Sports bodies create £150,000 legal advice pot for sport and recreation organisations

As part of their Legal Panel Framework, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, Sport England, UK Sport and Sport Wales, are pleased to announce the development and launch of a Pro-Bono Fund for sport.

The Fund comes in the shape of a commitment from each of the ten law firms appointed earlier this year to the Legal Panel Framework to provide up to £5,000 worth of advice direct to national governing bodies (NGBs) and sport and recreation organisations over the period of the Framework.

The Framework is designed to help NGBs access legal advice from the appointed law firms who have a commitment to and expertise in the sector.

Tim Lamb, chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, said: “The development of the Pro-Bono Fund demonstrates a real commitment from each of the appointed firms to assist the sector with its legal needs.

"At a time when budget constraints mean that many organisations aren’t able to take the legal advice they need this is a really welcome initiative.

"Good legal advice is invaluable in sport and this pot is going to make a big difference for many small organisations.”

The Pro-Bono Fund will enable small NGBs and sport and recreation organisations to access free legal advice from the Legal Panel Framework firms through a central application process coordinated by the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

Bates Wells Braithwaite, Brabners Chaffe Street, Dolmans, Farrer & Co, Gateley, Moorhead James, Muckle, Pinsent Masons,Thomas Eggar, Wright Hassall were appointed to the Legal Panel Framework earlier this year.

John Burns, Partner at Gateley, said “As one of the panel firms we wholeheartedly support this initiative and if our commitment to the provision of pro bono advice in some small way helps the development of sport within the UK then this is something that Gateley will, quite rightly, be very proud of."

Organisations wishing to access the free assistance in the areas of law specified by the Framework and which meet the eligibility criteria are simply asked to complete an application form to tap into the Fund.

For more information on how to apply and how the Pro-Bono Fund works please visit the related pages on this website.

For full information on the Legal Panel Framework please visit any of the website of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, Sport England, UK Sport and Sport Wales.