Home → Jobs
UK Anti-Doping protects the right to right to enjoy doping-free sport UKAD is the national organisation dedicated to protecting a culture of clean sport. Every day, we are raising awareness of the issues through our extensive education and testing programme.
Working closely with senior lawyers and stakeholders across sport, the role is responsible for managing the prosecution of Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) matters through to conclusion, ensuring timely progression and compliance with the relevant Anti-Doping Rules.
The Lawyer will manage their own case load, advise on investigations and, where required, appear as an advocate on behalf of UKAD before the National Anti-Doping Panel and other tribunals. Both written and oral advocacy skills are essential, and the role is ideal for a lawyer who thrives on a mix of casework, written advocacy and oral advocacy.
ADRV hearings take place for the team, on average, once a month, and typically last between one to two days each. The focus of the Lawyer’s role will therefore primarily be on the timely progression of cases and drafting high-quality written submissions and correspondence, while preparing for and delivering persuasive oral advocacy when required.
The Lawyer will also be responsible for ensuring the highest quality legal advice is made available to the organisation in the most efficient way
Key result areas:
The effective and timely prosecution of alleged ADRVs and the provision of legal advice to the organisation, including:
Drafting
• Drafting inter-party correspondence
• Drafting independent review requests
• Drafting formal legal correspondence, including Notice and Charge Letters
• Drafting and reviewing witness statements and written submissions
Case Management
Interpreting rules and regulations and advising internal stakeholders on investigations into potential ADRVs
Advising on evidence gathering and admissibility and reviewing evidence for disclosure purposes
Conducting case to answer assessments on potential ADRV matters
Liaising with Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and their representatives in ADRV proceedings
Written and oral advocacy
Drafting high-quality, persuasive written submissions and correspondence
Appearing on behalf of UKAD as an advocate at ADRV hearings, when required
Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders
Liaising with National Governing Bodies (NGBs), International Federations (IFs) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding the bringing of charges for alleged ADRVs
Liaising with external counsel instructed by UKAD
Liaising with, and providing advice to, UKAD’s Results, Testing, Science and Medicine, Communications, and Education teams
Non-contentious work
Where required, support the team’s wider provision of contractual and other non-contentious legal advice to UKAD, including in relation to data protection, freedom of information and GDPR matters
Person specification
Qualifications/experience/knowledge
Barrister or Solicitor with a current practising certificate and either i) a minimum of three years’ post qualification experience (PQE) or ii) a minimum of three years’ experience working either in-house or in private practice within a sports regulatory team
Substantial experience of appearing as an advocate before a range of tribunals
Substantial experience of handling litigation matters
Proven experience of working with anti-doping rules and regulations, or similar professional regulations
Proven experience of providing legal advice to senior management
Experience of communicating and presenting to a variety of levels of seniority and backgrounds, both internally and externally
Experience of managing sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner
Experience of drafting and reviewing commercial contracts (desirable)
Demonstrable experience of having complied with the duty of disclosure
Familiarity with Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Act and GDPR matters (desirable)
A passion for and knowledge of sport
Skills
• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills
• Confident and persuasive advocacy
• Ability to work within a team, whilst prioritising own workload and working under a tight schedule with competing deadlines
• Ability to pay close attention to detail
• Ability to build and sustain relationships with a network of key people internally and externally
• Self-aware and excellent interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and communication skills
• Ability to work proactively with external suppliers
• Ability to use Microsoft Office efficiently
How to Apply
Please click APPLY NOW to begin the application process.