Leisure and sport

Experience

Insights

Contacts

Leisure and sport
- Sports disputes

The leisure industry is one of the largest sectors of the world economy and its challenges are far-reaching and diverse. We help businesses in this important sector to thrive in the complex and rapidly changing regulatory landscape.

The need to meet customer expectations in a thriving digital environment and remain competitive is leading many clients to change their business models and adopt technology-driven solutions. In particular the travel, hotel and gaming industries are increasingly undertaking innovative transactions to keep pace with the connected customer.

We work with household names from travel operators, airlines, health clubs, hotels, attractions and cinemas to provide cross-border, full-service legal advice. Within the gaming and lotteries industry our in-depth product knowledge means we are well-placed to advise on interactive betting, pooling and co-mingling arrangements.

We also work with international sporting bodies, corporations, sports clubs and individual sports personalities to advise on sports disputes. We advise on regulatory and disciplinary issues, exploitation of broadcasting and other rights, contractual issues, sponsorships, acquisitions, disposals and restructurings of sports governing bodies and other sports-related entities.

Experience

A leading global hotel management company

Successfully representing a leading global hotel management company in an ICC arbitration against an Owner – securing full recovery of unpaid fees / expenses, dismissal of mismanagement counterclaims and a substantial costs award. The complex arbitration also included a successful application for interim relief relating to owner interference with the management of the Hotel.

A luxury hotel chain

Represented a luxury hotel chain in relation to force majeure clauses and early termination clauses with respect to the hotel management agreement, following a water leakage at one of their hotels in Asia.

A multinational hospitality company

Represented a multinational hospitality company in disputes with a Thai hotel owner related to unpaid management and other fees (SIAC arbitration in Singapore, Singapore law and related Thai litigation).

A renowned international hotel management company

Represented a renowned international hotel management company in disputes against the owner of the property in relation to a premium hotel located in Mainland China (two ad hoc arbitrations (UNCITRAL Rules), PRC law).

A leading global hotel chain

Advising a leading global hotel chain in a DIFC-LCIA arbitration against an Owner arising out of disputes regarding non-payment of fees and alleged mismanagement. The arbitration included a number of complex issues regarding hotel management and applications for interim relief and partial summary judgment.

TUI Travel

Advising on its £400 million convertible bond offering and £350 million bond offering listed on the London Stock Exchange

Key contacts

Sarah Kenny

Consultant, Sydney

Alan Watts

Partner, Head of Class Actions, UK and EMEA, London

Meet the whole team

Experience