Litigation & Arbitration
Disputes are an inevitable feature of the sports business. We guide clients through available options for commencing, maintaining or defending a claim, whether it be via the courts or arbitration in the UK or internationally.We take a fearless, commercial and results-driven approach to litigation and guide our clients through the mechanics of dispute resolution on a cost-effective basis without ever compromising their ability to retain a firm control on the overall direction of the process.
We have particular experience in handling contract disputes, regulatory cases and IP, anti-ambush and image rights protection issues.
Mediation and ADR
Courts and sports bodies are keener than ever to encourage the diversion of cases to professional mediators who can facilitate an early settlement as a means of Alternative Dispute Resolution. We advocate mediation where appropriate as a means to enable a dispute to be settled both quickly and relatively inexpensively.Regulatory Advice and Representation
Many sports disputes which arise over the application of the commercial, disciplinary or doping rules of various sporting bodies never enter the courts or tribunals. Our team has considerable experience of handling such disputes in a wide variety of forums.Contacts: Fraser Reid, Nick White, Daniel Lowen
Recent cases include:
- Representing a high profile league in disciplinary proceedings against a member club in respect of breaches of the league's rules
- Representing a global financial services provider in respect of its dispute with a national cricket governing body and its sponsor
- Representing an Indian sports TV channel in its international arbitration in Singapore with a television network regarding a major channel distribution agreement
- Representing a football club before an FA disciplinary hearing to secure an unprecedented revocation of a points penalty
- Representing a football club before an FA panel in respect of the club's appeal against its ejection from the FA Cup
- Securing libel damages and an apology from a national newspaper on behalf of a World Cup-winning manager
- Representing an Indian media rights agency in arbitral proceedings in London in respect of unpaid broadcast licence fees
- High court litigation on behalf of a sports rights licensor against a major video games publisher
- High court software copyright infringement action on behalf of a sports software company
- Representing international footballers in disputes with clubs over issues such as disciplinary sanctions and non-payment of wages
- Representing international sportsmen in disputes against various infringers of image rights
- Advising an apparel manufacturer in relation to an unregistered design rights dispute