Sports Barristers

Both on and off the field of play, those involved in the sports industry have seen many changes in the last twenty years, with increasing opportunities from the exploitation of commercial rights to the challenges of ever-increasing regulation and media interest in all those who participate in sport. Few barristers can compete with 3PB’s industry-recognised sports law team either in terms of breadth of services offered or the quality of service.

Our sports law barristers combine in-depth industry knowledge with advisory and advocacy skills. We include counsel who have worked at the employed bar, holding in-house legal roles at major sports bodies. Our team has specific expertise in, and a passion for, many of the main professional and amateur sports in the UK.

Our specialist sports barristers have particular experience in regulatory and disciplinary hearings, investigations, safeguarding and anti-doping. Due to the breadth of knowledge across 3PB as one of the largest multidisciplinary barristers’ chambers in the country, we also draw on our experience in areas of law such as commercial, employment, and crime.

We have worked across sports including, but not limited to:

• Football
• Rugby
• Athletics
• Cycling
• Gymnastics
• Tennis
• Canoeing
• Horse Racing
• Swimming
• Golf
• Weightlifting
• Skiing

3PB barristers play a significant role in conducting investigations for sports organisations and resolving sporting disputes, acting as the chair of disciplinary panels and appearing as counsel for the relevant governing body or sports participant.

Gareth Graham, who heads 3PB’s Sports Law Group, is well known as a chair of disciplinary hearings, sitting as a chair in a wide range of sports including for the RFU, World Rugby, Six Nations, Rugby Europe and European Professional Club Rugby, The Football Association, The English Football League, The British Horseracing Authority and British Cycling. He is also a member of the Sport Resolutions Panel of Arbitrators and Mediators.

The 3PB Sports Law Group also includes two former in-house sports barristers: Sam Shurey, who was a Regulatory Advocate at The Football Association, and Louise Hartley, Sport England’s former Head of Legal.

Our team of barristers can also advise sports organisations on non-contentious regulatory matters and commercial issues ranging from Intellectual Property through to Data Protection, and Employment law. We are particularly well placed to assist with drafting, reviewing, and amending rules, regulations, policies, and procedures including but not limited to:

• Substantive disciplinary rules and regulations;
  • Investigation, charging, and hearing procedures and policies; and
  • Safeguarding regulations and case management procedures.

Members of 3PB’s Sports Law Group also accept instructions on a Public Access basis in appropriate cases. This means we can accept instructions directly from athletes and sports organisations without requiring the involvement of a solicitor.

Our sports law barristers are supported by a specialist team of clerks who understand the associated pressures on sports participants when they urgently require advice, representation, or ongoing support. We are experienced at providing bespoke, fast, and flexible assistance to busy in-house legal teams of national and international governing bodies.

We are available for instructions from any of our seven UK centres: London, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Manchester, Oxford, and Winchester, all of which are well equipped with the technology to facilitate virtual meetings, conferences, and proceedings where required.

Examples of our work:

Much of our work remains private and confidential according to the relevant rules and regulations, however some examples include:

Investigations: into disciplinary and safeguarding allegations on behalf of prominent Sports Governing Bodies.(Gareth Graham)

Chairing disciplinary panels: Joe Marler (Harlequins) – chaired the hearing into the English rugby player’s offensive comments on-field to an opposition player. He received a six-week ban. (Gareth Graham)

Disciplinary and safeguarding: Appearing as an advocate in many sports disciplinary and safeguarding cases. (Various members)

Disciplinary and safeguarding: Management of Sport England’s role as a commissioning organisation in the Whyte Review into allegations of mistreatment within UK Gymnastics. (Louise Hartley)

In-house legal support: Instructed to provide support to the in-house legal team at the International Tennis Federation. (Sam Shurey)

Commercial: Advising on brand protection, licensing and strategic/commercial partnerships for the This Girl Can campaign; and provided counsel and strategic advice on novel and complex investments of Lottery and Exchequer funding. (Louise Hartley)