An Introduction to Sports Law for Research Students
The time is fast approaching where undergraduate students will be devising their plans for dissertations. These individuals will be seeking inspiration in the subject area they wish to research. This post will examine a unique subject area of law, sports law. To provide a starting point for those interested in this particular topic.[1]
The most challenging task in academic research is knowing where to begin. In the current virtual climate, it is easy to be overwhelmed with the amount of information that is readily available online. To simplify the process. This blog post will provide a brief introduction to sports law. Regarding the research element, the post will discuss some of the resources that are vital to any sports law project.
I hope that this post helps any students who are as passionate about sporting law as myself.
What is Sport Law?
As the growing disputes arise within the sporting arena, the push for legislation to manage such disputes becomes more of a concern for the UK as there is scope for change within this field.[2]
To research the area. It is important to be aware of what sports law is. Sports law is fairly unique. The reason being is that the concept is not as solid as that of medical or human rights law.[3]Instead, sports law is made up of several aspects of law. Including: employment, contract, commercial, competition, public, copyright and delict.[4]
As stated, Sports Law or (Lex Sportiva) is an amalgamation of several areas of law. Sports law is the application of these laws to sports-specific areas. However, this is a growing dispute to the validity of sports law and/or using law to specific sporting matters.[5]This argument alone could be a great area of research!
In short, sports law is the law which manages sport. However, this area is still developing and with the UK there are only a few sport-specific laws. There has been significant growth within the past few years. Making this the perfect project for students wanting to research something different!
Resources
There is a wide pool of resources available to those researchers wishing to expand their knowledge.
Scholars, Textbooks and Journal Articles
Mark James is a professor in sports law at Manchester University. He has published a range of works including an amazing academic textbook.
- His book ‘Sports Law’ was my best friend when writing my dissertation.
- He has also published a range of articles available on WestLaw. Which is a legal database available to most UK law students through their institution log in.
Michael Beloff, QC is an English Barrister who has a vast interest within sporting law. He has published his own academic textbook as well as a range of articles in the British Association for Sport and Law ‘Sport and the Law’ Journal. That is available on:
https://www.britishsportslaw.com
Websites
LawInSport
LawInSport is a website that discusses the leading matters in international sports law matters. The website brings together a range of articles from likeminded legal experts who have focused their work in the sporting area. This resource enables up to date information to be gathered and distributed to those wishing to expand their knowledge. They also have a podcast which has discusses a range of topics, including doping, sanctioning and business development. This podcast is available on the website:-
and on streaming platforms including; Spotify, Sound Cloud and Apple Music
Morgan Sports Law
This is a website for the specialist UK sports law firm. There website provides the latest updates in the sporting arena and is a valuable source for staying up to date with the up and coming disputes within sporting matters.
I hope this blog has provided you with some starting guidance for your sports law project.
Hannah-Jane McLeish
Follow me on Twitter: @hjsportslaw
Bibliography
Simon Boyes, ‘Sports Law: Its History and Growth and the Development of Key Sources’ (2012) 12 (2) Legal Information Management, 86-91
Simon Grossobel, ‘Solicitors Practice Areas: Sports’ ( Law Careers, N.D. ) < https://www.lawcareers.net/Solicitors/SolicitorPracticeAreas/Sports> Accessed 31 August 2020.
Timothy Davis, ‘What is Sports Law? (2001) 11 (2) Marquette Sports Law Review, 211-219
[1]Please note the definitions surrounding the validity of sporting legislation is referring to the legal position of the UK domestic law. However, the resources are relevant to any student wishing to embark on a sports law project. [2]Simon Boyes, ‘Sports Law: Its History and Growth and the Development of Key Sources’ (2012) 12 (2) Legal Information Management, 86-91 [3]Simon Grossobel, ‘Solicitors Practice Areas: Sports’ ( Law Careers, N.D. ) <https://www.lawcareers.net/Solicitors/SolicitorPracticeAreas/Sports> Accessed 31 August 2020. [4]ibid [5]Timothy Davis, ‘What is Sports Law? (2001) 11 (2) Marquette Sports Law Review, 211-219