Joshua Ingham-Headland

Joshua Ingham-Headland is a Case Manager at Sport Resolutions, having started working for the organisation as a Business Support Officer in September 2019. Joshua also boasts a Master’s degree in Sports Law from Nottingham Trent University.

1. When did your interest in sports law begin? 

I have always been extremely passionate about sport but my interest in sports law spiked during my third year of university as I selected Sports Law as one of my optional modules. This was a module that greatly appealed to me as it combined two subjects that I absolutely love and throughout the year as my interest and knowledge grew I was confident that pursuing a Sports Law LLM was the correct next step for me once my undergraduate degree had been completed. 
 
2. Please can you tell us more about your Master’s degree and what it consisted of? 

My Master’s degree consisted of four assignments of 5000 words, two assignments of 3000 words and then finally a 12,000 word dissertation in which I wrote about how Brexit could potentially affect the NFL establishing a franchise within the United Kingdom. The modules included sports law and regulation, Intellectual property and commerce, European Sports Law and Policy, Arbitration, Mediation and Dispute Resolution. 
 
3. How would you describe the role of Sport Resolutions? 

Sport Resolutions plays a vital role in sports dispute resolution as it provides greater access to arbitration and mediation to NGB’s, athletes and other individuals and organisations involved in sport at a much lower cost than if they were to pursue the same outcome through the courts. Sport Resolutions is completely independent with panel members declaring that they are free from conflicts before adjudicating on a matter so parties can feel confident that they are ensured a result that has not been biased. We maintain a large panel, consisting of nearly 300 individuals, covering a wide range of relevant skills. 

The role of Sport Resolutions is vital to sport both in the UK and internationally as it ensures all sporting disputes have access to a cost effective, independent body that will adjudicate on anti-doping, safeguarding, commercial, integrity and more issues. 

SR also operates a Pro Bono Legal Advice & Representation Service to benefit athletes of limited financial means who are involved in proceedings administered by SR. We maintain a panel of lawyers and experts who are willing to provide their services on a pro bono basis. This provides equality of arms, procedural fairness and adherence to principles of natural justice, as well as providing a properly independent process ensuring that all athletes have access to legal advice at no cost; and avoids longer processes caused by self-represented athletes.
 
4. Please can you describe a typical day in your life?

I think this is one of the reasons that working for Sport Resolutions is so great, every day is different to the next. Because we administer so many different matters each day will be different from the last, one day a lot of my time could be taken up on a football matter issuing directions whilst the next I could be assisting with an anti-doping hearing and the next day could then see me reviewing a decision of a selection appeal. 
 
5. What do you find most rewarding about your role at Sport Resolutions?

I find it most rewarding that I know we are making a real impact and providing a service that is absolutely vital to the continued success of sport around the world. Sport Resolutions ensures that independent and expert processes are followed by sporting bodies both at national and international level where all parties receive transparent and fair treatment. I find it especially rewarding when an individual thanks us for dealing with their matter independently as without us they wouldn’t have always had any chance to challenge what the governing body had previously decided. 
 
6. What advice would you give to those hoping to pursue a career in sports law?

If you have the passion and motivation then do not let anything stand in your way. Your path may not be the traditional one or the one that you originally envisaged for yourself but as long as you believe in yourself and stick at it then you will achieve your goals, even if it takes a little longer than originally planned.