Free legal aid for sport extended to Northern Ireland after £150k boost

Smaller sports organisations in Northern Ireland will be able to apply for pro bono legal advice using a new £150,000 fund from the UK’s major sports bodies.

Revisions announced today (25 October) to the Legal Panel Framework mean any organisation operating in the sport and recreation sector with a turnover of less than £500,000 a year can apply to access the funding.

The framework was created in 2013 by the Sport and Recreation Alliance, Sport England, UK Sport and Sport Wales but this is the first time Sport Northern Ireland has been involved, allowing Northern Irish organisations to benefit.

A two-year contract will see 15 law firms provide up to £5,000 pro bono support per year, with the total deal worth £150,000.

Organisations will also be able to access a database of trusted legal firms with expertise in sport and recreation.

“Trusted legal advice is incredibly valuable and we want the framework to be a useful tool for all organisations in the sector,” said Emma Boggis, chief executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

"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 fewer resources, share the same commitment to implementing good governance.”

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.

“Sport 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.”

For more information on the fund visit the Sport and Recreation Alliance website.