Harper Macleod LLP’s sports practice is well-established in the Scottish market. The team is regularly instructed by sports clubs, regulatory entities, international sporting events organisers and investors in a wide range of matters. Practice head Bruce Caldow is a highly regarded practitioner in the sports arena, while Tom Thomas and Jamie Watt act on broadcasting, sponsorship and IP-related cases. Lorne Crerar specialises in disciplinary work, and Andrew Maxwell acts for governing bodies in a range of contentious and non-contentious sports matters. Carolyn Morgan left the firm in July 2024.

With a solid presence in the world of football, the group at Addleshaw Goddard is well known for assisting high-profile football clubs and sports event organisers with a broad range of commercial, employment and contentious work. Simon Catto is highly regarded for his litigation expertise, and often acts for sports clubs, regulatory bodies, and individuals in disputes; he co-heads the practice with Helena Brown, who brings extensive experience in assisting football clubs and sporting bodies with commercial and regulatory work. Erin Grieve is active on disciplinary matters.

At Brodies LLP, the sports team is active in a wide range of matters, including contractual and commercial disputes, regulatory issues, merchandising and sponsorship matters, and financial cases. Andy Nolan heads up the practice, and is ably supported by litigation expert Craig Watt. Ross Campbell‘s workload includes regulatory issues, and Ally Burr acts on IP mandates.

Burness Paull LLP has a broad offering across the sports sector, and the team is sought after by large football clubs and sports governing bodies for its strength in handling employment, IP and immigration matters, to name a few. Practice head Stephen Farrell is well versed in handling disputes, while Jamie Kerr focuses on immigration matters. Fraser MacKinven counts commercial sports issues as a core area of strength, and is equally adept at assisting with the media aspects of sports work.

Led by Neeraj Thomas, the group at CMS routinely advises major sports clubs, regulatory bodies and media clients on sports IP matters and regulatory issues in the world of football. Duncan Turner brings experience in handling sponsorship agreements, and Chris Bowie acts on a range of regulatory and commercial work.

Led by Will Cole, the team at BTO Solicitors LLP is well known for handling a wide spectrum of  contentious and non-contentious sports matters. Cole is very experienced in litigation, and the group acts for governing bodies of sports in disputes, however the practice is equally strong in handling regulatory matters, contractual work, employment issues and investments into Scottish sports clubs and venues. David Gibson regularly represents clients in the golf and football worlds in real estate work, and personal injury cases form the backbone of Claire White's practice. Michael Cox and Emma Barclay handle commercial and corporate matters; Laura Salmond and Dawn Robertson are experts in employment law; and Lynn Richmond focuses on intellectual property cases.

The team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts acts for gymnastics, football, and rugby organisations in a wide spectrum of matters, ranging from employment and immigration issues, to compliance matters and commercial contracts. The practice is co-led by data protection expert Valerie Armstrong-Surgenor and Paul Geoghegan, who focuses on governance issues. Iain Young represents sports clubs and sports event organisers in mandates, and Susan O’Farrell assists with sponsorship agreements and IP-related work.

The sports group at Aberdein Considine primarily acts for agents and individuals in contentious and non-contentious contractual issues. Robert Holland focuses on the employment law aspects of sports work, which also forms a key pillar of Nicola Gray‘s practice, while Euan McSherry is active in sports litigation and Ross Webb assists with contractual disputes. Perth-based Charlie Fraser regularly acts for football agents, community clubs, and professional players in mandates. All named practitioners share leadership of the practice.