Running the Gauntlet: Lawyers at Sports Disciplinary Hearings: An Athlete’s Perspective

The Sports Law Bar Association is proud to have hosted the first cross-border sports law event in the Inns of Court, Belfast on 26 April. In attendance were both the Attorney General for Northern Ireland, Dame Brenda King, and Attorney General of Ireland, Rossa Fanning SC.

Olympians, Elizabeth Colvin (OLY Irish Women’s Hockey) and Paddy Barnes (OLY Irish Boxing), alongside expert sports lawyer, Conor Sally, shared experiences from their sporting careers and work in the area. The panel was moderated by Emma Davey BL, Secretary of the SLBA.

Panellists discussed the rules applicable during their sporting careers and the stronger protections in place today, ensuring fair procedures and natural justice for athletes at both grassroots and international level. The involvement of lawyers and the potential to over-legalise sport disputes was a topic of interesting debate. All participants agreed athletes should be allowed legal representation in particularly complex disputes. The panel also shared concerns about the complex nature of rules and evolving litigious nature of sport. This event was open to both barristers and solicitors from the island of Ireland. The drinks reception afterwards offered a unique cross-border networking opportunity.

Members can watch back “Running the Gauntlet: Lawyers at Sports Disciplinary Hearings: An Athlete’s Perspective” in our Member’s Area.