Hong Kong, 11 December 2025 – In response to the sports sector’s growing demand for professional and efficient dispute resolution mechanisms, and to further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international centre for law and major sports events, the “Launch Ceremony and Thematic Forum of the Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution,” jointly organised by the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong SAR Government (DoJ), AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCO‑HKRAC), and eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre (eBRAM), was successfully held today at the Kai Tak Sports Park Stadium. The event brought together government officials, representatives of sports organisations, legal, mediation and arbitration experts, athletes, and stakeholders from various sectors to witness the official commencement of Hong Kong’s first dispute resolution mechanism dedicated to the sports community.
About the Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution
The Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution aims to implement the policy direction announced by the Chief Executive in the 2024 Policy Address, which is to leverage Hong Kong’s institutional strengths in dispute resolution to explore the establishment of a sports dispute resolution system and promote the wider use of sports mediation and arbitration. This is the first and currently the only sports dispute resolution pilot initiative in Hong Kong launched through a government‑funded Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
To support the development of the Scheme, the Government earlier established the Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution, comprising representatives from the Law Society of Hong Kong (LSHK), the Hong Kong Bar Association (HKBA), the Department of Justice, and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB). The Committee provides advice to the Government on the design, establishment and implementation of the Scheme.
On 21 November 2025, the Department of Justice announced the results of the Invitation for Joint Proposals for the operation of the Scheme. The appointment followed an open and rigorous selection process. The Advisory Committee conducted a stringent assessment of all proposals received based on the published evaluation criteria. AALCO‑HKRAC was selected as the administrative body of the Scheme, while eBRAM was chosen as the technology provider. Both institutions will be jointly responsible for the execution and operation of the Scheme. The Scheme will operate for two years, providing mediation and arbitration services for both commercial and non‑commercial sports disputes.
Cross‑sector Collaboration and Official Launch
The launch ceremony was officiated by Dr. Cheung Kwok‑kwan, SBS, JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR Government; Miss Law Shuk Pui, Rosanna, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; and Mr Liu Chunhua, the Director-General of the Department of Law of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR.
Following the ceremony, Dr Cheung Kwok‑kwan, SBS, JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong SAR Government; Mr Nick Chan, BBS, MH, JP, Director of AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre, Hong Kong Deputy to the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China and Incoming Member of the Legislative Council; and Dr. Thomas So, JP, Chairman of eBRAM, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Incoming Member of the Legislative Council, jointly signed the Memorandum of Understanding. This marks the formal commencement of collaboration among the Department of Justice, AALCO‑HKRAC, and eBRAM to implement the Scheme and provide authoritative, accessible, and affordable mediation and arbitration services for local athletes and sports organisations.
Panel Discussion Highlighting Hong Kong’s Institutional Strengths
The thematic discussion session, titled “Understanding Sports Disputes: Hong Kong’s Advantages,” was moderated by Mr Dennis Cai ,Deputy Director of AALCO‑HKRAC.
Mr. Leung Wai Man, Raymond, Chairman of the Karatedo Federation of Hong Kong, China, shared practical insights from the perspective of sports governing bodies. He noted that selection and disciplinary disputes directly affect athletes’ careers, while traditional resolution channels often face challenges in cost and efficiency. He expressed support for the Scheme, recognising that it will bring professional, flexible, and confidential solutions to the sector, and highlighted the benefits of online platforms in overcoming geographical and scheduling constraints faced by athletes.
Ms Leona Cheung, Principal Government Counsel ,Department of Justice Secretary for Justice’s Office Legal Enhancement and Development Office explained that the Scheme was conceived based on in‑depth research into the practical needs of the sports sector. It aims to provide an efficient and impartial “third pathway” for disputes commonly arising from selection, disciplinary actions, and contracts, while leveraging Hong Kong’s robust legal foundation and international talent pool. She also noted that government funding will substantially reduce barriers to access.
Mr Albert Leung, Acting Chief Executive Officer of eBRAM, remarked that the Scheme will adopt a secure and reliable online platform to process disputes, overcoming geographical limitations and improving efficiency and cost‑effectiveness through streamlined and standardised procedures.
Prof. Christopher To, Chartered Arbitrator, Accredited Mediator, Barrister, and Mediator of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), further elaborated that compared with the CAS, the Pilot Scheme offers advantages in cost and cultural understanding when handling non‑commercial disputes involving local athletes.
Fireside Chat: Listening to the Sports Sector and Looking to the Future
The subsequent fireside chat, titled “Ready at the Starting Line: Industry Perspectives and Future Sports Development,” was moderated by Mr Ronald Shum, JP, Vice‑Chairman of eBRAM.
Mr. Hau Pak Sun, representative of the Football Association Hong Kong, China remarked that the introduction of a neutral and professional third‑party dispute resolution mechanism can strengthen governance credibility, enhance procedural integrity, and help sports associations effectively handle complex matters such as cross‑border contractual disputes.
Athlete representative Ms Juanita Mok shared that an authoritative, convenient, and low‑cost dispute resolution channel will enable athletes to focus more fully on training and competition, while giving them greater confidence in protecting their rights.
Mr Ron Lee, Director of Community Relations and Marketing of the Hong Kong Sports Institute, emphasised that beyond resolving current disputes, the Scheme can also contribute to long‑term development by equipping athletes with valuable knowledge and skills relevant to sports management, law, and arbitration, thereby expanding their career pathways after retirement.
Building a Strong Foundation for Sports Development and Enhancing Hong Kong’s International Appeal
The event marks a key milestone in strengthening Hong Kong’s sports ecosystem and advancing the professionalisation of the sports industry. Participants generally agreed that the Scheme acts both as a “safety net” and an “accelerator” for the sports sector. By providing predictable and low‑risk dispute resolution tools for athletes and organisations, the Scheme helps consolidate Hong Kong’s sports development from within while also demonstrating the city’s robust legal system and favourable business environment to the world. This boosts the confidence of major event organisers and commercial partners, enhancing Hong Kong’s overall appeal as an international city of major sports events.
The Scheme will run for two years. During this period, continuous feedback from the sector will be collected to further refine the services and build a sustainable model for sports dispute resolution. For non‑commercial sports disputes, eligible cases may receive government funding of up to HK$60,000 (subject to periodic review) to encourage wider use.
AALCO‑HKRAC expresses its sincere gratitude to the Department of Justice for its trust and support. As the administrative body of the Scheme, the Centre remains committed to professionalism and will work closely with eBRAM to ensure that this first‑of‑its‑kind sports dispute resolution service truly benefits Hong Kong athletes and sports organisations. The appointment is a strong affirmation of the Centre’s expertise, international standing, and long‑term dedication to advancing dispute resolution services. The Centre will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation and long‑term success of the Scheme.
