Gateley : hits the back of the net with sports law competition

The annual event, which is held by a different sporting or law company each year, sees both undergraduate and post-graduate law students from across the UK compete against each other to negotiate a commercial solution to a fictitious legal issue within the sports industry.

The competition aims to provide vital experience to the next generation of lawyers, by presenting an opportunity to receive real-time feedback from practicing solicitors and other industry specialists.

Teams from universities across the country, including Birmingham University, Edge Hill, The University of Sheffield and De Montfort, took part in the competition, hosted at Premier League Manchester City's home ground.

Rob Lucas, partner in Commerce, Technology and Media (CTM) said: 'We were pleased to host this year's event and to see so many aspiring lawyers wanting to attend.

'Gateley has an enviable reputation for its expertise in handling some of the biggest deals in sport. Our work includes everything from sponsorship and merchandising agreements, personality rights, property and stadia matters to brand promotion and exploitation, commercial contracts and data protection.

'This was a fantastic opportunity to be able to extend our knowledge and expertise for the benefit of tomorrow's top legal talent.'

Competition winners Tommy Watson and Eve Story, from Northumbria University impressed the judges with their legal understanding and negotiation abilities, with Alex Maguire of Greenwich University taking second place.