Sport Governance Conference
In Partnership with the Legal Panel Framework
Cynhadledd Llywodraethu
Chwaraeon
Mewn Partneriaeth â’r Fframwaith Panel Cyfreithiol
Keynote
Justin Harris
Dolmans Solicitors / Cyfreithwyr Dolmans
Justin Harris
Managing Partner
Monday 28th October 2013
Cardiff City Stadium
Legal Panel Framework (LPF)
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A collaboration by Sport England, Sport and Recreation Alliance,
Sport Wales and UK Sport
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Aim – to establish a panel of law firms to advise National Governing
Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Recreation organisations
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Over 100 firms across the UK applied
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30 firms invited to tender
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10 firms selected
The Vision
Tim Lamb, Chief Executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, said:
“The Legal Panel Framework demonstrates the benefits that can be
achieved through collaboration, and we are looking forward to working
with UK Sport, Sport England and Sport Wales as well as some of the
best legal firms in the sector to deliver these benefits. Sport and
recreation bodies are very aware of the complex legal environment in
which they operate and there is a real need for them to know which legal
firms to turn to and for what issues, in order to get advice and support at
a reasonable cost.”
Criteria for Selection
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During the selection process firms were assessed on their:
a) level of understanding of the sport and recreation sector
b) legal ability and capacity
c) ability to offer discounted rates/fixed fees/added value to the sector
Expertise
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Administrative and Public Law
Bidding and Staging Major Events
Charity and Trust Law
Child Protection/Vulnerable Groups
Contract/Grant Agreements
Corporate Law
Corporate Governance and Constitution
Commercial Law
Data Protection/Privacy Law
Employment Law
Expertise (cont’d)
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Equality and Diversity Law
Competition Law
Intellectual Property Law
Insolvency Law
Immigration Law
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
New media/IT/Broadcasting
Property, Planning and Construction Law
Publishing and Media Law
Regulatory and Disciplinary Law
Instructing legal panel firms
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S+RA, Sport England, UK Sport, Sport Wales and legal panel firms
have collaborated to produce guidance, available at:
http://www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/smart-sport/instructing-legalpanel-firms
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a) how to assess whether or not you need a lawyer to help with an issue
b) what basic information should be provided to your lawyer at the outset
to ensure that a bespoke and direct advice can be provided
c) the questions you should ask your lawyer to ensure that you are clear
on their process and costs
d) what you can expect from your lawyer
20-minute free helpline
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Each of the panel firms have also committed to providing a free 20minute helpline service to sport and recreation organisations
The helpline applies to new queries/matters only
If you have contacted another firm on the same query please let the
lawyer know
Check if the firm covers the area of law that you require assistance
on before contacting them
Details on how to use the helpline can be found at:
http://www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/smart-sport/free-20-minutehelpline
Pro-bono fund
Each LPF firm has agreed to provide up to £5,000 worth of free legal advice
per year to small NGBs and sport and recreation organisations to assist in the
following areas of law:
• Charity & Trust Law including CASC registration
• Child Protection/Vulnerable Groups (CRB, Protection of Freedoms Act)
• Simple Contracts/Grant Agreements
• Corporate Law/Governance/Constitutional Affairs
• Employment Law
• Insolvency Law
• Property Law (such as leases, licences and security of tenure)
Note: The pro-bono fund does not apply to disputes or contentious matters
Pro-bono fund (cont’d)
Eligibility requirements:
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Turnover of less than £500,000 (inclusive of grant income)
Must have no budget set aside for legal expenses
Must have no paid legal staff
Must be a member of the Sport and Recreation Alliance and/or be
funded by UK Sport, Sport England or Sport Wales
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See http://www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/smart-sport/pro-bonofund for details on how to apply
Added Value
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Quarterly newsletter
http://www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/programmes-initiatives/legalpanel-framework/newsletter
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LPF annual conference and firm workshops and events (run
independently by legal panel firms)
http://www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/programmes-initiatives/legalpanel-framework/events
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
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The KPIs are a qualitative measure of the delivery of advisory and
ancillary services to the NGBs
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Panel firms are expected to deliver high quality advice and services
to the NGBs and must demonstrate that it has met the KPI
requirements throughout that delivery
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The process seeks to ensure that there is sufficient due diligence of
each firm’s performance throughout their appointment to the LPF
KPIs (cont’d)
KPI requirements: Delivery of advice;
 Pricing;
 Relationship Building;
 Review Process.
Further information
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S+RA website http://www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/projectsprogrammes-and-initiatives/legalpanel
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Contact the S+RA governance team
[email protected]
Thank you
Justin Harris
Managing Partner
[email protected]
Dolmans Solicitors
One Kingsway
Cardiff CF10 3DS
Tel: 029 2034 5531
www.dolmans.co.uk