76002 Sports Law

The law of sport and recreation is a commercial law subject. This is to be expected in an industry that is a major economic driver. Moreover, sport-based disputes seem to have an urgency about them that sees them litigated within a few weeks of a cause of action arising. With the growth of professionalism, the internationalisation of sport, media influence, sporting sponsorship and high profile sporting cases, sport once quarantined from the impact of the law, is now at the forefront.

Any sporting event generates a number of legal concerns, for example: what rights of appeal exist for non-selected athletes; issues concerning doping; to whom does a team doctor owe their duty of care; are athletes illegally exploited by major sporting organisations; when can an athlete be criminally charged for violent acts; do sporting disciplinary tribunals function legally; how should the sporting organisation deal with claims of discrimination; are coaches and clubs legally liable for the actions of their athletes; is it legal to exclude an athlete or member of the public from a sporting venue; when is a referee legally liable in tort.

This subject considers the law as it relates to sport in Australia and several areas of international interest. It is hoped that, where appropriate, a number of guest speakers from the sporting world will present mini-lectures on matters of interest in sport and its relationship with law.