Mr Oliver Harland > Northridge Law LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Northridge Law LLP
90 Bartholomew Close
London
EC1A 7BN
England
Oliver Harland photo

Work Department

Litigation and Arbitration, Regulation and Governance

Position

Oliver specialises in litigation and contentious regulatory matters, in particular for sports governing bodies.  Oliver’s experience includes acting for the governing bodies of tennis (ITF, ATP, WTA and Grand Slams) in relation to an independent review of integrity in tennis and The FA in relation to an independent review of alleged non-recent child sexual abuse in football and concurrent civil claims.

Oliver also has experience of working in house, having been on secondment at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) as a Regulatory Legal Adviser where he was responsible for preparing and presenting the BHA’s case in respect of alleged breaches of the Rules of Racing.  Oliver previously advised the BHA on a major re-write of the Rules of Racing (effective September 2019).

His recent work highlights include acting for the BHA on its most high-profile disciplinary proceedings before its independent judicial panel, Sussex County Cricket Club in successfully reducing a sanction imposed on Sussex by the disciplinary body for the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following an allegation of ball-tampering, and an international rugby federation for various on-field disciplinary matters.

Oliver takes a particular interest in issues related to sporting integrity and has written for LawInSport on the subject of how sports governing bodies and event organisers should regulate against competition manipulation.  He also sits as an ‘arbitrator’ in the Sports Arbitration Moot, an annual sports law focussed mooting competition for law school students (organised in partnership with FIFA).

Career

2020 – Present: Managing Associate, Northridge Law LLP

2017 – 2020: Associate, Northridge Law LLP

2016 – 2017: Associate, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

2013 – 2016: Associate, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

2011 – 2013: Trainee, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Education

BASL/ De Montfort University, Sports Law and Practice LLM (2020)

Solicitor Advocate (Higher Courts Civil Proceedings) (2015)

BPP Law School, LPC (2010)

University of East Anglia, Law (LLB) with American Legal Studies (2009)

Lawyer Rankings

London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport

(Rising stars)

Oliver HarlandNorthridge Law LLP

Sports boutique Northridge Law LLP regularly works on high value sponsorship deals and corporate transactions – such as takeovers and sales – for elite football clubs. Practice co-heads Jonathan Ellis and Ian Lynam are routinely engaged on high-profile mandates within the industry, ranging from high-profile acquisitions to sponsorship agreements. Recent engagements for Ellis include work with the FA regarding the development of the women’s game and issues arising out of fan-led reviews. Jon Walters and Paul Shapiro are key commercial contacts for high-growth tech companies operating at the intersection of media, sports, marketing and advertising. Walters also works on venue hosting agreements for baseball and football events. James Eighteen is regularly sought out by major governing bodies for advice on horse-doping-related disciplinary proceedings, among other issues. Jamie Feldman supports on employment law matters. Oliver HarlandSarah Boulton and George Willis are all further names to note. Mike Herbert was promoted to partner in April 2023.