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Michael Simkins LLP acted for Premier Rugby, its long standing client, in a successful attempt to recover monies owed to three leading rugby clubs for their players' participation in the last British & Irish Lions tour. This action, which was effectively settled out of court a week before trial by the RFU's payment over of all of the Lions monies that they had withheld, had triggered an attempt by the RFU to bring down the long term joint venture governing the elite level of the sport in this country. That attempt has now also been abandoned. Both actions were initiated in the autumn and were the subject of successful applications for speedy trial by Premier Rugby.
Stephen Hornsby, who, assisted by Chris Synnott and Parisa Wright and advised by Nick Parfitt of 11 Stone Buildings, conducted the action for Premier Rugby, said "It is often said that disputes within the sporting family should be settled in private behind closed doors. Whilst High Court litigation is expensive, the procedures are tried and tested and the threat of the transparency of proceedings in open court under an aggressive timetable can prove salutary. As a last resort, High Court litigation can therefore play a very positive role in sports governance which can only ultimately assist a new professional sport such as professional club rugby. This is the second successful outcome we have achieved against different rugby governing bodies in recent years on behalf of clubs; such cases are indicative of teething problems but happily the sport is thriving".
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The firm provides a highly acclaimed e-bulletin service “early warnings” covering developments in its specialist industry sectors, full details of which can be found at www.simkins.co.uk/ebulletins/default.aspx
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