A top regulatory law firm is carving out a niche in advising professional rugby players caught up in sports tribunals.
Neal Boland and Sean Joyce, Partners at Stephensons Solicitors LLP, have both advised professional rugby players at Wigan Warriors RLFC who have been brought before the Rugby Football League’s disciplinary committee. As the team’s preferred legal advisors, earlier this year, Sean Joyce advised prop forward Jeff Lima, who had been called to a disciplinary hearing.
Most recently, Neal Boland gave legal advice to Harrison Hansen, who was charged with a Grade B offence following a Super League game between the Warriors and Bradford. He was accused of a dangerous tackle following a review of video footage during the game.
Neal’s assistance led to Harrison Hansen, a 25-year-old second-row, being cleared to play for Wigan in the Challenge Cup final against Leeds, in which Wigan was victorious.
Neal, who is head of the firm’s professional discipline and regulation department at Stephensons, said: “We are one of the few law firms with genuine experience in this area of law and are able to advise professional sportsmen and women in relation to all aspects of the regulation of professional sport including both on-field and off field regulatory issues.
“Assisting Harrison Hansen before his hearing with the disciplinary committee was a high pressure situation, since the outcome of the hearing would determine whether he played in his dream final at Wembley. Playing in a Challenge Cup final is after all, something which all rugby players strive towards in their professional careers.
“Thankfully, after hearing the evidence, the committee cleared Harrison and he was able to play an important part in Wigan’s superb victory at Wembley.”
It is not only rugby players which need the assistance of the regulatory and professional discipline solicitors at Stephensons. The team, based at Wigan Investment Centre, also represents a wide range of other professionals who are facing investigations, disciplinary committees and tribunals conducted by a variety of regulatory bodies including the General Medical Council, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and many more.
The firm operates a 24-hour helpline for professionals who require emergency assistance. For advice call on 01616 966 229, alternatively email shm@stephensons.co.uk or visit www.stephensons.co.uk.
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Notes to editors
- Stephensons’ Regulatory and Crime department is recommended by the Legal 500, which says the firm ‘has strength in depth in relation to general crime’.
- The firm has 30 partners and around 350 staff in offices across Greater Manchester and Merseyside.
- For more information, visit www.stephensons.co.uk.