International Hearing Panel

International Federations, Anti-Doping Organisations or Regional Anti-Doping Organisations wishing to refer their first instance anti-doping matter to an Independent Organisation.

The cost of the arbitration is usually covered by the International Federation, Anti-Doping Organisations or Regional Anti-Doping Organisations. This includes the fees and expenses of the arbitrator(s), the administration fees of Sport Resolutions and any costs for hiring a hearing venue. Fees vary depending on factors such as the number of arbitrators, length of the hearing and whether the matter proceeds on the papers or to a hearing.

Costs can be provided to the paying parties in advance of a referral.

The service is available to all athletes in proceedings before Sport Resolutions. Further information on the service can be found on the Pro Bono Services page. 

Sport Resolutions maintains an extensive list of international arbitrators with knowledge and experience of sport and the anti-doping environment of sport. It is from this panel that SR makes its appointments – with SR making the nominations rather than the parties. By taking this approach, the appointed tribunals are completely independent of the parties. A party may object to an appointment if it believes there might be a conflict of interest.

The IHP rules provide for the appointment of a sole arbitrator or a panel of three, which is determined on a case-by-case basis. The chair of an arbitration panel will always be legally qualified and wing members come from a broader range of professional backgrounds, such as medical professionals, scientists, psychologists and ex-professional athletes.

The Hearing Panel, in consultation with the parties, will determine the timetable for proceedings. This will include deadlines for filing of submissions and a hearing date.

The Athlete or other Person being charged with the anti-doping rile violation has the right to request a public hearing. The anti-doping organisation may also request a public hearing, provided that the other party consents to the same.

The hearing panel may deny the request for a public hearing for the grounds outlined in the IHP rules.

The Decision will be given in writing, with detailed reasons, within three (3) weeks of the conclusion of the hearing or the closing of the evidentiary phase when the dispute is decided based on written submissions. The decisions are distributed by e-mail to the parties, and those with a right of appeal to the Decision.

The parties may request an operative award with written reasons to follow if the matter is urgent. E.g. Provisional Suspension application of an Athlete wishing to participate in an imminent event.

Where an ADRV has been found, the Anti-Doping organisation will publish the decision in accordance with its anti-doping rules.

Right of appeal to an IHP Decision is outlined in the Rules.