Hong Kong should position itself as a hub for sports-dispute resolution services amid rising demand, say lawyers

With many events being held in Asia, there is a lot of scope for law firms to offer mediation and resolution services, according to Addleshaw Goddard

The government is considering setting up a dedicated scheme for sports dispute resolution, which may cover both mediation and arbitration

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From the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics to the cancellation of sports leagues in different countries, many sports related disputes have arisen, say lawyers. Photo: dpa

Published: 12:05pm, 22 Nov 2020Updated: 10:02pm, 22 Nov 2020

Hong Kong should enhance its status as a leading global legal hub for resolving sports-related disputes as demand for mediation and resolution services is likely to rise after the Olympic Games, say lawyers.

With disputes arising from the Tokyo Olympics to the cancellation of many regional sports events in different countries and other sports related issues, demand for mediation and resolution services will increase in tandem, said Ronald Sum Kwan-ngai, a partner in the Hong Kong office of the UK law firm Addleshaw Goddard.

Sport is big business, and with many events being held in Asia, a lot of opportunities are being created for the industry. Hong Kong can play bigger role in resolving disputes, said Sum, who sits on the Hong Kong Government Advisory Committee on the Promotion of Arbitration and the Hong Kong Steering Committee on Mediation.

Since the coronavirus outbreak earlier this year, many global sporting events have been postponed or canceled, including the city’s popular Rugby Sevens, creating strife among organisers. The Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which has been postponed to next year, is likely to throw up many disputes as is the Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022.

Thomas So Shiu-tsung, litigation and dispute resolution partner at international law firm Mayer Brown, says sports dispute resolution could be “a new area for us to grow.” Photo: Dickson Lee

In sports-related disputes, national and international sporting institutions, such as the Court of Arbitration for Sport, are now actively encouraging parties to seek mediation at the first opportunity. Disputes can also involve investigations and anti-doping matters, bribery, corruption investigations, contractual disputes and fraud among others.

“If Hong Kong can sit on the board of CAS, or CAS can set up its Asian office in the city, that will help Hong Kong to become the hub for sports mediation and resolution in the region,” said Sum.

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