CEO’s Review of the Year
Sport Resolutions (SR) has had another very busy year providing independent dispute resolution services to sports, both nationally and internationally. To meet the growing demand for our services, our team has now expanded to 20 individuals, split in to four teams, each handling national and international cases.
International Work
SR operated and administered an ad hoc independent tribunal during the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic tennis events. This tribunal was established to handle expedited matters under ITF Regulations and was available throughout the tennis competitions of both Games.
It was composed of members from our highly regarded International Panel, from countries including Australia, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, and Ukraine.
Safeguarding work continued to be our largest area of work, closely followed by anti-doping, both at the national and international level. SR continues to operate World Athletics (WA) Disciplinary and Appeals Tribunal and Safeguarding Case Management Group (CMG) which was designed to review investigations conducted by the AIU, assess risk and make orders relating to safeguards, limitations, restrictions and sanctions in the sport of Athletics. The CMG members were appointed early in 2024. Appeals from the WA CMG are heard and determined by the Disciplinary and Appeals Tribunal.
In November, SR operated and administered an ad hoc Independent Tribunal for the International Tennis Federation during the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge and the 2024 Davis Cup Finals weeks. Our involvement in the Davis Cup since 2019 and the Billie Jean King Cup since 2021 has been a privilege. We appreciate the continued trust that tennis places in our independent processes, procedures, and panels.
Our broad international work continues to grow, with more than 26 international federations integrating SR into their policies and processes.
National Work
At SR, we were proud to play a key role in the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. We handled 10 selection cases, adding to the 100+ selection cases we have conducted since 2017, spanning over 20 different sports. Prior to the Games we also provided standby cover for 14 Olympic and Paralympic sports during their selection periods. Given the expedited nature of selection matters, that often require resolution within 72 hours or less, arbitrators, pro bono assistance, and case managers were on standby during the appeal window to address any referred appeals.
We continue to provide bespoke programmes for Sport England and UK Sport in the form of the Safeguarding Case Management Programme and Sport Integrity respectively. These are becoming integral and well-used services, helping to improve integrity in sport by providing support to NGBs who remain responsible for protecting the well-being of their athletes, coaches and members. My gratitude and thanks go to the Sports Councils for their continued support and the trust that they place in SR.
Panel Appointments
At the beginning of this year, we undertook a comprehensive review of our Panel, a renewal process that occurs every three years. The expertise of our Panel members, and the broad range of skills available to us, allows us to offer a wide array of services. However, we believe regular renewal is sensible and necessary, ensuring our Panel has the required skills to meet the changing demands of sport.
In total we received around 550 applications to join our Panel, a record number. It was a time-consuming process to properly assess each application, but ultimately, the SR board approved an expanded Panel of circa 350 individuals, whose 3-year term began in April 2024.
We are proud to announce that our Panel is now 33% female – a significant change and improvement from when I joined SR in 2010. Whilst this is encouraging and positive, there is clearly still more work to be done. Our Panel members also represent 33 different nations and collectively cover 21 languages, which is particularly helpful given the increasing volume of international work we do.
Rather than asking parties to choose an arbitrator from the panel list, we make the nominations ourselves. This ensures that the appointed tribunals are completely independent of the parties involved.
Depending on the nature of the case, we review our panel list to identify individuals with the relevant expertise. After conducting conflict checks and confirming availability, we nominate the proposed panel to the parties for agreement and subsequent appointment. A party may object to an appointment if they believe there are legitimate grounds to do so.
We also do not restrict the ability of our panel members to sit on other panels.
Earlier this summer, we also refreshed our Pro Bono Service members. We now have 108 legal professionals and 30 law firms and chambers willing to provide pro bono legal advice and assistance to athletes and individuals with limited financial means. The Pro Bono Service originates from, and operates as a legacy of, the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In the last financial year, we sourced free legal advice for individuals on 97 occasions, an increase of 42% from the previous year. Access to this service is key to ensuring that individuals are supported throughout a process, providing equality of arms between the parties in what can be a daunting and intimidating process.
SR Board
We are very pleased that Jack Anderson, a well-known sports lawyer and professor at the University of Melbourne, joined our Board of Directors in September 2024.
In September, Tracy Harrison, one of our independent non-executive directors, stepped down from the Board. We are incredibly grateful for her invaluable contribution as a board member, and for her expertise as Chair of the Marketing and Service Development Committee.
Last month, we shared the sad news of the passing of our much-respected Board Director, Nigel Smith, who died on 1st November 2024, following a short illness. Nigel joined the Board of Directors at Sport Resolutions in early 2019. In addition to being a highly valued member of our Board, he also chaired the company’s Audit and Risk Committee. Nigel was not only a respected colleague but also a dear friend to many of us. Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts are with his beloved wife, Jo, and his family during this incredibly difficult time.
2025 Annual Conference
2025 will mark the 10th year of our annual conferences. Our 2024 event, in association with Winston & Strawn LLP, attracted over 300 individuals who joined us to discuss key topics in the field, moderated by TV presenter Eilidh Barbour.
We are excited for our 10th conference and hope to see many of you there. It will take place on Thursday, 1st May, in central London with session details and ticket information provided in early January. In the meantime, please save the date!
To conclude, I trust you will all enjoy the festive period, and we look forward to working with you again in the New Year.
