Phil was recommended to us when we had issues with a sports body. He was very clear, personable and knowledgeable about a range of issues. Phil always presented a variety of options and the potential effect - this enabled us to have an idea of costs and exactly which actions to take. We felt he cared about us as clients and was both realistic and reassuring throughout.
Ward Hadaway is a leading authority in sports law, dedicated to providing tailored solutions for NGBs, Competitions and participants who play a vital role in ensuring fairness, integrity, and compliance within the sports industry.
We have successfully represented and advised numerous clients in the sports industry, helping them navigate complex regulatory and governance challenges from corporate governance obligations, dispute resolution, disciplinary and compliance issues, rule formation and amendments to compliance strategies, commercial agreements and inquests.
Work we have done
- Advising NGBs on corporate governance obligations for Sports England funded bodies under the Code for Sports Governance.
- Advising British Weightlifting (NGB) on matters relating to corporate governance, selection disputes, internal investigations, arbitrations and employment issues.
- Advice to the Premier League on Board powers, the Owners and Directors Test and other rule changes.
- Advising England Athletics on restructuring and new constitution/Articles to reflect its changing role in UK Athletics.
- Advising South of England Athletics in its contractual and regulatory relationship with UK Athletics.
- Working with a mass participation sports event organiser on creation and negotiation of sponsorship agreements.
- Advising on various commercial agreement drafting / negotiation for both suppliers and sports clubs, including the FA and a New Zealand rugby club.
- Acting for various unincorporated associations and clubs in regard to constitutional rules and regulations, and incorporation.
- Represented Peter Metcalf in the Hillsborough Inquests, 2014-16, by far the longest case ever heard by a jury in British legal history, then in his high profile successful defence of criminal charges, 2017-21. The cases required a deep understanding of the sociology of football and psychology of the football fan in the 1980s and now.