About us & What we do

The NGCAA is an independent, non-profit making association providing legal advice and administrative support to member golf clubs.

Chief Executive – Jackie Howe

Jackie Howe
Chief Executive

Jackie has been with the NGCAA since 2006 when she decided to move from Golf Club Management to the more challenging role of National Secretary with the then team at the NGCAA. Jackie has worked in golf management for the past 22 years and has an in-depth understanding of the problems faced by golf club managers and their committees in the 21st century.

Following the sad death of Mike Shaw the NGCAA have decided to restructure and engage the services of a team of five specialist Solicitors as detailed below and increase the admin support staff in the offices which will give the NGCAA the on-going ability to service our member clubs with a very wide and comprehensive range of legal advice on a timely basis.

The NGCAA team will still be contributing regular articles in the Golf Club Management magazine and also to NGCAA members through the website.

All advice will be co-ordinated through the Chief Executive and any queries should continue to be sent to info@ngcaa.co.uk or jackie@ngcaa.co.uk  and the Chief Executive will ensure that a speedy response is delivered from the appropriate solicitor in the team.

Any club wishing to join in membership of the NGCAA should contact the Chief Executive or visit our website where you can now join online for on a pro rata fee for the remainder of this subscription year.

We will continue to be supported by Counsel – a team within 3PB Chamber of Barristers that the NGCAA has engaged on a consultancy basis as and when necessary; also, our Scottish and Welsh honorary Solicitors will remain in place for advice on areas of law specific to Wales or Scotland.

NGCAA Legal Team Profile

Nick Lewis

A highly specialised and dedicated team of lawyers is on hand to advise on all legal issues. The team, headed by Nick Lewis, is familiar with the constitution and general running of Clubs and their associated problems.

Club Law & Licensing
Nick had worked closely with Mike Shaw for several years and has been involved in several projects and seminars held by the NGCAA. Nick covers all areas of Club Law including licensing. He is also Hon Solicitor for Bolton Golf Club.

John Hassells

Employment
John advises and represents employers and senior executives in relation to all Employment Law and Human Resource matters, ranging from drafting contracts, policies and procedures, dismissal situations, grievances, discrimination, harassment, redundancy, compromise agreements and business transfers. He regularly delivers employment law related training to clients and contacts.

John also represents his clients at employment tribunal hearings, involving contested/unfair dismissals, wrongful dismissals, breach of contract and discrimination cases.

John frequently advises employers (and golf clubs) in relation to cases where an individual’s status (as an employee) is in dispute. This includes advising golf clubs in relation to the status of their club professional and assisting with associated disputes.

David Johnson

Commercial & Residential Property
David is well rehearsed in all aspects of commercial property in particular buying and selling land, developments and joint ventures and the granting of leases and licenses. He is familiar with environmental and planning issues, investigation of title and reporting requirements for funders. He is also well versed in golf club land issues as a category 1 golfer for 35 years and golf club committee member.

Stephen McArdle

Litigation
Stephen deals with all aspects of dispute resolution and commercial litigation work including contract / negligence disputes, corporate / shareholder disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, contentious probate matters, intellectual property disputes and mediation.

Anneka Traynor, Solicitor

Corporate & Commercial
Anneka advises business clients and companies ranging from PLC’s, owner-managed businesses and multiple retailers to sole-traders. She provides advice on company constitutions, member’s rights, contracts, terms & conditions of business, shareholder / partnership agreements and transactions. Anneka also specialises in corporate acquisitions / disposals and restructures, company incorporations and the preparation of rules and constitutions.