Three OTC Speakers at LawInSport’s 6th Annual Conference

Outer Temple Chambers was delighted to join the LawInSport Annual Conference in November 2020, where James Counsell QC, Sarah Crowther QC and Louis Weston spoke at this leading sports event.

The 6th Annual LawInSport Conference, ‘Understand The Rules of The Game 2020’, included over 50 speakers from more than ten countries, discussing and debating 18 topics, over two weeks. This “must attend” sports law conference was one not to be missed.

As leading experts in their field, James Counsell QC, Sarah Crowther QC and Louis Weston were invited to join the list of speakers and panelists.

The Talks

Sarah Crowther QC was a panelist on the in-house counsel forum for work developments and effective practices; ‘What legal and governance lessons have been learned from the COVID-19 pandemic?’.  The panel discussion explored work developments and effective practices.

Sarah has a particular interest in safeguarding matters in sport. She has appeared in FA safeguarding proceedings and on behalf of the British Horseracing Authority. She represents and advises in investigations and proceedings and has written on safeguarding policies and implementation in sporting contexts. She has acted on behalf of individuals as well as sports organisations in cases of non-recent abuse and recent harassment claims, including before the National Safeguarding Panel, in the High Court and employment tribunal

To find out more about the topics and views discussed please contact Sarah.

Louis Weston was a speaker in the session discussing the future of integrity functions ‘What is the future of sports integrity functions?’. The speakers considered the work in this area by the United Nations and the volume of source material available, and the disconnect between that effort and the legislative picture in England.  Louis’ involvement followed on from well received talk to the BASL/De Montfort PGCert group.

Louis has specialised in Sports Law for over 12 years, he has appeared in many of the leading cases in the UK involving corruption in sport and has acted for and advised national and international sports regulatory bodies in the UK, Ireland, the Middle East and Asia across a range of sports including Horseracing, Snooker, Badminton, Darts, Cricket, Greyhound Racing, and Rugby.

He has represented governing bodies and athletes both before Disciplinary Tribunals in UK, Switzerland and the far East, the CAS and the Courts (High Court and Court of Appeal). He is also a member of the ICC’s Independent Oversight Group of the ICC’s anti-corruption unit, the FA’s Judicial Panel and Sports Resolutions’ and Sport Disputes Ireland’s arbitral panel and its pro-bono group. He is also a member of Lawinsport’s editorial board and writes and speaks on sports corruption issues.

To discuss this subject in more detail please contact Louis.

James Counsell QC is a specialist barrister in safeguarding in the sporting context.  He joined ‘Safeguarding – new approaches and lessons from recent developments’, an interactive panel of experts which included Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. They discussed where we are in the UK and globally in terms of protecting the young and vulnerable from all forms of abuse in sport, new approaches and what lessons can be learned from recent developments.

He has a particular focus on civil actions arising from failures of safeguarding in football and other sports. James’s expertise in safeguarding claims has led him to act for claimants in very many historical sex abuse claims against, amongst others, religious organisations, schools, the scouts.

In view of its importance to the public, this panel discussion was recorded and is free to watch:

Find out more

The OTC Sports Law Group is growing rapidly, with the recent addition of leading international practitioner Anthony Lo Surdo SC and former Tri-Athlete David Haines. Anthony and David will add even further depth to our reputation in the national and international directories for sports disputes. The group represents and advises governing bodies and players in Rugby, Horseracing, Badminton, Greyhound Racing, Athletics, Football, Cricket and other sports. We have leading experts in equestrian accidents and claims. Members act as panel members in sports arbitrations and enquiries.

Find out more about Outer Temple’s Sports Law practice here.

Legal Blog & Publications, News, Sports 30 Nov, 2020