Exchange Chambers is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Whitehurst to the National Serious Case Panel of The Football Association (FA)

July 29, 2025

This prestigious appointment recognises Ian’s extensive experience in adjudicating and advising on high-level disciplinary matters across professional sport, legal regulation, education, and policing. The National Serious Case Panel deals with the most serious matters arising in Grassroots Football, including assaults, intimidation of officials and players, disorderly conduct, and acts of victimisation during matches.

Ian is also a Disciplinary Commissioner for English Basketball and regularly chairs appeal panels for the British Basketball Federation. He sits on The FA’s Regional Disciplinary Panel and chairs disciplinary hearings for the Staffordshire FA, where he has recently been appointed Legal Director.

In addition to sitting on panels, Ian frequently acts as counsel in disciplinary proceedings on behalf of regulated professionals, including:

• Teachers
• Solicitors
• Police officers
• Professional athletes and coaches

Ian brings a uniquely cross-disciplinary perspective to matters of professional conduct, safeguarding, and regulation, underpinned by a parallel practice in serious and financial crime, asset recovery, and international arbitration.

For instructions in professional discipline, sports regulation, or complex misconduct cases, please contact Neil Wright at wright@exchangechambers.co.uk