BASL

PG Cert at Leeds Beckett University Latest In-Person Weekend

The final modules of the PG Cert at Carnegie School Of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, with BASL got underway on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April, with Michele Verroken delivering the first part of Option 1 of the final Module, Integrity in Sport module, whilst Richard Barnes delivered the first part of the second option, Sports Participants and the Courts module. Course leader, BASL Vice-Chair Genevieve Gordon-Thomson, was there as the Course Leader.

Integrity in International Sport Module with Michele Verroken
Day 1 - International Systems of Sports Governance covered the Olympic Movement model, autonomy of Sport, the challenges to the traditional hierarchy/pyramid model of sports organisations, European Sports System and EU law influence, the North American sports model, international sports laws, legal and regulatory aspects of governance, international governance organisations, governance codes and standards and rounded of the day with international federations integrity units.
Day 2 - Major Integrity Threats in International Sport covered doping and anti-doping, The World Anti-Doping Agency and Program, WADA Code 2021 and 2027 WADA Code Standards, key provisions of the code and code changes for 2027 and rounding off the day with the Athletes' Anti-Doping Rights Act

Sports Participant and the Courts with Richard Barnes
Day 1 - Criminal Liability in Sport covered the application of criminal law to sports, public order offences, participant violence, and, to complete the day's teaching, defences.
Day 2 - Civil Liability in Sport covered trespass to the person, negligence and duty of care to sports participants, defences, and, to round off the day, vicarious liability.

The teaching team and students had a great couple of days, and the weekend concluded with the students coming together and, in two groups, competing in a moot-style exercise. Integrity Under Pressure: Anti Doping, Criminality & the Enhanced Games, with the brief “The Enhanced Games” is announced as a commercially backed international event where performance-enhancing substances are permitted under medical supervision. The event will be hosted across multiple jurisdictions. Sponsors, broadcasters, and athletes are expressing interest. Governments and anti doping bodies are alarmed.

To find out more about the course, please visit https://www.britishsportslaw.com/pg-cert

We are looking forward to welcoming delegates this Thursday to the 31st BASL Annual Conference

⏱️ This Thursday, 26th of February 2026, at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London
For directions: https://www.royalautomobileclub.co.uk/about-the-club/directions-and-contacts/
⏱️ Registration starts at 9 am with the first panel starting at 10 am.

We look forward to welcoming delegates from UK Sport, Charles Russell Speechlys, Shepherd and Wedderburn, Ankura, Abel & Iray, 4 New Square Chambers, BCL Solicitors LLP, Northridge, Addleshaw Goddard, Blackstone Chambers, TWR Law, British Horseracing Authority, The FA, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, Kinglsey Napley, University of Law, Sporting Integrity, Wiggin, beIN, Rainmore Law, Farrar's Building, Bird & Bird, UCFB, Fieldfisher, Clarke Willmott, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, plus an Olympian!

Panel 1 – Integrity in Sport: Experts and Complications moderated by Louis Weston, Outer Temple Chambers, with Tom Chignell, Betting Integrity Expert, Aja Hall, Co-Director of Integrity, Regulation and Safeguarding, British Horseracing Authority, Julia Lowis, Senior Legal Counsel, The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and Kendrah Potts, 4 New Square Chambers.

Panel 2 –Social Media: Protection and Potential for Athletes moderated by Kate Hamer, Kate Hamer Ltd, with Matt Himsworth, Co-founder of B5 Consultancy, Tim Edwards, Global Athlete Partnerships Lead, TikTok and Helen Ward of Women’s Football, Watford FC Women.

Keynote Speech – Stacey Copeland

Panel 3 – Sporting Investigations moderated by Dr Katie Smith Squire Patton Boggs, with Wayne Barnes, Squire Patton Boggs, Christopher Quinlan KC, Farrar's Building and Alexandra Felix KC, QEB Hollis Whiteman.

Panel 4 – General Counsel moderated by Caroline McGrory, Cadillac Formula 1® Team, with Kate Beavan, New Quebec Advisory Ltd, Louise Savage, LIV Golf, Michael Crichton, General Counsel at Formula E, Angela McCracken, Head of Legal, Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 and Nick Anderton, General Counsel at Castore Group.

👇Click on the link below to book a ticket to join the discussions and network with peers at this event👇

BOOK HERE:https://www.britishsportslaw.com/_files/ugd/d630cb_d782cea5204747c1ab4ebb047ac6882b.pdf

For more details: https://www.britishsportslaw.com/basl-annual-conference-2026

📢 BASL Annual Conference - Speaker Announcement – General Counsel📢

We are delighted to announce that Michael Crichton, General Counsel at Formula E and Angela McCracken, Head of Legal at Glasgow 2026 will be joining us as speakers for Panel 4 - General Counsel, with Kate Beavan, Louise Savage and panel moderator Caroline McGrory, at the 31st BASL Annual Conference, which is just a few weeks away. One final speaker for this panel will be announced later this week.

About Michael
Michael Crichton joined Formula E as Legal Director (Commercial) in 2020. He was promoted to General Counsel in 2025 with overall responsibility for the legal function, including legal and contractual matters around sponsorship, media, licensing, team participation, the FIA, global procurement and host cities. Prior to joining Formula E he spent several years as Legal Director of NIO UK, the UK subsidiary of the Chinese electric car manufacturer, which at the time also owned and operated a team competing in the FIA Formula E World Championship. Michael moved to London in 2007 from Melbourne, where he joined the corporate department of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. During his time at Freshfields, he was seconded to the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, where he supported the commercial team on sponsorship and licensing matters.

About Angela
Angela McCracken is Head of Legal at Glasgow 2026 (the Organising Company of the 2026 Commonwealth Games), with responsibility for setting and leading the legal strategy for the delivery of a major international sporting event. She joined Glasgow 2026 following a senior legal career in sport, having spent over nine years at Scottish Rugby, where she held senior leadership roles advising at board and executive level on sports governance, commercial delivery and brand protection. Across her career, Angela has overseen the strategic management of intellectual property, including the development, protection and commercial exploitation of sporting and event brands, sponsorship rights and content, working in close partnership with marketing and commercial teams to enable growth while managing legal and reputational risk.

👇 Click on the link below to book a ticket to come and hear Michael and Angela speak. 👇

BOOK HERE:https://www.britishsportslaw.com/_files/ugd/d630cb_d782cea5204747c1ab4ebb047ac6882b.pdf

⏱️This event is on the 26th of February 2026, and will be held at the Royal Automobile Club
Check out the lineup of speakers: https://www.britishsportslaw.com/basl-annual-conference-2026