Legal 500 Top Tier 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chambers 2012

Sports

At Hugh James sport is not just an area of expertise, it’s a way of life.

As a firm we are passionate about sport.  Hugh James is widely recognised as the leading sports law firm in Wales. 

Specialist lawyers for the sports sector

Our team advises on legal sporting issues and many play an active role in the local sporting community.  Some have competed at a very high level.

 

Hugh James sports services

 

Services to sports individuals

Our sports practice offers a comprehensive service to athletes, helping you to manage life on and off the field. We can advise you about issues that directly affect your sporting career and contractual obligations as well as your day-to-day legal requirements.

Services include:

  • contracts
  • disciplinary hearings
  • sports injury
  • image rights
  • asset management
  • property
  • financial services

See our full range of services to individuals

 

Services to sports organisations

Sports organisations need lawyers who understand their game. Over the last 20 years our specialist sports team has dealt with high profile, controversial and sensitive matters on behalf of sports organisations. Our vast expertise in this area allows us to give informed, commercially focused guidance to our sporting clients on a broad range of legal issues.

Services include:

  • governance issues for sporting bodies
  • sponsorship agreements
  • disciplinary hearings
  • stadium construction
  • merchandising and licensing
  • ambush marketing
  • funding

See our full range of services to businesses

 

Full time

When you call time on your sporting career it is essential that you work with advisors who can help to continue to be successful in the next phase of your life. Our sports team have a broad range of experience advising former professional athletes in their transition to business.

We can help you to:

  • start a business
  • invest in property
  • manage your image

 

Back to top


Hugh James sports sector experience

  • Services to sports individuals
  • Services to sports organisations

 

Services to sports individuals

  • Scott Quinnell on the formation of investment vehicle ‘Dynevor Ltd’ and its subsequent acquisition of Dore
  • Numerous former international rugby players on their personal injury insurance claims following forced early retirement
  • Numerous sports personalities on their matrimonial affairs
  • An Olympic medallist on a contractual dispute with his promotional company
  • A professional golfer in relation to contractual agreements with a global sports agency
  • An Olympic medallist on a personal injury matters
  • A professional golfer on a number of financial investments
  • Numerous former and current international rugby players at disciplinary hearings

 

Services to sports organisations

Welsh Rugby Union Ltd (WRU) on a range of legal issues including:

  • its groundbreaking £30 million agreement relating to the funding and operation of its four rugby regions: the Cardiff Blues, the Llanelli Scarlets, the Newport-Gwent Dragons and the Ospreys
  • Their incorporation as a limited company and transfer of assets to the WRU from the former unincorporated association
  • governance issues
  • commercial agreements including sponsorship and broadcasting agreements
  • disciplinary cases involving high profile international players
  • the two million pound Centre of Excellence at the Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort in Hensol

 

Millennium Stadium on a broad range of legal issues including: 

  • a £50 million facility with Barclays Bank
  • the construction of the stadium
  • a successful case against an organiser of a boxing event at the stadium involving Joe Calzaghe

 

Numerous commercial, employment and events contracts including:

 

  • Ffos Las Limited (part of the Walters Group) in connection with the new racecourse development in Carmarthenshire
  • Numerous sports clubs on their Club Premises Certificates
  • Cardiff Bay Authority/Cardiff Council on their successful action to protect the sailing club at Llanishen Reservoir
  • Bay Leisure Ltd on its agreement to run Swansea Leisure Centre and various commercial contracts
  • Golf Union of Wales on commercial and corporate matters

Contact

gareth Williams ColourGareth Williams

Senior Partner

Commercial Litigation

E gareth.williams@hughjames.com

 T 029 2039 1022


back to top

gareth Williams ColourContact

Gareth Williams

Senior Partner

Commercial Litigation

Indemnity and Corporate Risk

 

E gareth.williams@hughjames.com

T 029 2039 1022

 

Testimonials

Hugh James owes its prominence in the Welsh sports market to its long-standing relationship with the Welsh Rugby Union, for whom it advises on a wide range of issues including commercial, constitutional and broadcasting matters.

Chambers 2012

 

Hugh James have been ranked in the top tier of the Legal 500 2011 report.

Hugh James’ senior partner Gareth Williams ‘has an air of authority and provides advice that is direct and practical’, combining commercial litigation and sports law experience to lead the practice, whose primary client remains the WRU. Williams also led a successful appeal against the Welsh Football League, regarding its decision to relegate two clubs from division three of the league.

Legal 500 2011

 

"I’ve really got to go on record to thank...the WRU’s solicitors Hugh James for all they did for me. They left no stone unturned and have really looked after me. I found myself in a difficult position, but I’m just glad it’s all over now and it was just great to be part of the winning team."

 

Source: Lee Byrne, quoted in Daily Post North Wales 05 I 02 I 10

 

“I am extremely grateful for the professionalism, expertise and dedication Hugh James demonstrated throughout the negotiation of this historic agreement. Their contribution was instrumental in helping us get the deal over the line. Their guidance throughout the protracted and sometimes difficult negotiations was invaluable and is greatly appreciated by me and the whole of the WRU team."

Roger Lewis, CEO, Welsh Rugby Union

 

Senior Partner Gareth Williams is the group’s most prominent lawyer, and his litigation-focused practice has strong sport’s law flavour”

Chambers, 2009.

 

”We are extremely grateful to Hugh James for the high standard of professional advice we receive from them as it allows us to make robust and measured  strategic decisions which benefit the Group and protect the interests of the Millennium Stadium and our national sport.”

The Group Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, Roger Lewis

 

“Hugh James were an invaluable part of the team and managed the acquisition superbly.  This was a complicated deal involving various countries across the globe and tight timescales, but they made it all seem very easy.  The service they provided was first class.”

Scott Quinnell, Development Director, Dore

Design by Brand 68 Development by Fusionworkshop