Charles Russell gets the London 2012 legal games underway with Paddy Power claim

Head of contentious IP Bagnall is leading the case, with corporate and commercial partner and sports specialist Lynam assisting.

Paddy Power is seeking a court order against LOCOG after it instructed billboard company JCDecaux to remove it’s posters around the capital.

Paul Harris QC of Monckton Chambers is instructed for the claimant and will argue that the “We Hear You” adverts are not in breach LOCOG legislation on advertising.

The billboards, which went up on Monday, promote Paddy Power’s sponsorship of an athletics event taking place in a small town called London in France.

They proclaim the bookmakers as the “Official sponsor of the largest athletics event in London this year! There you go, we said it.”

Charles Russell will go to court today to seek a court order declaring the campaign is not in breach of LOCOG rules.

A Paddy Power spokesperson said: “We pride ourselves on listening to our customers and what we’ve heard loud and clear is that LOCOG have got their priorities upside-down. It’s a pity they didn’t put the same energy into the ticketing and security arrangements for the Games that they put into protecting their sponsorship revenue streams.

“We’re taking this fight to the High Court in the interest of our customers and of common sense”

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is instructed for LOCOG as the firm is instructed as the sole legal services provider to the Games. (11 June 2012)

It is understood LOCOG has not taken legal action as yet, but has simply requested JCDevaux to remove the adverts.

It did not respond in time to a request for a statement.

Read about the legal history of the Games and its disputes here