On 9th May 2020, Llinks partner David Wu, as arbitrator of Court of Arbitration for Sport ("CAS") and deputy leader of Shanghai Law Society Sports Law Research Group, attended the seminar "Judicial Challenges in Sports Disputes and International Arbitration" at CAS Shanghai Hearing Center ("Hearing Center"). The event invited judges from the enforcement tribunal of People's Court of Shanghai Xuhui District, as well as other sports law experts including Professor Xiang Huiying, secretary-general of Shanghai Law Society Sports Law Research Group.
The seminar was chaired by Mr. Ma Chunfu, Head of the Hearing Center. Mr. Chen Yiping, General Director of the Hearing Center gave the welcome speech and introduced the history of the Hearing Center as one of the witnesses who experienced its development. Since its establishment in 2012, the Hearing Center has been constantly exploiting its potential, striving to cooperate further with more global-leading sports institutions.
Attorney Wu began with the issue of jurisdiction over disputes in competitive sports. In Chinese sports industry, a developing professional dispute resolution system has been formed within the industry, while comprehensive support and regulation are still demanded, voices keep increasing for the establishment of domestic independent sports arbitration institutions. Based on the initial consideration of the current version of Chinese Sports Law and the particularity of competitive sports, Attorney Wu illustrated the most significant elements that distinguish dispute resolution within the industry from judicial jurisdiction, and further discussed with the guests on the key points regarding jurisdiction division of future sports dispute resolution.
Professor Xiang then turned to the development experience of international sports dispute resolution, and presented a brief view of jurisdiction division of CAS, as well as international sports confederations and competitions. By analyzing the structure of such, together with classic cases, Professor Xiang delivered a detailed picture of collision and integration within the international dispute resolution system of sports. In further discussion, Judge Liu Feng appreciated the lectures of Attorney Wu and Professor Xiang, as the judges were able to form an updated view of the jurisdiction over sports disputes, inspired by the latest ideas and cases. They expect comprehensive sports arbitration mechanism to be soon established in China, therefore approach the increasing sports disputes in a more professional way.
