Member

I of course declare my interest as a lawyer and, on a good day, an expensive lawyer. Speaking from 45 years of experience as a practising barrister, I would say to the EFL that expensive lawyers are not necessarily the most effective lawyers in a particular context; other counsel are available. It is also important to note that the issues in dispute in the present context are not legal issues. We are concerned with an assessment of the appropriate sum—based on the football factors set out by the noble Lord, Lord Birt, in his Amendment 72 —if the mediation phase, where lawyers are completely useless, does not produce a result. That result will depend less on legal expertise than on solid football experience: in particular, the needs of the non-Premier League clubs. This is a context where expensive strikers will be less effective on such a muddy pitch than experienced defenders.