Sport and Recreation Alliance, Sport England, UK Sport, Sport Wales and Sport Northern Ireland to administer pro-bono legal service across England, Wales and Northern Ireland

A refresh of the Legal Panel Framework for the sport and recreation sector has made £75,000 worth of legal services available to sport and recreation organisations each year over the course of the two-year contract. Each of the 15 law firms appointed to the Framework will provide up to £5,000 of pro bono support per year.

The Framework will provide organisations with a turnover of less than £500,000 per annum the opportunity to access trusted legal advice and services from the appointed law firms on a pro bono basis. In addition, it will provide all organisations across the sector with a database of trusted legal firms with expertise in sport and recreation.

The Sport and Recreation Alliance, Sport England, UK Sport and Sport Wales created the Framework in 2013 and the refresh this year sees Sport Northern Ireland join the programme, making the service available to organisations in Northern Ireland for the first time.

Emma Boggis, Chief Executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance said: “Trusted legal advice is incredibly valuable and we want the Framework to be a useful tool for all organisations in the sector.

“The commitment from the firms to provide pro bono advice will make a real difference to smaller organisations in dealing with legal issues that may arise and, who, despite less resources, share the same commitment to implementing good governance.

“We are particularly pleased that Sport Northern Ireland are now involved so the Framework can be of wider benefit than before.”

Patrick Brown, Managing Partner at Tughans said: “Tughans is delighted to be part of the panel delivering expert legal services to Sport Northern Ireland’s participating bodies.

It is an exciting time for sport in Northern Ireland, with the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the British Open, and the bid to host the men’s Rugby World Cup.

Sport, in all forms, is extremely important to the local economy and communities. Our focus is to support staff and volunteers to strengthen the sector, and enable ongoing growth and development.”

Organisations wishing to access the free assistance in the areas of law specified by the Legal Panel Framework and which meet the eligibility criteria are simply asked to complete an application form.

For more information on how to apply and how the fund works please visit the Sport and Recreation Alliance website.

For further information please contact Thea Rogerson, Press Officer at the Sport and Recreation Alliance on 0207 976 3933 / trogerson@sportandrecreation.org.uk