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If you're a sports educational institution or a sporting charity, we understand that your mission is driven by a passion for sports and a commitment to making a positive impact.

Ward Hadaway specialises in providing tailored legal support to organisations like yours within the sports sector. We are dedicated to helping you navigate the complex legal landscape with precision, ensuring you can focus on achieving for those who benefit you’re your valuable work.

We have a wealth of experience and advising numerous clients on all legal matters from construction, contract negotiation and drafting to dispute resolution, regulatory compliance and safeguarding.

Contact us today to discuss your specific needs and how we can help you overcome legal challenges and focus on making a positive impact in the world of sports.

Work we have done
  • Acting for the Foundation of Light regarding the design and construction of the Beacon of Light, a £19m sports, community and education facility in Sunderland which included advising, drafting and negotiating all the construction documentation.
  • Acting for Northumbria University regarding the design and construction of a new £25m city centre sports facility including drafting and negotiating all the construction documentation.
  • Drafting child protection and safeguarding policies for multiple household name charities.

Contact a specialist

Ian McCombie

Partner | Commercial Litigation

+44 (0) 330 137 3316

+44 (0)7720 295 270

Email Ian McCombie

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Paul Scope

Partner | Employment

+44 (0) 330 137 3167

+44 (0)754 055 6295

Email Paul Scope

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Matthew Cormack

Partner | Commercial

+44 (0) 330 137 3412

+44 (0)773 846 2586

Email Matthew Cormack

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Phil Edmondson

Managing Associate | Commercial Litigation

+44 (0) 330 137 3330

+44 (0) 789 498 7648

Email Phil

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What people say

  • Phil was recommended to us when we had issues with a sports body. He was very clear, personable and knowledgeable about a range of issues. Phil always presented a variety of options and the potential effect - this enabled us to have an idea of costs and exactly which actions to take. We felt he cared about us as clients and was both realistic and reassuring throughout.

    Lisa Houghton-Smith (Muay Thai Double World Champion) and Richard Smith (European Champion and coach to 10 world champions). Bad Company Gym.
  • Having served as an active Non-Executive Director of British Weightlifting since July 2020, I have found Phil to be an integral part of the leadership team through his invaluable legal counsel on commercial and sports litigation and sports regulations. Phil prides himself on his attention to detail and his overall professionalism. At the same time, his ethics are beyond reproach.

    Matthew Curtain, Chief Executive Officer, British Weightlifting
  • Phil has helped us and Leeds United for several years, with issues large and small. He is really passionate about his work and this shines through in how he cares for our interests and his strategic guidance. Phil just gets what is needed for players and Clubs in the difficult world of football.

    Kalvin Phillips, Midfielder for Manchester City & England
  • I had the opportunity to work with Phil on a novel issue involving claims among professional sports teams. As an owner of one of the teams and a long-term litigator in the US, I really appreciated his ability to understand the goals, identify the issues, and work together to develop a successful plan that produced an excellent result for my company. While I hope to have no further sports litigation issues, if I do, Phil will be my first call.

    Rob Couhig, Chairman, Wycombe Wanderers Football Club

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