To the USA, where we learned this week about a novel 'no entry' policy by entertainment giant Madison Square Garden Entertainment.

The company has put a ban in place for all firms pursuing 'active litigation' against the company. It even has a name: the Adverse Attorney Policy.

This means lawyers from the relevant firms cannot come into shows or sports events at any of New York’s Madison Square Garden, Hulu Theater (yes we know, but it’s how they spell it), Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre, plus the Chicago Theatre. In the next month alone, that means no attending Nas, Billy Joel or Jerry Seinfeld gigs, plus a ban on watching the New York Knicks basketball or New York Rangers ice hockey.

The MSG group states that attorneys who have filed a lawsuit against the company are ‘not welcome in our venues while litigation is ongoing’. This includes those representing ticket scalpers, personal injury claims and class action litigations, but does not include claims related to sexual harassment or employment discrimination.

The company appears to have limited sympathy for those affected, describing them as ‘ambulance chasers and money grabbers whose business is motivated by self-promotion and who capitalise on the misfortune of others'.

The company’s chief executive James Dolan explained: ‘This is not discriminatory and we will not back down – The Garden has to defend itself – our values are important to us.’

The group now uses facial recognition to keep adverse attorneys out of its venues, but New York attorney general Letitia James is reportedly investigating whether the lawyer ban could violate equal rights laws.

‘MSG Entertainment cannot fight their legal battles in their own arenas,' said James. ‘Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall are world-renowned venues and should treat all patrons who purchased tickets with fairness and respect. Anyone with a ticket to an event should not be concerned that they may be wrongfully denied entry based on their appearance.’

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