The Law Society and Bar Council are to establish a joint pro bono panel of advisers for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Although City firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is the official legal adviser to the London Olympics, the games’ organising committee has asked the two representative bodies to set up a panel of firms and chambers that would be available to act in disputes arising out of the games.
Bar chairman Nick Green QC said: ‘We need people to be available 24/7 to provide legal advice and representation to athletes and their teams.
‘We’re not talking about free commercial advice, but help to those who are alleged to have fallen foul of the games’ rules by drug taking or cheating, for example, and who need to be represented before the relevant sporting tribunal at short notice.’
Green said past games indicated there will not be large amounts of legal work, but he estimated they would be looking for between five and 10 firms and chambers to form the panel.
He added: ‘We’re at a fairly early stage in planning, but we hope to invite expressions of interest in the new year before interviewing applicants and announcing the panel in the spring or summer – a year before the start of the games.’
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