Clubs & associations
We advise on constitutions, governing bodies and internal decision-making. Membership issues and contracts are tailored to the organisation. In disputes, we assist the responsible body and represent the institution's position.
COMMITMENT · ORGANISATION · SPORT
Sport, clubs &associations
Working together.
Allocating responsibility clearly.
Clubs and associations need rules that work in practice. We assist organisations, members and commercial participants with constitutions, decisions and contracts, as well as sports-related disputes.
Discuss your matterStructures. Membership. Competition.
YOUR MATTER
Enable participation.
Represent interests clearly.
Sport and club life combine personal participation, voluntary responsibility and commercial activity. A member's legal position differs from that of a board member, sponsor or association. We clarify these roles when drafting arrangements and in disputes.
Athletes & members
We assist with contractual questions, membership and internal sporting decisions. Exclusion, sanctions and disputes over promised services are assessed from your individual legal position. Procedural routes and deadlines are clarified early.
Boards & businesses
We assist governing body members with their personal responsibilities, and sponsors and providers with their commercial involvement. Powers of representation, performance and remuneration are structured to keep personal and organisational interests clear.
OUR SERVICES
From the constitution
to sporting decisions.
We consider the organisation and the individual legal relationship together. Association law, internal sporting rules and commercial contracts are each assessed by their own standards.
Constitutions and organisational structure
Give the shared purpose a legal foundation.
We assist founders and existing clubs with constitutions and their development. We advise associations on aligning their rules and responsibilities. Purpose, membership, governing bodies and decision-making procedures are organised clearly. For amendments, we assess the proposed route and necessary steps; the tax treatment of charitable structures is coordinated with the responsible tax adviser.
Boards and governing body responsibilities
Make decisions with clear authority.
We advise clubs and associations on allocation of duties, representation and oversight. We assist governing body members with their personal duties and liability. Constitutions, resolutions and actual management are considered together. Conflicts of interest, documentation and possible indemnities or insurance are assessed separately; the organisation and affected governing body member may have different interests as clients.
Membership and internal disputes
Understand rights and obligations.
We assist members with admission, contributions, participation rights and termination of membership. We advise clubs on drafting and applying the relevant rules. In disputes, we review the constitution, previous decisions and specific communications. Exclusion, resignation and termination of additional service relationships are distinguished.
Meetings and resolutions
Prepare decisions transparently.
We assist clubs and associations with convening meetings, agendas and legal questions concerning voting procedures. We advise members on participation rights and review of resolutions. We examine the constitution, notice and minutes. In-person, hybrid and virtual formats are assessed under the rules that apply in the specific case.
Sports contracts and performance
Agree binding terms for sporting activity.
We assist athletes, coaches and providers with contracts for work, participation and cooperation. We advise clubs and businesses on their respective obligations. Scope of services, remuneration, duration and termination are agreed. Employment issues, image rights and association requirements are assessed separately where needed, rather than inferred from the contract's title alone.
Sponsorship and marketing
Describe performance and consideration precisely.
We help sponsors secure their involvement contractually. We advise clubs, associations and athletes on promised services and use of their rights. The scope, duration and limits of marketing are recorded. Where performance fails, circumstances change or disputes arise, we assess adjustments, accounting and possible claims under the specific agreement.
Internal sports disciplinary proceedings
Distinguish the allegation, rule and procedure.
We assist athletes and members with hearings, submissions and review of internal sports sanctions. We advise clubs and associations on the legal design of their procedures. We assess jurisdiction, the applicable rules, evidence and possible remedies. Association decisions are treated separately from state proceedings; the specific engagement determines the scope of representation.
Association law and association tribunals
Identify the appropriate route for the dispute.
We advise associations on regulations, decision-making powers and cooperation with affiliated organisations. We help affected members, clubs and athletes assess their options for legal protection. Internal review bodies, association tribunals and possible state court or arbitral proceedings are distinguished. The specific constitution, binding arrangements and disputed issue are decisive.
WORKING TOGETHER
From your concern
to your next decision.
Your role and the applicable rules are the starting point. We establish the decision or agreement and then clarify which course of action is available.
Establish the role and rules
We clarify membership, governing body status or the contractual relationship and identify upcoming dates. The constitution and procedural rules provide the basis.
Assess the decision and options
We review resolutions, contracts and correspondence. Legal options, necessary steps and costs are evaluated together.
Draft arrangements and represent interests
We assist with constitutions and contracts, support the responsible governing body or represent your position in the agreed procedure.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Initial
Guidance.
An initial guide to common questions. Your legal position, the documents and the facts determine the assessment of your individual case.
Legal information: 1 November 2026
What should a club's constitution cover?
Alongside the statutory minimum requirements, admission and resignation, contributions, board appointments and members' meetings need legal provisions. The specific arrangements must fit the organisation. Another club's constitution should therefore not be adopted without review.
Can a members' meeting take place digitally?
The BGB contains rules for hybrid and virtual meetings. The requirements and resolutions needed for the particular club are assessed together with its constitution. Notice, technical participation and exercise of members' rights must also suit the chosen format.
Is a voluntary board member always personally liable?
Personal liability does not arise solely from membership of a governing body. Under certain conditions, the law provides for reduced liability and indemnity claims. The work, remuneration, breach of duty and relevant relationship giving rise to the claim must be assessed separately.
Are sponsorship and donations the same?
The agreements may have different objectives and obligations. We assess whether any consideration is promised, how rights may be used and what should happen if performance is disrupted. Tax treatment is coordinated separately with tax advisers.
Can both members and clubs receive advice?
Yes, in separate engagements after checking for potential conflicts of interest. Members focus on individual rights; clubs on lawful organisation and decision-making. Governing body members may also have separate personal interests.
Is an association tribunal the same as a state court?
No. The first question is the body's function under the constitution and procedural rules. Any arbitration agreement must also be assessed separately. These determine possible further steps and jurisdiction.
Do you also assist smaller clubs?
Yes. Scope and approach depend on the specific concern, such as a constitutional amendment, contract or internal dispute. The support required and cost framework are agreed before work begins.