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Introduction

Ashfords has a specialist team of sports lawyers. Our expertise is primarily in horse racing and other equine disciplines, motorsport, football, cycling, cricket, boxing and rugby union. We act for individuals, clubs, team sponsors and rights holders and advise on issues arising both on and off the field of play. Our team has a wealth of experience of sports, both as participants and as legal advisers. We believe we have the right blend of technical expertise and practical understanding of the sports industry. We act for regulators, representative bodies, sponsors, teams and participants in sports at all professional levels. Our clients range from Champion Jockeys to the British Microlight Aircraft Association.

Work handled includes:

• Disciplinary Hearings
• Sponsorship, Merchandising and Endorsement Agreements
• Player and Driver Contracts
• Image rights, personality rights and privacy
• Merchandising and IP Rights
• Stadium and Circuit Development Construction
• Property and Planning in relation to stadium circuits and sports grounds
• Project and Capital Finance
• Sport related taxation issues
• Individual wealth management
• Health and Safety
• Brand Management
• Advising Regulatory on Corporate and Regulatory Governance
• Commercial and Regulatory issues
• Restraint of trade
• Event Management
• Ambush Marketing
• Strategic Alliances
• Player and Driver Agent arrangements
• Intellectual Property Protection
• Sports Injury

Recent work undertaken includes: 

• Acting for champion Jockeys, under codes in successful Appeals against suspension imposed by local stewards
• Acting for a Premiership Football Club in respect of its Club and kit sponsorship arrangements
• Acting in a multimillion pound media rights dispute involving live pictures on horseracing
• Drafting and negotiating Driver Contracts for a leading international motorsport team
• Reviewing and advising on engine and chassis supply agreements
• Advising in relation to driver and team title sponsorship
• Advising a player regarding termination of his contract from a leading Rugby Union Club
• Acting for Rugby Union and Football Clubs and advising on player transfer disputes and sponsorship matters
• Appearing before the Football League Disciplinary Commission and other Football Regulatory bodies
• Advising a sponsor on the contractual arrangements for an equipment sponsorship with a National Team
• Advising both regulatory and representative bodies in relation to Rule changes
• Advising individuals involved in sport in relation to comment made in the written media
• Advising in relation to a contract to crew one of the Americas Cup entries
• Advising on the construction of a new stadium for a Rugby Union Club including negotiating JV arrangements
• Advising an Olympic three day event rider on the sale and purchase of event horses
• Advising a world top ten snooker player regarding image rights
• Advising a boxer and holder of British and Commonwealth middleweight titles title defence obligations
• Advising a boxing manager on contractual issues
• Advising a cricket league on the application of Kolpak Regulations

What others say about us

"tenacious and hard-working" Rory Mac Neice ensures this team a high rating. "A born fighter," he is noted for his bold style and perseverance - "he never gives up, and can win against the odds."
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession, 2008 Edition

"Rory Mac Neice singled out as a "solicitor advocate who does really good work".
Chamber Guide to the Legal Profession 2007 Edition

"Litigator, Rory Mac Neice "really knows his stuff". Clients appreciate that he has "detailed specialist knowledge and always gives sound advice". He has the mentality of a sportsman in the sense that he does not like losing"
Chamber Guide to the Legal Profession 2006 Edition

"... has detailed specialist knowledge and always gives sound advice"
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession 2005 Edition

"...understands how racing works"
Legal 500

"...boasts particular experience in racing-related disputes as well as advising football and rugby clubs"
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession 2004 Edition