienced advocate who has a practice encompassing commercial and sports law as well as probate, wills and trusts, consumer credit and company law.

He is based just outside of London and regularly appears in courts throughout the country in all types of hearing from applications to High Court trials. Graham is also able to help with drafting of pleadings and contracts, applications, representation at mediation and negotiations. He is a formidable witness handler with an exceptional eye for detail.

Graham is a  barrister who is able to offer clear and constructive advice to help individuals and businesses to manage their legal issues in a cost-effective and expedient manner. He prides himself on having an approachable demeanour and taking a personalised approach to each case. 

As well as his work as a barrister, he has extensive experience in related areas. He was a non-executive director for NHS Bucks CCG for 8 years where he chaired a number of panels; including carrying out quasi-judicial functions whilst sitting on the Individual Funding Request Panel.

Commercial

Graham has a busy commercial and company law practice. 

Graham is able to provide clear and practical advice to on all aspects of commercial dispute resolution. He can help with all stages of litigation, including drafting and representation of businesses owners, directors and lay individuals. Graham is able to assist with company, partnership and shareholder disputes, debt recovery, contractual disputes, and professional negligence. 

He is routinely instructed to assist clients with obtaining and defending all manner of commercial injunctions and applications in courts and arbitrations throughout the country. 

Graham is able to be actively involved in negotiations and has extensive experience in drafting contracts.

Sports

Graham’s work within sports law encompasses both regulatory and commercial instructions. He advises clients across a range of sports including football, boxing, rugby, cricket, motorsports, athletics and horse racing. He has an in-depth knowledge of the legal, governance and regulatory frameworks within sport.

Graham can work to ensure that his clients achieve full commercial value in relation to both club and endorsement contracts. He is able to work with players, governing bodies and clubs when it comes to media rights, sponsorship and stadium rights. 

He can represent clients in front of all sporting arbitrations and tribunals and takes a proactive approach to dispute resolutions within all areas of sporting integrity. 

Graham can work alongside and for intermediaries and looks to provides clear and actionable advice. His vast experience in negotiation can be relied upon in all stages of contractual discussions. Graham drafts contracts whilst fully engaging with his clients to ensure optimal outcomes.

Wills, Trusts & Estates

Graham has developed a practice that can assist in disputes relating to breach of trust, rectification of wills, removal of executors and trustees, validity and construction of wills, proprietary estoppel and constructive trust claims. 

His practice encompasses both contentious and non-contentious probate matters and Graham regularly represents clients in mediations and negotiations. Graham works actively to try and resolve disputes outside of court.

Consumer Rights

Graham has vast experience dealing with consumer credit claims against banks and other lending institutions. He is well versed in the area of s.140A Consumer Credit Act and has a particular expertise in respect of mis-sold insurance policies, bridging loans and all other areas of consumer finance, including Plevin claims.

Testimonials

Greatly appreciated the advice I received and how conscious Graham was of protecting me and my business in all aspects. I found this extremely helpful and useful and appreciated that he'd not only done that but checked over new documents and links provided without hesitation. I again felt this was very useful. I would highly recommend his services. - K.M

Graham was amazing today. Very happy with him. I would recommend him very highly to everyone who will be in my position. Amazing and I wish you all the very best in your career. Thank you very much. - M.H

Wonderful performance yesterday. Really enjoyed Graham's closing submissions. Everything he said was spot on. I have no doubt my firm will instruct him again. - R.K