Wayne Barnes

Wayne is a barrister and one of the founding members of Fulcrum Chambers.

He heads up our Sports Law team and uses his unparalleled experience of supporting corporate clients whilst still being heavily involved at the top end of professional sport, to ensure that Fulcrum Sport offers innovative, bespoke, and specialist advice for National Governing Bodies, sporting institutions, sponsors, and rights holders.

He has acted for some of the largest companies in the world, representing clients that have been investigated or prosecuted by law enforcement organisations such as the Serious Fraud Office and the US Department of Justice.

An experienced criminal barrister and trial advocate, since joining Fulcrum, Wayne has conducted numerous complex internal corporate investigations across multiple jurisdictions. He regularly delivers training to companies and individuals to help them avoid regulatory intervention. He also has experience of mediation and arbitration.

Away from law, Wayne has refereed over 90 international rugby union test matches and has overseen more Rugby World Cup matches than any other official, including three quarter finals, a semi-final and a two bronze finals. In 2019, he was named the World Rugby Referee of the Year.

Wayne is actively involved with several charities. He is a patron of the Atrial Fibrillation Foundation, a regular supporter and fundraiser for the rugby charity Wooden Spoon and, along with his wife, organises a host of charity rugby events, supporting Breast Cancer Now.