Birch Hill Chambers - Global Representation in Sports Matters

 

  At Birch Hill Chambers, our advocates are trusted by elite athletes, coaches, clubs, leagues, federations, agents, and sponsors from around the world. We provide high-level representation across the full spectrum of sports  disputes—both domestic and international. From grievance proceedings and contract disputes to anti-doping violations and ethics investigations, our work is defined by discretion, precision, and an unrelenting commitment to defending our clients’ reputations and rights.

​

Our Areas Include:

​

• Disciplinary Proceedings: Representing athletes and personnel accused of misconduct, including match-fixing, gambling violations, code of conduct breaches, and on- or off-field incidents.

• Anti-Doping Violations: Defending athletes facing sanctions for alleged violations of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Code provisions, including prohibited substances, whereabouts failures, and tampering.

• Contractual Disputes: Advocacy in cases involving salary disputes, wrongful termination, player transfers, image rights, and endorsement contracts.

• Selection and Eligibility Challenges: Assisting athletes excluded from competition rosters, Olympic trials, or qualification events due to alleged eligibility or procedural breaches.

• Governance & Ethics Inquiries: Representation before ethics panels and commissions investigating abuse, harassment, conflict of interest, or corruption within sporting organizations.

• Arbitration & Mediation: Handling arbitration proceedings under various international rules (including CAS Code, Swiss Rules, ICC, and ad hoc tribunals) and negotiating resolutions when appropriate.

 

Global Jurisdictional Experience

 

  We rmay appear before international courts and sports-specific arbitral tribunals, defending and prosecuting claims across all levels of sport, including Olympic, Paralympic, collegiate, and professional competition.

 

Key forums include, but are not limited to:

Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS / CAS)

 

  Based in Lausanne, Switzerland, CAS is the leading international forum for resolving sports disputes. We represent clients in both ordinary and appeals arbitration, including urgent provisional measures and ad hoc Olympic division hearings.

International Federations (IFs)

 

  We may appear in across a wide array of IFs, navigating the nuances of their internal regulations, codes of ethics, and disciplinary panels:

​

• AIBA – International Boxing Association: Athlete suspensions, judging irregularities, Olympic qualification disputes

• BWF – Badminton World Federation: Integrity unit proceedings, match manipulation hearings

• CMAS – World Underwater Federation: Disputes related to underwater sports standards and competition results

• FIP – Federation of International Polo: Selection controversies, amateur status reviews

• FISA / World Rowing: Eligibility appeals, doping violations, and equipment disputes

• FEI – International Equestrian Federation: Horse welfare cases, medication violations, classification appeals

• FIBA – International Basketball Federation: Cross-border transfer disputes, contract enforcement

• FIDE – World Chess Federation: Cheating allegations, code of conduct enforcement, disciplinary actions

• FIE – International Fencing Federation: Bout result challenges, procedural appeals

• FIFA – International Football Federation (Soccer): Transfer bans, third-party ownership disputes, player-agent litigation

• FIG – International Gymnastics Federation: Age eligibility and score protest cases

• FIH – International Hockey Federation: Technical breaches, sanction appeals

• FIL – International Luge Federation: Qualification protests, equipment irregularities

• FINA – International Swimming Federation (now World Aquatics): Doping, transgender participation, and rule violations

• IBSF – International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation: Selection disputes, safety violations

• IGF – International Golf Federation: Olympic qualification and anti-doping

• IOC – International Olympic Committee: Eligibility, athlete entry, and ethics panel litigation

• ISSF – International Shooting Sport Federation: Equipment legality and doping charges

• ITF – International Tennis Federation: Code violations, protected ranking misuse, wild card eligibility

• ITU – International Triathlon Union: Disciplinary sanctions and classification issues

• UIM – Union Internationale Motonautique (Powerboating): Protest hearings, rule infractions

• UIPM – International Modern Pentathlon Union: Classification reviews and protest resolution

• UWW – United World Wrestling: Grappling disputes, age-group eligibility

• WA – World Archery Federation: Technical equipment challenges, protest appeals

• WBF – World Bridge Federation: Cheating allegations and procedural fairness issues

• World Rugby: Disciplinary cases, concussion protocol violations, contract enforcement

• World Sailing: Rule 69 misconduct cases, redress hearings, Olympic selection challenges

 

Why Birch Hill Chambers?

​

• Global Reach: We represent clients in proceedings across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania, with multi-lingual advocates experienced in civil and common law systems.

• Multi-disciplinary Expertise: Our advocates are not only trained in international representation but also understand the highly specialized frameworks of sports governance, WADA compliance, and arbitration law.

• Reputation Management: In tandem with litigation matters, we advise on media strategy, privacy rights, and commercial damage control when reputational stakes are high.

• Rapid Response Team: For urgent injunctions, provisional suspensions, and Olympic qualification appeals, our team is prepared to act within hours.

 

At Birch Hill Chambers, we don’t just know sports — we help shape it.
 

  Whether you're a rising amateur or a seasoned world champion, a local club or a global federation, we stand ready to advocate on your behalf with skill, discretion, and unwavering commitment.