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Sports Law

Our Sports Team is proud to offer a complete sports law legal advice service.

We’re one of the few firms in the UK able to do this and we’ve worked hard to build a team of people who have the expertise and specialist knowledge to work across the whole spectrum of sports law.

Sports law is an exciting and innovative area to work in and we take the time to get to know our clients so we can cut through the noise and give you the advice you need – in a way that really works for you. Over the years we’ve built strong networks throughout the sector which is beneficial not just to us, but for our clients as well.

What we do

Our clients come to us for help and advice with buying and selling clubs, corporate M&A, governance, restructuring, as well as finance and insolvency issues.

We have an expert team of litigators who can support you through the dispute resolution process, including disputes between players, managers and agents, as well as disciplinary matters, Rule K arbitration and EFL arbitration.  We’ll give you practical answers that will help with your immediate commercial considerations, as well as your long-term strategic aims.

If you’re facing sports employment or immigration issues, we’ve got a wealth of experience helping clients with: manager or head coach and playing staff contracts, player- and manager-related disputes and arbitration/litigation, Managers’ Arbitration Tribunals, Esports player contracts, sponsor licences and governing body endorsements.

Our Commercial Group can guide you through the complex and innovative world of sponsorship and partnership agreements, kit supply, Esports, Blockchain, image rights, catering, event staging and ticketing arrangements, content creation and merchandising. We have a huge amount of experience advising organisations on their day-to-day business relationships, so we understand the pressures that come with this kind of environment and we’ll work as an extension of your team – whether that’s for a one-off transaction, or the start of an ongoing relationship.

We’re also here for the day-to-day work too. We understand that sports clubs are just like any other business – they’re subject to the usual requirements of the law as well as more specialist sports advice. We’ll help you keep on top of your to-do list with our full range of legal services.

The Walker Morris Sports Group is rated as a top-tier law firm in the ‘Sports Sector’ in the latest edition of the Legal 500.

 

Insights

“I rate them as highly as anyone in the sporting world. They have a great client base. They really look after their clients well. They are a top, top litigation sport firm”

Chambers & Partners

“Outstanding client list and first class quality of both contentious and non-contentious partners.”

Legal 500

“The team combines legal expertise with a commercial attitude and prompt service.”

Legal 500

“Walker Morris has commanding in-depth knowledge of the football industry. They are without doubt market leaders.”

Legal 500

“David Hinchliffe is recognised as a leader in his field. He knows all that there is to know about football – as well as knowing all the individuals there are to know. David is a go-to football solicitor.”

Legal 500

“David Hinchliffe, who heads the team, is one of the foremost lawyers in the country dealing with the sales and purchases of football clubs. He understands the market and he finds commercial solutions to deliver the client’s wishes.”

Legal 500

David
Hinchliffe

Partner

Head of Sport

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Adam
Melling

Associate

Employment & Sport

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India
Swall

Associate

Sport

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Christian
Slinger

Director

Sport

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Charlotte
Smith

Director

Employment & Sport

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