Sports lawyers

Our premier sports lawyers advise a wide range of clients across the sports sector.

Services offered by our sports lawyers

We are a full-service team, offering client support around the following:

Risk and liability
Insurance coverage
Regulatory issues
Child protection issues
Governance and disputes affecting sport’s National Governing Bodies (NGBs), organisations, clubs, competitors, officials, spectators and insurers (from coverage to resolution)

Why choose our sports lawyers?

This multi-disciplinary, national team of sports lawyers brings a wide range of skills and expertise allied with pragmatism and commercial acumen, underpinned by a passion for all sports — from Cumbrian rugby, football in Dartford through to participation at European Championship-level triathlon and motorsport.

The group is a real front runner in advising on safeguarding issues. This includes policy formulation, advising on enquiries and investigations and dealing with data protection and human rights issues, as well as liaising with agencies including the police, social services and the NSPCC.

We advise insurers, brokers and insureds (governing bodies, clubs and organisers of sport) on all aspects of liability, regulation and risk, having acted in a wide range of sports including motorsport, rugby, gymnastics, martial arts, equestrian activities, football, hockey and golf. A specialist sub-team is focused on the issue of coverage and advises on both domestic and international matters, with recent highlights including claims under a series of related policies for professional footballers in the UAE.

We are true team players with a wealth of experience in advising on governance issues, particularly the challenges presented by the launch of "A Code for Sports Governance" from Sport England and UK Sport, where our guidance and advice ensures our clients are always ahead of the game. Indeed, partners in the team are also Sport England-qualified coaches and club leaders and are able to bring first-hand practical experience of handling these issues themselves in an active sporting environment in addition to cogent legal insight.

The benefit of horse livery contracts

We have in-depth understanding of the equestrian world, along with recognised legal skills and extensive experience.

Learn more about horse livery contracts

Notable sports law cases

Mock v Mullacott Equestrian Centre Ltd (2017)

The strict liability provision imposed by section 2(2) of the Animals Act 1971 was avoided by demonstrating at trial on behalf of the defendant that the claimant had voluntarily accepted the risk within the hack she partook and suffered injury, such that the full statutory defence was engaged per section 5(2). The claimant's case was dismissed.

Trustees of the Portsmouth Youth Activities Committee (A Charity) v Poppleton (2008)

The claimant was seriously injured when he tried to jump from the top of the back wall to the buttress on the opposite wall at the defendant's indoor climbing centre. The claim was dismissed, the court finding there were inherent and obvious risks in the activity (he was undertaking of his own free will). The law did not require the defendant to prevent him from undertaking it, nor to train or supervise him while he did it.

Kyson v Hemmings (D1) & Molnar (D2) QBD 2002 (HHJ Pryor QC)

Claim arose out of accident in classic motorcycle race at Mallory Park, Gerards that saw the claimant sustain significant injury. The court found that it was more probable than not that the cause of the accident was the claimant taking the wrong line out of Gerards and coming into contact with the rumble strip as opposed to the allegations made against the respective defendants in terms of products supplied, the claim being dismissed in its entirety.

Our other insurance law services

Accolades

Weightmans offers an established and market-leading national public sector team with real strength in depth. It acts for more than 250 local authorities as well as emergency services and all public sector insurers. It has an acute understanding of the full breadth of their client's legal needs. .hey are reputationally astute and are always mindful of the need to protect the public purse. Weightmans continues to be a leading light in the development of public sector jurisprudence.
Legal 500 2025
Weightmans are an all-round great firm, they are very friendly, professional, and have a wealth of knowledge. We use them for a variety of casualty claims and always receive exceptional service.
Legal 500 2025
They have a wealth of knowledge of the legal system as well as our own business history which can be considerably complicated. We have an excellent working relationship and communicate regularly to ensure all strategies are understood and agreed.
Legal 500 2025
A firm with national coverage with a very strong presence in London. Attention to detail combined with a calm manner when dealing with challenging matters is the hallmark of this firm.
Legal 500 2025
The team at Weightmans are extremely experienced, have brilliant relationships with the Trusts and NHSR and are very efficient. Always a pleasure to be instructed by solicitors at the top of their game. .onia Morgan and Rosalind Bird are standout individuals. Both are very thoughtful and analytical in terms of the law and medicine but combine that with an appreciation of the practicalities of clinical negligence litigation.
Legal 500 2025
This is a great team undertaking high-quality defendant work. It is noteworthy that they have been engaged for the most challenging of claims against the NHS involving complex and technically difficult matters. They are hardworking, efficient and clear thinking.
Legal 500 2025
Weightmans is a firm than understands the needs of my business and offers an almost bespoke service.
Legal 500 2025
They are very strong all round outfit with strength in depth across all areas. Very much a one stop shop for serious injury matters of all types.
Legal 500 2025
They are very approachable, knowledgeable and I feel one of the best defendant insurance firms in the market. They are willing to go the extra mile in terms of service and added value.
Legal 500 2025
I have worked with Weightmans for many years. They quickly familiarised themselves with our business and seamlessly adapted their services to suit our needs. On an individual or team level, we have enjoyed a friendly, efficient and competitive service based on a considerable breadth of knowledge and experience. Clients requiring front-line legal claims services and complementary management support will find that Weightmans will enhance their business.
Legal 500 2025
The Weightmans team are a real heavy-weight in the defendant clinical negligence market. All of the individuals there are impressive litigators. I am always amazed at how well they prepare cases.
Legal 500 2025
They really stand out for their quality of work. .They are true experts in Defendant clinical negligence work with experience across the full spectrum of such cases.
Legal 500 2025
Weightmans are a formidable defendant firm, with heavy-hitting partners and associates.
Legal 500 2025
Weightmans are an excellent choice for Defendants in a crowded market place. They remain on top of new developments in order to ensure high quality service and great value for clients. They seem to have an uncanny ability to produce lawyers who are calm under pressure and skilled in making the complex look straightforward.
Legal 500 2025
Weightmans' team is top-notch, right down to the most junior members. I always have full confidence that the cases are prepared to a high standard and their lawyers are over all relevant detail.
Legal 500 2025
Weightmans are prompt and efficient whilst also being extremely knowledgeable and supportive. Weightmans treat clients respectfully and explain claims procedures and prospects clearly.
Legal 500 2025
There is a great depth of knowledge and ability. Attention to detail is very important and a close eye is kept by Weightmans on tactics and legal timescales. All staff are highly competent and personable. I can trust them to get on with the management of a claim without worrying.
Legal 500 2025
Weightmans have a good balance of skillsets and they work collaboratively on legal matters.
Chambers 2025
Weightmans have a very strong knowledge of the sector and offer practical advice. They are proactive, available and always on hand.
Chambers 2025
Weightmans has the ability to analyse and advise on very complex matters when there is immense pressure on all parties.
Chambers 2025
The team is always very professional and balanced in their approach.
Chambers 2025
Weightmans' lawyers are always prompt and efficient, while remaining extremely knowledgeable and supportive.
Chambers 2025
Weightmans is consistently outstanding; a more capable and talented team would be hard to find.
Chambers 2025
Weightmans has a wealth of talented legal staff who collectively can represent clients across all manner of legal issues, while paying close attention to deadlines, costs and claim outcomes.
Chambers 2025