1EC Barristers Newsletter March 2026

Welcome to the 1EC Barristers Newsletter, March 2026 Edition.

Just a short one this month.

One for the European football fans

As the football season approaches what is traditionally known as the ‘squeaky bum’ period of the season, Meg Cochrane has written an article on the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)’s to dismiss the appeal by Crystal Palace against UEFA’s decision to demote them from the 2025/26 Europa League to the Conference League, and to admit Lyon in their place (despite the clubs having linked ownership structures).

In her article, Meg reviews the reasons for CAS’ decision and the regulatory framework in which it was decided, before identifying two key questions for European professional football that arise from the decision.

Meg has built a strong sports law practice and was instructed on the takeover of Reading FC. But even she probably can’t help Spurs!

You can read her article on the Sports in Law website here.

Go Go Gohil!

Akash Gohil secured a successful outcome in the King’s Bench Division of the High Court before Ritchie J, resisting the Appellant’s protracted attempts to appeal a long-running commercial dispute and overturn orders declaring their appeals out of time.

The Court confirmed that an application to extend time under CPR r.52.15(1) falls to be determined in accordance with the principles set out in Hysaj v SSHD [2014] EWCA Civ 1633 and the Denton criteria.

The Judge adopted Akash’s submissions in full, holding that the appeal had not been validly constituted, and in any event that none of the Denton limbs were satisfied. The application was accordingly dismissed. Akash further persuaded the Court that it was just in the circumstances for the Respondent to recover its costs.

Akash is building a strong reputation in high-value commercial and insolvency disputes.

Reach out to the clerks to learn more about his practice.

Landlord & Tenant

The Renters’ Rights Act is set to bring one of the most significant reforms to residential landlord and tenant law in decades.

From 1 May 2026, the “no-fault” possession route will come to an end, fundamentally changing the way possession claims will be brought and defended. The shift from the familiar section 21 framework to a fully ground-based system will require landlords, agents and practitioners to rethink strategy, procedure, and risk from the outset of a tenancy.

Stenio de Araujo and Michael Cameron-Mowat delivered a well-received training session on these upcoming reforms together to the team at Lovetts Solicitors, discussing the structural changes the Act introduces and what they mean in practice for those advising landlords.

Many thanks to Lovetts Solicitors for hosting us and for the opportunity to contribute to the discussion around a reform that will reshape the possession landscape.

And finally…

Every lawyer has had the dreaded phone incident at some point in their career. You put it on silent mode, stuff it in your pocket, but somehow it still goes off in the middle of the hearing and it takes 13 different clicks and swipes before you manage to shut it up.

Thankfully, it happens to judges too, as seen in the Supreme Court recently, when, during an advocate’s submissions, Lord Briggs’ phone suddenly started blaring out the opening theme of ‘The Rest is History’ podcast.

Nowadays, judges are usually quite understanding about this sort of thing, but a reminder before your next hearing to check your phones!

Until next time…

1EC Barristers