Sport
Name a sport and the chances are that we advise its individual competitors, clubs, governing body – or maybe all three.
Overview
Scotland’s leading team for sports law advice
Recognised as Scotland’s leading sports law firm for more than 25 years, we advise on every aspect of the law as it relates to the sporting world.
From individual disciplinary matters to multi-million-pound commercial contracts, we offer a complete service – the fact that we were appointed as Official Legal Advisers to both the Glasgow 2018 European Championships and the 2014 Commonwealth Games is a testament to that.
Sport is a bigger business than ever before and the issues faced by those operating in the sector are numerous and complex. What happens off the field of play is intrinsically linked to what happens in the arena, in competition and at grassroots.
We share our clients’ passion for sport and work in partnership with them to combine this deep knowledge and understanding with the commercial approach we are renowned for.
Our Sports Law team brings together a number of dedicated sports law specialists and recognised market leaders, including Scotland’s only Eminent Practitioner in Sports Law, Professor Lorne Crerar. The team advises in every aspect of sports law for the highest profile international federations and national governing bodies, tournament organisers, sports clubs, sports people and sports representatives.
In particular, we are highly experienced in advising on issues arising at local, national and international levels. We understand that effective project management is often essential in sports law matters as the inter-dependent nature of different operational work streams means that legal advice must be joined up and demonstrate an understanding of how issues arising in one area may affect delivery in other areas.
Retained by a stellar and wide-ranging roster of international federations, national governing bodies, tournament organisers, sports clubs, prominent sportspeople and sports representatives, Harper Macleod LLP possesses an enviable reputation in the sports law arena.
Key contacts
Key sports services
The group provides a complete service and has unrivalled experience in niche areas including:
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– Broadcasting agreements, both traditional and new media
– Charity law – Child protection and protection of vulnerable adults
– Commercial advisory including revenue streams – Commercial contracts – Competition and league staging – Data protection issues in sport including medical records – Employment law issues – Equalities – Image rights – Immigration issues – Insurance – Licensing | – Litigation and dispute resolution (in civil courts & sporting tribunals) – On- and off-field disciplinary issues – Player/athlete eligibility – Property law – Protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights – Regulatory governance and constitutional issues – Representation before sports tribunals, mediation and the Court of Arbitration for Sport – Reputation management – Restructuring and mergers of governing bodies – Sponsorship agreements, partnership agreements and advertising – Sporting governance – Sporting integrity – Ticketing arrangements – Tournament / event regulation including participation agreements – Use of trusts, SCIOs, charities and fund-raising in sport |
Work
Our work
Our experience spans the full spectrum of sports including football, rugby, tennis, cricket, judo, skiing, ice hockey, golf, karate, angling, triathlon, bowling, strength athletics, swimming, shinty, archery and many more.
International sporting competitions
sportscotland expert resource retained lawyers for sport in Scotland
Sport in the community
Sports law specialists
International sporting competitions
Overview
Our team has unrivalled experience in relation to advising on high profile international sporting competitions based in Scotland:
- Appointed the sole legal advisors to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Glasgow 2018 European Championships
- Advising UEFA in relation to the 2020 EURO Championships, creating the “blueprint” and “platinum standard” in relation to certain host city issues, to roll out across all host cities in the 2020 Championships which took place across multiple European cities in multiple territories
- Advising on the Enduro World Series mountain bike events
- Advising on the inaugural 2023 World Cycling Championships
- Appointed as the solicitors to Rugby World Cup 2015 to handle all brand protection matters in Scotland and appointed to the Discipline Panel dealing with all on and off field disciplinary issues
- Being the only firm in Scotland to have been appointed to London 2012 and the Ryder Cup 2014
- Providing in-house legal support to Culture and Sport Glasgow, operating as Glasgow Life, in relation to the World Gymnastics Championships 2015, Gymnastics World Cup 2016 British Swimming Championships 2016 and British Para-Swimming International Meet 2016, Homeless World Cup 2016, Tour of Britain 2016, Badminton World Federation Championships 2017 , European Indoor Athletics Championships 2019
sportscotland expert resource retained lawyers for sport in Scotland
Overview
As sole legal advisers to sportscotland’s expert resource group, we advise numerous SGBs on the broadest possible range of legal issues, including investigations, regulatory matters, compliance, complex cross-border commercial contracts, safeguarding, doping, discipline, IP, employment, immigration, litigation, equalities, data use, funding, construction, partnership arrangements, Brexit-impacted travel and COVID-related problems, trusts, property use and ownership for sports events and stadia.
Sport in the community
Overview
We continue to assist the wider sporting community and supported the annual conference for clubs, in the Clubsport Scotland Conference 2021, with our solicitors sharing learning and offering insights into future developments in sports law areas. We also have long standing relationships with Glasgow Warriors and Highland Rugby Club (HRFC), providing support to HRFC’s grass roots development programme through sponsorship of their development staff.
Sports law specialists
Overview
We were the first people in Scotland to specialise in sports law, and have been leading the way since 1992, with more individuals based in sport than any other firm.
Professor Lorne Crerar CBE FRSE, Chairman of Harper Macleod, is a former Chairman of the European Rugby Cup Tournament (EPCR) and was also a Judicial Officer at four Rugby World Cups and part of the judicial team at the inaugural Rugby 7s tournament at the 2016 Rio Olympics. For over 20 years he was Chairman of the Discipline Panels for the SRU, European Rugby Cup and 6Nations, standing down from these roles at the end of season 2016/17. He was an IRB “elite judge” and was also the Judicial Officer for the Rugby World Cup Finals in both 2015 and 2011.
In July 2017, the Scottish Rugby Board awarded Lorne ‘Emeritus’ status on the Scottish Rugby Discipline Panel – the first time anyone had been granted that honour – in recognition of his ‘tremendous service to the game’.
Bruce Caldow is the National Team solicitor for the Scottish Rugby Union and is also a legal chairman for the SFA judicial panel.
Tom Thomas advises high-profile sporting organisations on headline sponsorship and broadcast agreements for both domestic and foreign territories. He advised on the Host Broadcaster agreement for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“The Harper Macleod team brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, and the advice we have received has been clear and focused.”
“The quality of the work was exceptional, and they are also open to new ways of working to improve our relationship.”
“The team at Harper Macleod effectively provide a one-stop shop for all of our needs as a governing body of sport.”
“I have been working with Andrew Maxwell on and off for nearly three years. Throughout this time, he has been a calm and reassuring source of advice and counsel. He has an impressive depth of 85 experience coupled with a sound radar for recognising when a matter needs to be escalated. The builds a confidence and trust in his input.”
“A very responsive law firm who cater for all of our needs as a governing body of sport. They provide a diverse range of expertise in providing an excellent level of service and advice. And with it are very different in approach, spending time and making an effort to understand our culture, values and people.”
“Approachable, responsive, evidently very well qualified with depth of experience, authentic and prepared to spend the time understand us and our people. Harper MacLeod feel like they are part of the team.”
“Vast knowledge and expertise. Highly regarded within the sporting sector in Scotland. Excellent collaboration abilities. Well thought of by a wide range of partners. The people have an excellent way of working, a balance of knowledge, skill, professionalism whilst being friendly, supportive and understanding.”
“Considered, efficient, responsive and very clear.”
“The Harper Macleod team are very responsive and offer a high level of service.”
“This firm gives me absolute confidence. The experience and approach of their staff is second to none.”
“Bruce is extremely knowledgeable in sports.”
“Bruce is a reassuring and expert legal adviser.”
“Bruce provides clear, accurate advice and valued support.”
“Bruce Caldow is the expert. He advises us regularly and has been key to us developing a sector-leading conduct in sport process.”
“Tom Thomas supports the governance side of our organisation and has helped us further review and develop our articles of association as well as put together template commercial agreements.”
THE TEAM