Skip to main content

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance

News and awards

Clifford Chance advises the Invictus Games Foundation on the award of the Invictus Games 2022 to Düsseldorf

17 January 2020

Clifford Chance advises the Invictus Games Foundation on the award of the Invictus Games 2022 to Düsseldorf

In July 2019, Clifford Chance announced its partnership with the Invictus Games Foundation ("IGF"). A cross-practice team now supports IGF across a wide range of matters, including most notably advising on the process and agreements for the 2022 iteration of the Invictus Games.

Following a highly competitive bid process, on 15 January 2020, IGF announced that the Invictus Games 2022 will take place in Düsseldorf, Germany. The German bid team comprised a collaboration between the German Federal Ministry of Defence, the City of Düsseldorf and the City of Düsseldorf's wholly owned events company, D.LIVE. The Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2022 was announced by the Foundation with a video from its Patron, HRH Prince followed by a press conference held at the German Embassy in London.

Jennifer Mbaluto (Partner, TMT) led the team advising IGF on the bid process. Leigh Smith (Senior Associate, IP) and Sean Wood (Associate, IP), led on drafting and negotiating the agreements with the FMoD and D.LIVE to host the Invictus Games. Clifford Chance's Düsseldorf and Frankfurt offices also provided assistance in relation to local law IP and public procurement matters.

Richard Smith CBE, Operations Director of the Invictus Games Foundation, commented:

"The team from Clifford Chance have been a genuine pleasure to work with. They have been indispensable in guiding the Invictus Games Foundation through a detailed process with tact, discretion and infectious enthusiasm. Their combined proven legal expertise with an innovative and flexible approach ensured that potentially complexes issues were navigated in a measured and collective manner. The outcome resulted in a balanced, enduring and optimum Event Hosting Agreement, fairly representing the interests of all parties concerned and designed to allow the effective delivery of a successful Invictus Games in Dusseldorf in 2022".

Jennifer Mbaluto, TMT Partner at Clifford Chance, commented:

"We are delighted to be supporting IGF on the Invictus Games 2022. Our Sports and IP teams in London, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt, continue to work with IGF on a range of commercial and intellectual property law matters arising from the organisation of the Invictus Games, which includes advice in relation to trade mark filings and prosecution, online brand protection and arrangements with third parties relating to the exploitation of IGF's valuable IP rights"