Department profile
Harper Macleod LLP

Sport

UK Guide 2026 : Scotland

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Harper Macleod LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Harper Macleod LLP

The team is recognised as Scotland’s leading sports law practice with experience of representing governing bodies, clubs, organisations and individuals. The firm was Official Legal Advisers to the Glasgow 2018 European Championships and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Our Sports Law team brings together a number of dedicated sports law specialists and recognised market leaders, including Scotland's only Eminent Practitioner in Sports Law, Professor Lorne Crerar CBE FRSE. This team advises leading sporting competitors and organisations on issues arising at local, national and international levels.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Sport - Scotland

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Harper Macleod houses an exceptional group of lawyers who receive regular instructions from the biggest names in Scottish and international sport. The team is trusted to advise on regulatory, disciplinary, contentious and commercial matters, including broadcasting agreements and anti-doping. It handles work for national governing bodies in football, rugby and swimming and acts for organisers, clubs and individuals on prominent sporting events and tournaments in Scotland. It assists with matters affecting sport at all levels, from elite professional competition to grassroots youth and amateur involvement.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Harper Macleod advised on the next iteration of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, supporting Commonwealth Games Scotland and now Glasgow 2026 Ltd with the initial legal requirements for concept creation. It has advised on the host city agreements, as well as brand protection work and securing the necessary trade mark rights, domestically and internationally, for the Glasgow 2026 name and logo.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Professional, knowledgeable, friendly and excellent value for money.

    Sport respondentUK

  • The team provides great knowledge, experience and service. There's a very strong partner with an outstanding reputation in Scotland in sports law and they ensure succession planning is in place.

    Sport respondentUK

  • We're very happy with the service, we have a good relationship with them and get a good level of advice.

    Sport respondentUK

  • Great knowledge of the sporting environment as well as the legal environment. They are very responsive to emails requesting advice and support.

    Sport respondentUK

  • Excellent knowledge of the sporting sector and how legal matters affect things within this specific environment.

    Sport respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Lorne D Crerar
    Lorne D Crerar

    Lorne D Crerar

    Lorne Crerar serves as chair of Harper Macleod and possesses a noteworthy reputation for advising on legal issues arising in rugby. He is held in high esteem for his expertise in disciplinary matters.

    • He was so influential in the early days of our contract, going well beyond the normal levels of service. He provided real added value and clearly believes in the power of sport for societal good.

      Sport respondentUK

    • Imagination and experience across many sectors, excellent connections, and seems to strive for excellence.

      Sport respondentUK
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  • Bruce Caldow
    Bruce Caldow

    Bruce Caldow

    Bruce Caldow is regarded as one of the foremost sports law experts in Scotland, with a number of major sporting organisations calling upon his abilities in both contentious and non-contentious mandates across the UK.

    • Easy to deal with, if I need to phone him or something I can have a really good conversation with him. He's also really knowledgeable in sport, really approachable and easy to deal with,

      Sport respondentUK

    • He is extremely knowledgeable but has the ability to explain things in an appropriate way to a non-legal person. He is always the professional and represents his firm to the highest standard.

      Sport respondentUK

    • Experienced, friendly, knowledgeable.

      Sport respondentUK

    • Bruce makes himself accessible and responds very quickly with expert advice.

      Sport respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Harper Macleod LLP (2)

Scotland

Members

Provided by Harper Macleod LLP

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