We are very excited to this year bring the ever-evolving world of sports law into the Law Friends portfolio, kicking off this new era for us with an introduction to the field from specialist Michael Harwood of 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square, who looks at:

• What is sports law?
• Foundations of sports law
• Sports governance
• The sports disciplinary process
• Sport and ethics
• Current and future trends in sports law

Relevant law

Mutu & Pechstein v Switzerland (ECHR, 4 February 2019)
Modahl v British Athletic Federation Limited (No 2) [2001] EWCA Civ 1447
Flaherty v National Greyhound Racing Club [2005] EWCA Civ 1056
Bradley v The Jockey Club (No.3) [2005] EWCA Civ 1056

Michael specialises predominantly in public, regulatory and sports law, public inquiries, and inquests. Prior to joining 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square, Michael worked as a lawyer at the Government Legal Department, where he undertook a variety of roles as both a litigator and advisory lawyer. His role included a significant posting to HM Treasury advising the department on the development and implementation of financial and counter-terror sanctions, and latterly as a legal advisor to the chair of a major public inquiry, where he is now instructed as Second Junior Counsel.

Michael is active in supporting the profession, in particular the junior Bar. He has been an elected member of Bar Council since 2020 and is the Chair of the Young Bar of England and Wales for 2023. In 2020 he was nominated for ‘Employed Barrister of the Year in the Public Sector’ at the annual Employed Bar Awards.