Peter is widely renowned as a pioneer of sports law in the UK, and over the past 30 years has represented some of the leading sporting organisations and bodies on a wide range of commercial and contentious matters. He was also the appointed solicitor for the UK bid for the 1996 Olympics.
With a family legacy in the football world as son of Sir Bert Millichip (former Chairman of the FA), Peter has represented many clubs, including West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, Leicester City and Leicester Tigers, numerous players, and charities in the sport close to his heart.
When situations escalate, Peter has experience of resolving disputes at the highest level, including appearing before the House of Lords and the European Parliament.
In addition to sporting clients, Peter also advises celebrities from the world of entertainment and music.
I have always found Peter’s expertise, knowledge and appreciation of the complexities and sensitivities of the sporting world to be outstanding. His infectious enthusiasm and personality are engaging and coupled with his breadth of legal knowledge and capacity to research and prepare add to the value of the work he does.
Mr Richard Callicott OBE
Peter has provided a wide range of legal services for my organisation over the years and our working relationship continues to flourish. I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone else working in this high-octane field.
Chris Cronin
Resonance Music UniversityInner City Champs see Peter as an extension of our company, always available to advise us regarding all legal and commercial issues as they arise. We We know that his advice will always be of the highest quality.
Kabir Ali
Chief Executive – Inner City Champs CICI have the highest regard for Peter’s advice. His experience and knowledge enable him to focus on solving the client’s problem rather than merely explaining the legal position. Peter always works to the highest ethical standards and his advice is invariably insightful and practical.
Michael Giles
Chairman of the M5 Sports Management GroupPeter’s expertise, experience and empathy has benefited me both personally and in business on numerous occasions. He is an expert in his field and has the ability to identify the issues and come up with a more than acceptable solution whenever required.
Roger Newman
Consultant – The Business of SportPeter’s career and reputation in the sports, media and entertainment sectors is widely known. He is a man of total honesty, integrity and professionalism. He is a “people” person and a solid team player who will not let you down.
Andrew Fisher KC
Citadel ChambersOn a sports and media basis as well as private matters, Peter has given sound advice and guided us when most needed.
Mark Robson
Sir Bobby Robson FoundationPeter has been a valued advisor in respect of my legal and media affairs. His strategic insights and attention to detail are consistently and reliably invaluable in protecting my overall interests, allowing me to concentrate on my musical career. Peter’s integrity, loyalty, and commitment to my well-being as friend and client have been unwavering.
Robert Fripp
Musician and songwriter
Expertise
- Sports regulatory matters
- Sports disciplinary issues
- Sponsorship deals
- Concession arrangements
- Licensing of media and other rights
- Transfer and player contracts
- Insolvency and restructuring
- Competition law
- Music production
- Events
- Corporate governance and policies
- Commercial agreements
Experience
Professional bodies represented
- The Football Association
- The Football League
- The British Athletics Federation
- MCC and the England and Wales Cricket Board
- Professional Cricket Association
- The French Rugby Federation
- The Lawn Tennis Association
- British Equestrian Federation
- Amateur Swimming Association
- Amateur Boxing Association
- 1996 Olympics
Regulatory & Investigations
- Successfully defended the British Athletic Federation in the House of Lords against an appeal by Diane Modahl against a lifetime ban for substance abuse.
- Advised on the drafting of the new rules for Academies and Centres of Excellence for the Premier League and the Football League.
- Drafting Articles and Regulations for The Football League.
Commercial Agreements
- Instructed on the negotiation of digital media rights for the English Cricket Board and MCC and for the Football League.
- Negotiated staging rights for the Football League at the Millennium Stadium and new Wembley.
- Club solicitor for West Bromwich Albion FC during which he also acted for numerous football players of note.
- Advised an American Hedge Fund to set up and run a new sports and media company with Sir Bobby Robson to engage 35 sports legends across 5 different sports to support a financial and data objective, and sponsoring the victorious Ashes series in 2005 and Martin Johnson’s testimonial at Twickenham.
- Advised Aggregate Industries on the sponsorship of Oxford University Rugby Football Club.
Competition Law
- Successfully appealed to the European Parliament by the Football League against UEFA’s decision to exclude the winners of the Football League Cup from European competition, on grounds of an abuse of a dominant position under competition laws.
Restructuring & Insolvency
- Advised on the insolvency of football clubs including Crystal Palace FC, Portsmouth FC, Hull City FC, Swindon Town FC.
Charities
- Organised and promoted dinners and events in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the Breast Cancer Unit of the Worcester Royal Hospital.
- Co-hosted the Sir Bobby Robson Golf Classic in Vila Sol Portugal in aid of the Refugio Orphanage in Faro.
- Co-hosted the Sporting Exhibition in Worcester in support of the Worcester Cathedral and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
- Sponsored the West Bromwich Albion Former Players Association for its charitable objects.
- Supported and advised the Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust in pursuit of its charitable objects to support young people from deprived backgrounds.
Music and Film
- Advised Robert Fripp in his claim for royalties against the PPL and PRS and the David Bowie Estate for his contributions to the titles “Heroes” and “Scary Monsters”.
- Advised Toyah Willcox on the production of her new albums and archive catalogues.
- Advised Chesney Hawkes on the production of his new albums and on the rights for his new West End theatre production.
- Negotiated and completed the purchase of new studios for DGM Live from Barclays Bank for use by Robert Fripp and King Crimson.
- Advised MovieBox Premiere on its purchase and finance for bespoke film studios in Loule Portugal for the production of major independent films.
- Produced musical theatre for Sabrina Productions including “Tales of the Woo” and “The Rhythm Club”.
Recognition
Recognised by The Legal 500 2024 for Sport
Freeman of the City of London
Trustee of Resonance Music University
Advisory Board member for MovieBox Premiere
Former member of the Oxford University Sports Development Committee
Co-founder of The Business of Sport Limited
Career
Peter qualified as a solicitor in 1976. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2022, he worked at the following firms:
- Coleridge Law
- Wiggin
- Hammond Suddards Edge
- Edge Ellison