Sports Law
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What is Sports Law?
Sport and the law come together in the UK to cover a wide range of issues. Due to the scale and diversity of sport in the UK, there are various areas in which sport and the law intersect. An experienced sports barrister can support you with such legal matters.
Do Sports Laws Exist?
In the UK and many other countries, sports are governed and regulated by their national governing body. For example, football in England is governed by the Football Association (the FA). However, situations do arise which fall outside the jurisdiction of governing bodies. When this happens, sport and the law must come together.
Sports law doesn’t exist as an individual branch of law; it is an amalgamation of many areas of law applied to a range of sporting contexts and situations. As such, sports barristers must be well-versed in a range of both law practices and sports.
Why is Sports Law Significant?
Sports law is significant because it describes legal issues and disputes relating to players, spectators, sponsors, stadiums, broadcasting and a host of other factors. It ensures fairness, equality and accountability within the sporting world.
Sport and the Law
The following are a list of legal areas in which sport and the law intersect:
- Player contracts and transfers
- Immigration laws in regards to foreign players and staff
- Health and safety regulations at stadiums and training facilities
- Sponsorship contracts
- Copyright and ‘passing off’ trademarked team branding
- Employment law
- Discrimination law
- Football banning orders as introduced by the Football Spectators Act 1989
- Abusive or disorderly behaviour at sporting events
- Finance and insolvency of sports clubs
- Competition law and sports broadcasting
- Sports injury and compensation
- Dangerous and disorderly behaviour at football matches as covered by the Football (Offences) Act 1991
Sports Law Barrister at St Pauls Chambers
Sports law covers many different areas. Under civil law at St Pauls Chambers, we have a number of sports barristers who have experience in both civil law and sports.
If you are in need of guidance, please take a look at our counsel profiles for our expert sports law barristers. Alternatively, contact us for more information.
Barristers
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Sport and The Law at St Pauls Chambers
Counsel at St Pauls Chambers are perfectly placed to deal with the most challenging of sports-related cases. We recognise the often unique legal needs of the sporting community, from elite athletes to amateur participants, as well as governing bodies.
Our clients range from sports barristers who represent individual sports persons, to clubs and their respective members, sporting regulators, accountants and financial advisers.
Counsel in the civil team have a breadth of experience when it comes to sport and the law, including:
- Clinical Negligence – claims against both clubs as well as independent doctors and physiotherapists.
- Contractual and Commercial Disputes
- Environmental Law – issues affecting water cleanliness/pollution, which impacts sports such as surfing and angling, as well as with the impact of the development of sporting sites, such as nuisance.
- Personal Injury – claims (including brain injury/concussion claims) against opponents, referees and event organisers.
- Public Law – challenges to selection and funding decisions, on behalf of individuals or governing bodies.
- Tax Law – disputes arising out of player transfers, bonuses, benefits, and classification of sports.
Sport and The Law for Media and Communications
Sports barristers at St Pauls have experience representing organisations at all levels as well as individual players, clubs and agents. We offer concise and clear advice regarding sport and the law, individually tailored solutions, as well as understanding and experience of the practicalities and requirements of the sporting sector.
We can provide advice on the commercial aspects (including transfers and sponsorship), as well as the regulatory framework that applies to individual sports and events (such eligibility for international events or doping issues).
Our sports barristers have worked on the following areas in sport and the law:
- Disciplinary and regulatory
- Sponsorship
- Contractual disputes
- Medical negligence
- Employment
- Visa applications
Contact us today for advice.
