Sports

SPORTS & MARYLEBONE CRICKET CLUB

He has gained a considerable amount of experience in the development of sporting venues. These have included Lord’s (Vision for Lord’s), the Oval, Wembley Stadium, Twickenham, Old Trafford (cricket and football), Emirates Stadium, Millennium Stadium, Melbourne Cricket Ground and other venues throughout the world.

As Chairman of the MCC Development Committee (2008-2011) he chaired what has been described as, “one of the most distinguished sporting committees ever set up” (The Times). It included (amongst others) Sir John Major, Lord Grabiner QC, Sir Michael Jenkins, Lord Justice Scott Baker and Mike Atherton.

He is a specialist in sports, media, entertainment, competition and intellectual property Law.

Since 2007 he has been Chairman of the Laws Sub Committee of the MCC (responsible for the gov
ernance of the Laws of Cricket worldwide). He has a considerable insight into the rule making and regulatory framework of an extensive number of sports including rugby, golf, boxing and athletics. He is familiar with anti-doping and corruption regulations and has advised on their content, application and effect

From 1998 – 2000 he acted as Chairman of the Test Match Ground Consortium which was created in order to negotiate staging agreements between the Test Match Grounds and the governing body of cricket (ECB). The resulting formal agreements thereafter formed the basis of the commercial relationship between the governing body and the Test Match Grounds. This was an historic event in the administration of Cricket in England and Wales.

Furthermore, he has practical experience in negotiating and “bundling” of broadcasting and internet rights. He was formerly Chairman of the ECB internet working party. During the “Packer revolution” he was retained by Kerry Packer in relation to a number of commercial transactions involving the acquisition of media rights for cricket.

He has represented sportsmen before disciplinary bodies and advised on their contractual terms.

Over the years his clients have included; Muhammad Ali, the Sultan of Brunei, Kerry Packer, Bucks Fizz, The Who, Manchester United, Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Millennium Stadium, Brighton FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.

CASES 

• Derwent Holdings v Trafford BC, Tesco Superstores Ltd and Lancashire CCC [2011] EWCA Civ 832 (Challenge to grant of planning permission to Lancashire CCC and Tesco — represented Lancashire) 2011 Court of Appeal )

• Lord’s Cricket Ground (major redevelopment of Lord’s — Chairman of the Development Committee 2008-11)

• Darrell Hair v International Cricket Council (2007) (race discrimination and ball tampering)

• Surrey County Cricket Club and Aurora Hotels (2008-09) (new development in proximity to gasometers at the Oval Cricket Ground)

15 December 2006

As everyone knows, the umpire’s decision is final. Isn’t it? Given the furore at The Oval, the question merits further analysis. The distinction between the operational rules of sport and he discipline of players – blurred during this affair – is one that lawyers may highlight or exploit but which sports bodies and competitors ignore at their peril.

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FAIR PLAY, CRICKET AND THE LAW

Robert Griffiths QC

22 October 2013

As a young man I played sport. I now practise law. There is a connection. The play element in sport is obvious. It is less so in law. Few things would seem to be further apart than the domain of jurisprudence and play.

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SPORTS AND LAW SYMPOSIUM TUESDAY 22ND OCTOBER 2013

Robert Griffiths is a practising barrister, a Middle Temple Bencher and joint Head of Chambers at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square. He is a commercial planning and public law practitioner who has appeared in a number of high profile matters involving sports. His cases have included representing Muhammad Ali, Kerry Packer, Darrell Hair, Surrey County Cricket Club, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. He has been a member of the MCC Committee for more than 10 years and is currently a member of the Main Committee and Chairman of the Laws Sub-Committee. He was formerly Chairman of the MCC Development Committee and Chairman of he Test Match Grounds Consortium. He is a Trustee of the Lord’s Taverners and Vice President of Crawshay’s Welsh RFC. As a schoolboy he represented the Welsh Secondary School at both cricket and rugby. Prior to pursuing a career at the Bar he played University and Country Cricket, and club Rugby.