HCR Law supports sports clients through governance, disputes and estate planning

Our Sports Law team advises sports organisations, governing bodies and athletes across the sector on governance, disputes and long-term personal planning. These case studies highlight the breadth of our work and the practical support we provide to sports clients.

Advising a sports-related charity on achieving charitable status

HCR Law advised a sports-focused organisation working in concussion and brain injury research on securing charitable status, transitioning from a company limited by guarantee to a charitable company.

To support the application, our team completed a complex Charity Commission registration process, managing ongoing correspondence and responding to detailed regulatory queries. We prepared Charity Commission-compliant articles of association, alongside a suite of governance policies covering risk management, conflicts of interest and financial controls. We also advised on the relationship between the charity and its members to ensure appropriate oversight and compliance.

The matter was led by Joseph Hobbins, who advises sports clubs and institutions across the charity and not-for-profit sector, from grassroots organisations through to large, multi-entity sports charities.

Advising a Premier League club on licensing and redevelopment

HCR Law continues to advise a Premier League football club on its premises licensing requirements, supporting the club over several years.

Following significant redevelopment works to the stadium, our team successfully varied the club’s premises licence to reflect changes to the site. Previously, multiple licences were in place across different areas of the stadium. These have now been consolidated into two licences, creating a more streamlined and efficient framework for the club.

The stadium is used not only for football fixtures, but also for concerts and conference events, requiring careful consideration of licensing requirements across a range of activities.

The matter was led by Heath Thomas, who works closely with Kate Oliver as part of our specialist sports team.

Private client advice for elite and professional athletes

HCR Law has advised a number of elite and professional athletes on personal estate planning, succession and tax efficiency.

Our work has included advice on exposure to inheritance tax, UK estate planning options and the use of trusts, alongside the drafting of wills covering worldwide assets and lasting powers of attorney. In other matters, we have advised on the structuring of family estates to support tax-efficient succession, including gifting strategies and the treatment of property assets.

These instructions reflect the increasing complexity of athletes’ personal and financial affairs, particularly where assets and income span multiple jurisdictions.

The matters were led by David King, who heads up our Private Client team in London and advises athletes throughout their careers and into retirement, protecting wealth and supporting long-term objectives beyond sport.