Hugh James has a strong grounding in the sports arena and deploys a multidisciplinary approach on behalf of broad and varied client portfolio spanning many different sports and types of client, including clubs, governing bodies and individuals. Nurtured over the years by 'calm and sensible' team head Gerallt Jones , the Welsh Rugby Union remains a core client, with banking and finance partner Dominic Marshall recently advising it on the refinancing of its £20m CLBILS emergency loan secured in October 2020. 'Hugely experienced and able' commercial litigator Tracey Singlehurst-Ward has a significant focus on sports mandates, and continues to spearhead the firm's work for the British Boxing Board of Control. In July 2023 the firm acquired Cardiff-based boutique Loosemores, taking on a team well-regarded for its work for a wide range of clients covering a range of amateur and professional sports. The 'knowledgeable and well-connected' Mark Loosemore provides 'highly commercial and thorough' advice to many Welsh governing bodies, including the Football Association of Wales (FAW), across a range of commercial agreements, relating to, inter alia, sponsorship, image rights and hospitality rights deals. On the contentious front, the 'very diligent' Karl Thomas has a strong track record advising on sports disciplinary cases and sports regulatory disputes. Drawing upon her governance and charities law expertise, 'very personable and helpful' solicitor Rebecca McCarthy is also a key member of the team and 'specialises in legal status for sports clubs'.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Staff are highly skilled in the areas we have required services from Hugh James - from help with modernisation, updating legal documents to settling disputes.’
'Gerallt Jones is calm and sensible, with good experience and knowledge.'
'Tracey Singlehurst-Ward is hugely experienced and able.'
‘In highly charged environments Tracey Singlehurst-Ward is a calming influence and the voice of common sense, always applying logic, whatever the situation.'
‘The exceptional Mark Loosemore is highly commercial and thorough in his approach and strategically guides the project through to completion. His experience is very valuable to any situation and he is prompt and clear in all communication.’
‘Mark Loosemore is hugely experienced, knowledgeable and well-connected.'
'Karl Thomas is very diligent in dispute resolutions and mediation for the sports sector. Karl has worked closely and successfully in disciplinary matters with many of our members in the sports sector.'
'Rebecca McCarthy is very personable and helpful. She specialises in legal status for sports clubs and has proved very helpful to the sports sector, always able to explain complex issues into easily understood language.'
Key clients
- British Boxing Board of Control
- Welsh Rugby Union
- Welsh Gymnastics
- Metro Bank
- Cardiff Rugby
- Celtic Manor Resort
- Sport Wales
- Welsh Athletics
- Ryan Jones (former British & Irish Lion and Welsh rugby captain)
- Run4Wales
Work highlights
- Longstanding legal adviser to the Welsh Rugby Union. Over the last year, the firm advised on various finance and corporate governance matters, on club incorporations and the company’s AGM which resulted in considerable publicity because key proposals were voted down by member clubs.
- Exclusive legal partner of the Cardiff Rugby region. In the last year, this has included advising on a wide range of issues including acting for players at disciplinary processes and lease matters at its home, Cardiff Arms Park.
- Carried out a comprehensive review of the governance documentation for six National Governing Bodies (NGBs) forming part of Sport Wales. The reviews were undertaken for the NGBs for boxing, canoeing, golf, gymnastics, athletics and swimming.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Gerallt Jones