Sport

Sport

Overview

We have a formidable reputation as one of the UK’s leading law firms operating in the sport sector. For more than 25 years we have represented governing bodies, clubs, athletes, and venues/stadiums on a vast range of matters.

In addition to providing legal advice to our clients, our partners also occupy some of the most important non-executive positions in Welsh sport and are at the forefront of major sporting developments.

Key contact

Gerallt Jones

Partner, Head of Corporate and Commercial

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Gerallt is a partner and head of the corporate and commercial team. Since joining Hugh James in 2005, Gerallt has led the team to be a leading player within the corporate and commercial market, advising clients including the Welsh Government, the Welsh Rugby Union, Princes Gate Water and the Development Bank of Wales. Gerallt’s achievements are reflected by his inclusion in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame, which highlights the law firm partners who are at the pinnacle of the profession.

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Senior experts

Examples of some of our most significant work includes:

Advising our longstanding client, the Welsh Rugby Union, on a vast range of projects such as the construction of the iconic Principality Stadium, its landmark agreements with the Welsh professional rugby teams, joint ventures with Compass Group and Rightacres Property.
Advising the British Boxing Board of Control on numerous regulatory matters and disputes with world-renowned fighters and leading boxing promoters.
Advising the Celtic Manor Resort on its hosting of the Ryder Cup and Welsh Government.
Advising numerous former international rugby players on their personal injury insurance claims following forced early retirement.
Advising Olympians on contractual disputes.
Advising professional golfers in relation to contractual agreements and business ventures.

Our work

The range of our work spans a variety of legal disciplines and areas of specialisms including:

Commercial contracts including sponsorship and broadcasting;
Image rights;
Joint ventures;
Sports governance;
Commercial and sponsorship rights and agreements;
Disciplinary and regulatory hearings;
Property;
Construction (particularly stadium construction);
Merchandising and licensing;
Ambush marketing; and
Funding.

Case studies

Advising the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) on an agreement which sees it take ownership and operational control of the Dragons, the professional rugby union team for the Gwent Region.

Advising long standing client, the Walters group, on the sale of Ffos Las racecourse to Arena Racing Company (ARC).

Advising its long standing client the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) on a joint venture with Rightacres Properties and Legal & General which will transform two of Cardiff’s most iconic buildings

“This is a significant agreement for Welsh rugby and will enable a new vision for a sustainable Dragons both on and off the pitch to be implemented. I was pleased to be able to work with Hugh James supporting us on this project and I am grateful to the team at Hugh James who were involved for their advice in reaching a constructive outcome.”

Rhodri Lewis, Head of Legal Affairs, Welsh Rugby Union (WRU)

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