Pontypool Rugby Football Club v Welsh Rugby Union

The High Court has given judgment dismissing Pontypool RFC’s challenge to the Welsh Rugby Union’s reorganisation of the Welsh Premier Division.  Following an expedited three-day trial, Jack J rejected Pontypool’s claims that the WRU had breached its own rules in selecting the teams to participate in the Premier Division in the 2012/13 season and that this amounted to a breach of contract or a breach of the sport governing body’s non-statutory duties. 

Jack J held that there were no grounds for the intervention of the Court and that the WRU could waive a requirement in the rules, such as that for independent inspections. Whilst a sports governing body must act fairly as between clubs, the WRU had a discretion in applying its rules which, as the relevant governing body with a detailed knowledge of the sport, should not be usurped by the Court.

Following judgment there was a further contested hearing, with Pontypool seeking declarations from the court and permission to appeal; the court refused these requests: [2012] EWHC 2406 (QB). 

Adam Lewis QC and Tom Mountford acted for the WRU.