Regulatory & Public Law
Sports Law Solicitors
Allegations involving sporting bodies — from a disciplinary charge to conduct that also carries potential criminal liability — need advice that understands both processes.
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Arrested, or at the police station now?
Call nowFacing a sporting disciplinary charge or a related criminal allegation? The two processes don't run on the same rules.
Sporting bodies and governing organisations run their own internal disciplinary procedures — covering conduct, anti-doping, and regulatory breaches — which exist alongside, not instead of, the ordinary criminal law where the same conduct could also amount to a criminal offence.
The two processes can move at very different speeds, use different standards of proof, and reach different conclusions on the same underlying facts — a disciplinary panel's finding doesn't determine a criminal outcome, and vice versa.
For players, coaches, agents and clubs, discretion matters as much as the legal argument itself: these cases often attract media attention, and how a case is managed publicly can matter as much as the outcome of the process itself.
How DN Law can help
We advise on how a sporting disciplinary process and any parallel criminal investigation interact, and represent you in either, with particular care taken over discretion given the media attention these cases can attract.
- Advice on sporting body disciplinary procedures
- Advice on how disciplinary and criminal proceedings interact
- Representation at interview
- Discreet handling of media attention
- Representation in criminal proceedings where they arise

Afzal Anwar
Barrister, DN Law Limited
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How we work
One team, from arrest to appeal
From the moment you're arrested through to any appeal, DN Law Limited gives you one team and one point of contact — no handover between stages, no separate set of clerks.
3.8 from 10 reviews on GooglePolice station
Legal advice from the moment you're arrested or asked to attend a voluntary interview.
Investigation & charge
We review the evidence early, challenging weak cases before they reach court.
Magistrates' & Crown Court
Representation at every hearing, with counsel instructed directly where the case demands it.
Court of Appeal
The same team continues through to appeal — no handover, no separate set of clerks.
How we can help
How our criminal defence team can help you
Every case starts with a clear, honest conversation about where you stand. From there, DN Law Limited and instructed counsel work as one team, including:
Honest advice, from your first call
We'll tell you plainly where you stand and what happens next, from the first phone call through to the police station interview itself — no legal jargon, no false promises.
One team, no handover
Counsel is instructed directly by DN Law Limited, so the same team stays with you from the police station through to the Crown Court and any appeal — not a different barrister at every stage.
Led by a specialist in serious crime
Barrister Afzal Anwar, door tenant at 33 Bedford Row, leads on the firm's most serious cases — including drug conspiracies, serious fraud and Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation.
Experience across the most serious cases
From large-scale drug conspiracies and serious fraud to allegations of murder, manslaughter and serious sexual offences, Afzal has represented clients in some of the most serious cases that come before the Crown Court.
Fighting confiscation under the Proceeds of Crime Act
A conviction isn't always the end of a case — Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation proceedings can follow. We act to challenge the benefit figure and protect what's rightfully yours.
Straightforward help with motoring offences
Facing a driving ban or losing your licence can upend daily life. We represent clients charged with summary-only motoring offences, from the first hearing through to sentencing.
Real reviews, from real clients
We don't hide behind hand-picked testimonials. Read genuine, verified reviews from people we've represented on our Google Business Profile — the good and the bad.
Regulated and accredited, so you know who you're dealing with
DN Law Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and holds The Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation — a standard clients and courts can check.
Local offices in Nelson and Manchester
With offices in Nelson and Manchester, we're on hand across East Lancashire and Greater Manchester — wherever your case is being heard.
Independent reviews
Customer testimonials
Read genuine reviews from clients we've represented on our Google Business Profile — currently rated 3.8 from 10 reviews, the good and the bad.
I can't thank Aamir Sial enough for the support he gave me throughout my case.
From the beginning, he was professional, knowledgeable, and always took the time to explain everything clearly.
Georgia was really helpful with my case — went out of her way to make sure I was happy with everything, really reassuring, and got me through difficult times.
So grateful, would recommend DN Law to anyone. Great service.
I had a fantastic experience with DN Law Ltd and would highly recommend their services.
A special thank you to Mr Tanzil, who was incredibly friendly, professional, and always willing to help.
At a glance
Real clients, real cases,
real results
10 Google reviews
Years at the Bar — Afzal Anwar
Harrow Crown Court · November 2023
R v Evans
Afzal represented Ron Evans, the UK's longest-serving prisoner (57 years), at a week-long trial — found not guilty on three counts, guilty on a fourth.
Read the case Not guiltyKingston Crown Court · November 2023
Importation of 206kg of cannabis
Afzal secured a unanimous not-guilty verdict for his client after a three-week trial concerning the importation of Class B drugs from the USA.
Read the caseFull barrister profile
33 Bedford RowCommon questions
Frequently asked questions
Answers to some of the questions we're asked most often. If you need advice on something specific, call us — we're happy to talk it through.
Yes. DN Law Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID 569124), and holds The Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation.
