On 20 February 2025, The "Speed & Justice: Tech x Sports Arbitration" Forum, organized by the eBRAM International Online Mediation and Arbitration Centre, concluded successfully in Hong Kong. The event brought together leading experts, scholars, and legal professionals in sports arbitration from Hong Kong and Mainland China, including members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, advisors to the Sports Dispute Resolution Advisory Committee of the Department of Justice, arbitrators of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS), representatives from the China Sports Arbitration Commission, and partners from prestigious law firms, to explore innovative practices in sports arbitration and Hong Kong's strategic role as an international dispute resolution hub.
Dr. Su Shao-cong, the Chairman of eBRAM, delivered the opening remarks, while Dr. Cheung Kwok-kwan, the Deputy Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR Government, attended as the guest of honor. Dr. Qiao Yijuan, the Head of Theoretical Research at the China Sports Arbitration Commission, delivered a keynote speech.
Llinks partner, Mr. David Wu contributed as a panelist in the roundtable discussion, analyzing the divergent enforcement mechanisms between internal organizational adjudications and external arbitral awards in sports disputes. He further addressed the coordination challenges between the New York Convention framework and sports autonomy rules in cross-border enforcement, offering pragmatic solutions to enhance procedural efficiency and global compliance.
The forum focused on two themes: "Innovation and Development in Sports Arbitration" and "Hong Kong's Preparation as an International Sports Dispute Resolution Center." The first session examined the unique advantages and challenges of sports arbitration, including procedural design, award enforcement, and dispute resolution efficiency. The second session discussed how Hong Kong could refine its legal framework and dispute resolution mechanisms to align with its goal of becoming a global sports hub. The event concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Cen Junyi, Vice Chairman of eBRAM.
The forum strengthened academic exchanges between Hong Kong and Mainland experts and aligned with the Hong Kong SAR Government's 2024 Policy Address initiative to promote sports arbitration.
Following the event, Mr. David Wu was invited as a guest speaker at the 2025 Sports Law Forum hosted by the Hong Kong Law Society the next day.
