Human Resources

Dealing with employment issues can be complex, with frequent changes in the law affecting how any issue within a contract should be dealt with - a situation complicated even more within the field of sport, given the peculiarities and rules attached to it.

Our sector understanding and experience enables us to give certainty to our clients. We anticipate the issues and advise on how to resolve them by giving sound practical advice at all stages of the employment relationship.

Whether advising on the creation of a contract, dealing with issues during employment or those around bringing a contract to an end, we look at the employment relationship in the round. Our role extends to ensuring we deliver the advice to best protect our clients in terms of reputation, finance and their future involvement within sport.

Given the significant financial consequences that can arise when things go awry, we often advise at an early stage to help ensure our clients' exposure is minimised or rights protected. When things do go wrong, we provide expertise in dealing with disciplinary hearings, sporting commissions and tribunals and matters before a court. With our 24/7 access, our team will often obtain injunctions, advise on business reconstructions and protecting rights for a wide range of clients including professional teams, governing bodies, clubs, companies, individual participants and competitions. Recent work has included:-

• Advising on the appointment, management and dismissal of managers and coaches at leading professional clubs within rugby (Premier Rugby), football (all divisions), cricket and motorsport including negotiating compensation packages
• Drafting employee handbooks, disciplinary and grievance procedures
• Progressing and representing parties involved in disciplinary and regulatory matters including breach of club and/or governing body regulations within football, rugby, cricket and motorsport
• Clients include Silverstone Circuits, Bristol City FC, Gloucestershire CCC, West Bromwich Albion FC and London Wasps RFC

Contact: Kevin Jones, Tim Forer