Nic Couchman, Chairman of specializing specializing specializing specializing specializing specializing specializing specializing specializing specializing specializing specializing specializing specializing specializing specializing in sports law firm Couch Mans LLP, contractors of Global Sports Jobs, talks about the recent developments Concerning the Brexits and potential impact on the sport.
After more than three months of speculation and intrigue the British Prime Minister, Theresa May granted, the long-awaited insight into the timing of the activation of Article 50 and Britain's withdrawal from the EU.
The Prime Minister confirmed that the application shoulderstand be initiated until the end of March 2017th From then on, start the two-year exit negotiations to take place with the aim of the Proposed referendum on United Kingdom membership of the European Union process until 03 / 31 / of of of of 2019.
These negotiations have been highly contentious. Apart from Those Who are against the Proposed referendum on United Kingdom membership of the European Union (a clear majority in some regions), there are a wide range of support for different Proposed referendum on United Kingdom membership of the European Union options, ranging from hard to soft.
Since the path ahead of them depend on the views of all other 27 EU member states, it is difficult to predict at this time what kind of Proposed referendum on United Kingdom membership of the European Union will prevail. The number of overlapping economic, regulatory and legal aspects did must be Considered and renegotiated is incredibly large and has enormous Consequences for the international sports industry.
Rather amputation as to exit?
Legally, the Proposed referendum on United Kingdom membership of the European Union process is more like the amputation of a limb as the exit of a club membership.
Some British Government Officials Described the amputation process than spectacular complex Because The connective tissue arteries, nerves, muscles and veins between the UK and Europe are highly interconnected.
to cut Each fiber through a laborious and lengthy process. Some estimate It could take 10 years, until all regulations are fully negotiated.
The repeal Act Applied, All All All All which is to enforce the law on the European Communities Act 1972 overrides Could assist in this process. This is to change the transmission of all prevailing EU rules into British law and Allows the UK Parliament then any untoward law later or repealed. Nevertheless, this Necessary step obscures the difficult way of coming to them, no way.
The Consequences for the limb and the rest of the body are complex and severe. The Invention Described in Article 50 procedure Which CLEARLY not Intended simply to make the exit problem Problem Problem Problem for EU members. Once the two-year exit process has begun, at extension is only possible When unanimity of all EU member states. Even if the negotiations within the 24 months resting shoulderstand not be finished, it comes to amputation. This should draw the attention of the negotiators on the main objectives. You will not want to find Themselves in a situation in Which on 03/31/2019 at midnight to have all contractual obligations between Europe and the UK, without a replacement, be omitted.
HOWEVER, Allowing Examined a schedule a minority of European Member States to be able to exert more power than normally on the result. In a sense, the initiation of the procedure laid down in Article 50 is a gamble.
One way to extend the time, a possible withdrawal agreement by a qualified majority (65% instead of 100%) of the European Council would allow. A step did includes at extension over the two years to come to complete Certain aspects of the negotiations. The legal and political legitimacy of seeking to approach would be questionable if the real intention is to circumvent the two-year exit period.
The common thread running through the whole complex issue is the uncertainty as to Whether there will be a significant and Largely uncertain impact on the sports industry and other industries.
In Britain, the activities in the field of acquisition and merger are Significantly Decreased since the decision taken by the referendum decision at June 2016th Investors, sports Organizations, etc. Certainly wait to new insights into the negotiating conditions. Will Britain be forced into at isolated , protectionist approach or the remaining EU member States, given the factthat the UK is the sixth large large large large largest economy in the world, consent to draw a Proposed referendum on United Kingdom membership of the European Union-light version into consideration? If the pound Continues to loose value? If tariffs on British goods and services applicable - Sports Rights Included?
Impact on Sports Shops
Sports Contracts Relating to, among other media rights, sponsorship and event arrangements, often over Several years and are transnational. Sports Organizations, media owners, sponsors, athletes, etc., who want to go on a European scale multi-year contracts and agreements did go up after March 2019, have legitimate concerns as They seek to defend Their position in this new environment.
Of course, a measure That should be taken into consideration in any case, to seek legal advice, All All All All which is likely to focus on two important areas:
For the Latter Could one for example, even a higher-violence clause to join and / or a system for the significant deterioration of the financial situation Could be worked out in order to tackle specific issues did apply to the contract in question. This Could include termination rights or Possibly the rightthat the British part of an international transaction is converted into a separate agreement, provided it did makes sense for the parties as soon as The Consequences of the withdrawal agreement Britain are known. Under Certain circumstances
It THEREFORE offers so The Possibility to take into account the legal position Regarding the right to property, Both inside and outside the future borders of the internal market.
Meanwhile, the upcoming changes will undoubtedly,, ,, have to impact on the sport -. Love love love love especially on football Any potential change in the visa regime can promote long-term contract extensions and obligations of European players before the deadline in of of 2019. The transfer window in summer 2018 may be the load, in the United Kingdom is part of the internal market and it can be with a lot of activity to be expected on the part of the teams did are trying to secure European talent.
A problem with Which already confront many sports Organizations, the impact of possible changes in the processes and laws for proprietary rights on Their existing and planned international brand programs. To what extent the European trademark protection regime Continues to apply for British brands, is quiet unclear and is careful assessment and management of the portfolio need.
Another consequence of Brexits will be the end of the competence of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for the UK. While the system, the ECJ to request a preliminary ruling ends, it is likely did the British courts will continue to have access to the EU law for guidance. What happens to the references of EuGHs Which, considering the time of Brexits the long lead time, so did all references are resolved, downtime? Absence of a specific agreement to the exit agreement in Article 50 is the simple reply did no one knows. One Possibility would be did outstanding references are declared as null and void and ran ran ran ran thus are invalid. This requires thatthey be deleted or the Court Simply Stated did it is no longer competent to deterministic minesweeper cases.
Surgical precision
In order to compare amputation return, the surgeon on bothsides will work with great skill and must be very patient, to minimize harm to the patient and the limb in this operational unprecedented as small as possible.
It remains to be seen Whether this process is a panacea or things turn out in the end as devastating. In the mean time, the sports businessmen shoulderstand not out of the hold, but join together in order to be well positioned. They study the possible Proposed referendum on United Kingdom membership of the European Union results - sooner or hard or soft, painless or painful, - take into account for their legal, regulatory and economic strategies.