SERVICES
Schelstraete Equine Law provides strategic, cross-border equine law and sports law services to clients operating in the international horse industry. Our lawyers are highly specialized experts in this niche sector, backed by over 40 years of combined experience in equine law and sports law.
We are available 24/7 worldwide, ensuring that urgent and time-sensitive matters are handled immediately and efficiently.
Our multidisciplinary team combines legal, veterinary and commercial expertise, enabling us to protect our clients’ rights, reputation, and commercial interests at every stage. The team consists of internationally experienced lawyers, legal professionals, an in-house veterinarian, and a certified mediator, allowing us to provide strategic, practical and globally oriented legal solutions.
Schelstraete Equine Law is the global equine law firm of choice for complex equine legal matters, including equine contracts, high-value horse transactions, litigation and dispute resolution, consultancy for equine businesses and investors, disciplinary & doping cases before tribunals such as FEI and the CAS, regulatory and compliance matters within the equine sector, and more.
Contact our team today to discover how we can support your equine legal needs.
Law practice
Consultancy
Law Practice
We combine deep legal knowledge with industry-specific insight to deliver practical, commercially-driven expert equine law and sports law services
Schelstraete Equine Law drafts and negotiates equine contracts for owners, riders, trainers, and investors. We prepare precise agreements for sales, leases, co-ownership, breeding arrangements, sponsorships, and international transport.
Our equine lawyers ensure that each contract incorporates all essential elements and safeguards relevant to the equine sector, providing reliable protection in both national and international contexts. With Schelstraete Equine Law, you receive legally secure documentation built for the realities of the international horse industry.
Schelstraete Equine Law represents clients in complex equine litigation, including international and cross-border matters, veterinary disputes, ownership conflicts and failed transactions. We combine legal expertise with deep industry knowledge to build strong, strategic cases. When litigation is unavoidable, Schelstraete Equine Law acts decisively to protect your rights and commercial interests.
Schelstraete Equine Law advises equine businesses, stables and investment structures on governance, risk management, acquisitions and restructuring in an international and cross-border context. We create robust legal frameworks tailored to the operational realities and regulatory demands of the global horse industry.
With Schelstraete Equine Law, your enterprise benefits from strategic, compliant and internationally oriented corporate guidance.
Schelstraete Equine Law is a leading authority in disciplinary and doping-related matters. We represent clients from across the globe in proceedings before national and international sports bodies, including FEI, CAS, and HISA tribunals, ensuring a careful, knowledgeable and strategically focused approach throughout.
Our firm develops well-substantiated defence strategies and closely monitors the proper handling of each case. Our team is further strengthened by the involvement of Dr. Zachary Calo, whose academic and professional expertise contributes to the depth and quality of our work in complex disciplinary and regulatory matters.
A selection of recent successful outcomes can be found in the news section on our website.
Schelstraete Equine Law assists riders, trainers, grooms, and equestrian staff with visas, work permits, and residency procedures. Our firm ensures timely and accurate handling of documentation to support international competition schedules and stable operations.
Structuring and providing strategic advice for equine events, series, and joint ventures. Mergers and acquisitions of equine businesses. Representation of private equity investors in equine sports.
Consultancy
We provide strategic, commercially driven advice tailored to the dynamics of the international equine industry.
Schelstraete Equine Law offers mediation for parties seeking an efficient, discreet and solution-oriented approach to resolving disputes. We facilitate structured and informed dialogue aimed at achieving balanced outcomes, preserving professional relationships and minimizing the risk of further escalation.
Mediation is conducted by Mr. Charlotte van der Steen, Master of Laws, who has completed the ICM mediation training programme. Her legal background and in-depth knowledge of the equine sector enable her to guide parties through complex disputes with clarity, neutrality and a strong focus on practical solutions.
Schelstraete Equine Law supports equine businesses in meeting their compliance obligations, which include adhering to applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and industry standards. This encompasses areas such as animal welfare, transport regulations, anti-doping frameworks, employment law, and corporate governance. We help organizations operate securely, responsibly, and in full alignment with both national and international standards.
Schelstraete Equine Law supports high-net-worth families with equine asset structuring, succession planning, and international ownership matters. We coordinate legal strategies for valuable horses, breeding programs, and global investments, ensuring confidentiality and long-term protection.
Schelstraete Equine Law provides legal guidance on a broad range of financial matters within the equine sector. We offer clear, well-founded, and legally sound support in financial matters relevant to horses and equine enterprises.
Schelstraete Equine Law guides clients through the legal and regulatory complexities of importing and exporting horses worldwide. We prepare transport contracts, purchase agreements, and veterinary documentation, and intervene in disputes involving delays, injuries, or regulatory failures.
Get in touch
Whether you have a specific legal question or need strategic advice, our team is ready to assist you with tailored expertise in equine law and sports law.
Head Office
Hoflaan 7-9,
5223 LT
’s-Hertogenbosch
The Netherlands