Schelstraete

Equine Law

Equine Lawyers in the United States

Schelstraete Equine Law’s U.S. office advises domestic and international clients on complex equine law and sports law matters, with particular expertise in disputes, including HISA-related proceedings.
Led by Dr. Zachary R. Calo, our lawyers work closely with international legal and industry experts to deliver coordinated, practical, and effective legal solutions tailored to the needs of athletes, owners, trainers, and equestrian businesses.

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Equine Lawyers in France

From Paris, Schelstraete Equine Law advises and represents French and international clients on equine law matters, including litigation, contract negotiation, and complex transactions within the equestrian industry.

Through close cooperation with local experts connected to our international team, we combine in-depth knowledge of French law with Schelstraete Equine Law’s international expertise.

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Equine Lawyers in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is the headquarters of Schelstraete Equine Law and the centre of our international practice in equine law, commercial litigation, and sports law. From here, we advise and represent domestic and international clients across the full spectrum of equine, contractual, and sports-related legal matters.

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Equine Lawyers in the Middle East

Schelstraete Equine Law advises and represents clients across the Middle Eastern equine sector on legal matters such as transactions, structuring, and disputes.

Working in an international and cross-border context, and in cooperation with local experts connected to our international team, we deliver strategic and practical legal solutions tailored to the region’s legal and commercial dynamics.

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Equine Lawyers in the United Kingdom

Schelstraete Equine Law advises UK-based and international clients on matters involving English law within the field of equine law and sports law.

Operating in cooperation with local experts connected to our international team, we provide coordinated, efficient and cross-border legal solutions.

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International Equine Law Firm

Schelstraete Equine Law is an international law firm specializing in equine law, commercial litigation, and sports law. Founded in 1986, we advise and represent clients across the global equine industry and wider commercial sector, helping clients operate with confidence in a rapidly evolving international environment.

Our multidisciplinary team offers advise on cross-border transactions, contracts, disputes concerning hidden defects or veterinary liability, and representation before the FEI, CAS, and HISA tribunals, alongside a broad range of other legal matters.

With offices and alliances in the Netherlands, the United States, the Middle East, France, and the United Kingdom, our team supports clients in more than 50 countries.

Our lawyers combine extensive legal, commercial, and veterinary expertise to provide advice and representation that protects the career, reputation, and business of our clients.

Years of experience

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Offices worldwide

24/7

Availability for urgent legal matters

Our Clients

Our lawyers represent athletes, trainers, owners, grooms, private clients, businesses, and federations across a wide range of equestrian disciplines, as well as in the broader commercial industry.

Our Expertise

We combine specialized equine law, commercial litigation, and sports law expertise with in-house veterinary and commercial insight.

Contracting

Our experts draft and negotiate legally robust and cross-border contracts that protect your interests in national and international transactions.

Litigation

Our lawyers represent clients in complex cross-border disputes and litigation, acting decisively to safeguard legal and commercial positions.

Corporate Consultancy

We advise businesses and investors on governance, restructuring, and cross-border corporate strategy.

Disciplinary & Doping Cases

We are the global equine law firm of choice for providing strategic defense in disciplinary and doping proceedings before national and international sports authorities, such as the FEI, CAS, and HISA

Immigration

Our lawyers handle visas, work permits, and residency procedures to support international equestrian careers and other athletic professions.

Equine Sports Industry Practice

We structure and provide strategic advice for equine events, series, and joint ventures, advise on mergers and acquisitions of equine businesses, and represent private equity investors.

Contracting

Our experts draft and negotiate legally robust and cross-border equine contracts that protect your interests in national and international transactions.

Litigation

Our equine lawyers represent clients in complex cross-border equine disputes and litigation, acting decisively to safeguard legal and commercial positions.

Corporate Consultancy

We advise equine businesses and investors on governance, restructuring, and cross-border corporate strategy.

Disciplinary & Doping Cases

We are the global equine law firm of choice for providing strategic defense in disciplinary and doping proceedings before national and international sports authorities, such as the FEI and the CAS.

Immigration

Our equine lawyers handle visas, work permits, and residency procedures to support international equestrian careers and operations.

Equine Sports Industry Practice

We structure and provide strategic advice for equine events, series, and joint ventures, advise on mergers and acquisitions of equine businesses, and represent private equity investors.

Mediation Consultancy

We facilitate structured, confidential mediation to resolve disputes efficiently while preserving professional relationships.

Compliance

We support organizations in meeting regulatory, welfare, and governance requirements at national and international level.

Family Office

We assist high-net-worth families with structuring, succession planning, and long-term protection of their assets.

Finance

We provide legally grounded financial guidance for enterprises, transactions, and investment structures.

Import & Export of Horses

We guide clients through the legal and regulatory complexities of international horse transport and trade.

Mediation Consultancy

We facilitate structured, confidential mediation to resolve equine disputes efficiently while preserving professional relationships.

Compliance

We support equine organizations in meeting regulatory, welfare, and governance requirements at national and international level.

Family Office

We assist high-net-worth families with structuring, succession planning, and long-term protection of equine assets.

Finance

We provide legally grounded financial guidance for equine enterprises, transactions, and investment structures.

Import & Export of Horses

We guide clients through the legal and regulatory complexities of international horse transport and trade.

Our Specialized Lawyers

Leading lawyers delivering cross-border legal excellence.

l.schelstraete@schelstraete.com +31 6 51 61 9119

Areas of expertise:

Contracting
Litigation
Corporate
Family Office
Doping and Disciplinary Cases
Sports Law
Due Diligence in Equine deals

Luc has registered the legal practice area ‘Verbintenissenrecht’ in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas (rechtsgebiedenregister). Based on this registration, he is required to obtain ten training credits per calendar year in this registered legal practice area in accordance with the standards set by the Netherlands Bar.

p.wawrzyniak@schelstraete.com +31 6 51 61 9120

Areas of expertise:

Contracting
Litigation
Corporate
Family Office
Doping and Disciplinary Cases
Sports Law
Due Diligence in Equine deals

Piotr has registered the legal practice area ‘Verbintenissenrecht’ in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas (rechtsgebiedenregister). Based on this registration, he is required to obtain ten training credits per calendar year in this registered legal practice area in accordance with the standards set by the Netherlands Bar.

v.zitman@schelstraete.com

Areas of expertise:

Litigation
Corporate
Liability

Vincent has registered the legal practice area ‘Verbintenissenrecht’ in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas (rechtsgebiedenregister). Based on this registration, he is required to obtain ten training credits per calendar year in this registered legal practice area in accordance with the standards set by the Netherlands Bar.

z.calo@schelstraete.nl

Areas of expertise:

- Commercial Dispute Resolution
- Mediation
- Sports Law
- Litigation

Our Global Reach

Serving clients across Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

Equine law is a highly specialized area of legal practice focused on the unique needs of the equestrian sector. It encompasses a broad range of legal matters, including the drafting of contracts, negotiation of horse sales, dispute resolution and litigation, corporate and commercial advice, and regulatory compliance.

This field also covers representation in disciplinary and doping proceedings before governing bodies such as Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI), the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and Horse Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), as well as matters relating to immigration (including visas and work permits for riders, grooms, and professionals), joint ventures, mediation, and the import and export of horses.