UCC Launches Sports Law Clinic
Official Launch of UCC Sports Law Clinic
Pharmacy Building UCC
Wed November 23rd 2016
Students from the UCC Sports Law Clinic, with Dr. Aisling Parkes (standing, on right) and Dr Seán Ó Conaill (standing, back row, on left), at the Sports Law Clinic launch, where the FAI Cup was on display.
Dr. Aisling Parkes is a member of Togher AC
Clinic Launch
UCC Sports Law Clinic was launched last night, at a special function in UCC. The Keynote Speaker, International Hockey player, Cliodhna Sergent outlined some of her experiences and how sports law might impact on such experiences. Pat Lyons, from Cork City FC, outlined how the Sports Clinic had helped significantly in drafting policies and procedures for the club.
Among those at the launch were representatives and members from several Cork Athletics member clubs, along with Cork Athletics County Board Representatives.
Invitation
The Sports Law Clinic welcomes invitations to provide information from any individual, club or entity.
Aims of the Sports Law Clinic
The aims of the Sports Law Clinic are:
- To improve both the breadth and quality of information available on matters of law in the field of sport on a pro-bono basis
- To promote the making of adequate preparations by sporting clubs in legal matters as relating to the running of a club
- To provide students with practical experience of sports law and the running of a legal clinic.
Students manning the Sports Law Clinic will work on specific sports-related legal issues such as doping, governance, and disciplinary proceedings in a wide range of sports including rugby, athletics, soccer, GAA and boxing.
In particular, this module will address legal standards and professional ethics and will help raise awareness about minimum standards of regulation in the sports field. Students will work on actual cases and policy initiatives, and will benefit from guest seminars from a range of perspectives and disciplines.
First of its Kind in the World
UCC Sports Law Clinic is the first of its kind in the world. It is an undergraduate student-led law clinic, which provides free legal information and direction to individuals and organisations on many sports-related matters. The Clinic will not only provide a much-needed pro bono (free) service of a confidential nature, both within UCC and the wider community, but it will also equip UCC Law students with unprecedented skills and experience by working directly with sports clients. The Clinic will investigate issues which may involve a consideration of legal standards and professional ethics, and it will host much needed information sessions aimed at raising awareness about minimum standards of regulation in the sports field.
The Clinic operates under the direct supervision of the Co-directors, Dr Aisling Parkes and Dr Seán Ó Conaill, lecturers based in the School of Law, UCC.
Relevant Links:
Twitter - @SportsLawUCC
Facebook - UCC Sports Law Clinic @uccsportslawclinic
Website - https://sportslawclinic.wordpress.com/
