Who? Toby Starr, 45, commercial dispute resolution consultant at City firm Druces.

Why is he in the news? Acted for racing driver Giedo van der Garde and his company in a successful claim against the Swiss Sauber Formula One (F1) team.

Van der Garde had been given a contract to drive for Sauber during the 2015 racing season, but in November 2014 the team announced that it would give its two F1 cars to other drivers instead. Arbitration proceedings began and were concluded with injunctive relief in Van der Garde’s favour in time for the start of the season.

F1 disputes are often secretive. However this one, conducted under the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration, became public before the Melbourne Grand Prix in March.

On the Saturday morning of the grand prix weekend, after enforcement action in Melbourne’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, and with the prospect of a seizure of Sauber’s racing cars on an application for contempt, the parties settled.

Thoughts on the case: ‘A right to drive and shine in front of the world for the 2015 F1 season was denied this young driver. The speed of the procedures in this case was impressive and we are proud to have secured an injunction. However, clients are rightly shocked at the cost and uncertainties of the process.

The sport’s governing body, the Federation Internationale de L’Automobile needs to set up an internal resolution system to help drivers and teams rather than force them to go through external legal proceedings.’

Dealing with the media: ‘When the news broke there was widespread coverage that focused on the glamour and intrigue in F1. However, as a lawyer, the interest was in the wider significance of sports stars continuing to participate in their sports under their contracts rather than being awarded damages to go away.’

Career low: ‘Being required to make the tea for my first seat principal, who spent her time swearing at me, or at the phone.’

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