Sports Law

We act for clients from around the world and understand the sports industry from both a legal and a commercial perspective

Our multi-disciplinary Sports Team is made up of a dedicated team of highly skilled contentious and non-contentious lawyers.

Our strength lies in the fact that we understand the sports industry from both a legal and a commercial perspective. Our Team includes lead lawyers who are not only passionate about sport, but are also sportspeople themselves; Partner Aaron Payas – a footballer who has played at an international level for Gibraltar (which is a member of FIFA and UEFA) and Ian Felice – Vice-President of the Gibraltar national basketball federation, member of FIBA Europe’s Legal Commission and a FIBA international basketball referee for 8 years, officiating in 5 European Nations finals.

Our knowledge and understanding of this sector allow us to give the best possible advice to our clients, which include governing bodies, sports rights owners, sponsors, teams, individual sports personalities and intermediaries and player associations.

The team is supported by specialists from across the firm who have significant experience in areas such as immigration, employment, brand protection, real estate, financial services and tax, as well as by our affiliated fiduciary services company, Line Group, through which we provide a holistic service to our clients comprising of trust, foundation and company incorporation and management, wealth management, unique investment opportunities, philanthropy, concierge services, estate & succession planning, and accounting & reporting services.

Relevant work that the firm has recently been involved in includes:

The firm is the lead adviser to the Gibraltar Football Association (GFA), and has advised it on a wide range of legal matters, including corporate governance, protection of intellectual property, sponsorships, employment matters, and its purchase of the Victoria Stadium in 2019.
Chairing the Disciplinary Panels for the GFA, the Gibraltar Basketball Association and the Gibraltar Hockey Association.
Advising Gibraltar national team football players on contractual issues arising from their engagement with foreign clubs.
Advising in the set-up of the Gibraltar Football League Association and the Gibraltar Football Players’ Association.
Advising sports intermediaries on corporate and tax structuring of their business operations.

E-sports

With a reputation for being highly active in the development of new industries in Gibraltar, the firm is also actively involved in the promotion of Gibraltar as a e-sports jurisdiction, advising professional esports players, streamers and content creators on a wide range of matters and were instrumental in establishing the Gibraltar Esports and Video Gaming Association (GEVGA).