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A practical alphabet

It’s all to play for as Richard Marshall & Oliver Cooke run through an (almost) A to Z of sports law

Agents

Arguably the most powerful individuals in many sports, other than the players themselves, agents should obtain and maintain the appropriate registrations and licences.

Bosman

This European Court of Justice decision applying Art 45 (freedom of movement for workers) led to a new era of player power in football.

CAS

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rapidly gained profile as arbitration has become the default choice for sports-related disputes. Not all plain sailing—see its recent ruling re female athletes’ testosterone levels.

DRC

The Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) is FIFA’s mechanism for dealing with disputes arising covered by the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

E-sports

Could the next generation of superstar athlete be found sitting behind a desk? Will the rapid growth in fan engagement also lead to increased regulation?

Formula E

The new, green, alternative to Formula 1, allowing manufacturers to keep ahead of potential

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Bellevue Law—Lianne Craig

Bellevue Law—Lianne Craig

Workplace law firm expands commercial disputes team with senior consultant hire

EIP—Rob Barker

EIP—Rob Barker

IP firm promotes patent attorney to partner

Muckle LLP—Ryan Butler

Muckle LLP—Ryan Butler

Banking and restructuring team bolstered by insolvency specialist

NEWS
The Supreme Court has delivered a decisive ruling on termination under the JCT Design & Build form. Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Singer KC and Jonathan Ward, of Kings Chambers, analyse Providence Building Services v Hexagon Housing Association [2026] UKSC 1, which restores the first-instance decision and curbs contractors’ termination rights for repeated late payment
Secondments, disciplinary procedures and appeal chaos all feature in a quartet of recent rulings. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, examines how established principles are being tested in modern disputes
The AI revolution is no longer a distant murmur—it’s at the client’s desk. Writing in NLJ this week, Peter Ambrose, CEO of The Partnership and Legalito, warns that the ‘AI chickens’ have ‘come home to roost’, transforming not just legal practice but the lawyer–client relationship itself
A High Court ruling involving the Longleat estate has exposed the fault line between modern family building and historic trust drafting. Writing in NLJ this week, Charlotte Coyle, director and family law expert at Freeths, examines Cator v Thynn [2026] EWHC 209 (Ch), where trustees sought approval to modernise trusts that retain pre-1970 definitions of ‘child’, ‘grandchild’ and ‘issue’
Fresh proposals to criminalise ‘nudification’ apps, prioritise cyberflashing and non-consensual intimate images, and even ban under-16s from social media have reignited debate over whether the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) is fit for purpose. Writing in NLJ this week, Alexander Brown, head of technology, media and telecommunications, and Alexandra Webster, managing associate, Simmons & Simmons, caution against reactive law-making that could undermine the Act’s ‘risk-based and outcomes-focused’ design
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