Carolyn's at the top of her Games

The mammoth spectacle of sport that was the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has featured many high profile names, among them sponsors and legal advisers Harper Macleod.

But one member of the firm, dispute resolution partner Carolyn Morgan, had a different role in addition to her day job – as honorary legal adviser for Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS), the body responsible for selecting, preparing and managing Scotland’s team for the main Games, and the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Carolyn explained: “My role is broadranging and diverse. For instance, I reviewed and revised the team member agreement and the selection polices for the 2014 Games. I also had to provide advice and guidance in relation to athlete eligibility to compete, advice in relation to compliance under data protection legislation, contractual matters, governance issues and drafting guidelines for the CGS board to assist with their involvement at selection meetings and any appeals following the selection process.”

As well as always being on hand for legal issues before and during the Games, Carolyn was a CGS representative, alongside board members, attending events where Scottish athletes were participating to offer support, for issues such as helping them get to media interviews afterwards.

She also supported athletes’ families, for example by arranging food, transport and tickets. Depending on the success in heats, the families often didn’t know until the last minute when their relative would compete.

Her role was not without its rewards – not least having a backstage seat in the run-up to the event and during the competitions. She was at the launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay in 2013 at Buckingham Palace, and enjoyed various tours of venues through their development, and was even asked to present quaichs at two medal ceremonies where Scottish judokas Sally Conway and John Buchanan each picked up bronze medals.

Carolyn said: “I’ve learned lots. I have had a very steep learning curve. I fully appreciate just how much effort goes into preparing for the Games and the amount of planning, preparation and dedication from board members in ensuring the wellbeing of the athletes. The Games have been inspirational and I’m proud to be a Glaswegian.”