I. AALCO Disputes Settlement System & Sports Dispute Resolution
Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO) is a significant force contributing to public and private international law developments. It is an inter-governmental organisation that was founded in 1956 and now with 48 member states comprising of the major states from Asia and Africa. Among other areas, AALCO has shown significant commitment to sport dispute resolution. Two of the six AALCO Arbitration Centres, namely AALCO’s Asian International Arbitration Centre (“AIAC”) in Malaysia and the AALCO’s Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (“CRCICA”) in Egypt, serve as alternative hearing centers for the Court of Arbitration for Sports (“CAS”) in Switzerland. AALCO-HKRAC has successful experience in resolving sports industry-related disputes under our rules in 2024 and is also committed to significantly contributing to sports dispute resolution in the region.
AALCO-HKRAC, the only arbitration institution established by international laws in Hong Kong, operates under the agreement signed by AALCO and the Central People’s Government of China. This unique status grants AALCO-HKRAC privileges and immunities as an international organisation. AALCO and our Central Government have entrusted AALCO-HKRAC, among many other roles, with a crucial role of promoting the wider use of mediation and arbitration rules in various sectors, including the sports industry, in the Asian and Pacific regions, thereby significantly influencing the dispute resolution landscape.
II. Industrial Insights Series – Sports Industry-related Dispute Resolution
Professional analysts estimate that by 2028, the global sports market value will surpass US$680 billion. To unlock the potential of the booming sports market and actively respond to the vision laid out in the 2024 policy address by the Chief Executive with the encouraging remark that “Hong Kong will explore establishing a sports dispute resolution system and promote sports arbitration, leveraging the institutional advantages of Hong Kong in dispute resolution”, AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (“AALCO-HKRAC”) has received positive feedback from the Hong Kong Olympic Academy, and AALCO-HKRAC has included Industry Insights Series on sports dispute resolution to its upcoming AALCO(Med) Accreditation Programme, to increase the depth of talents on sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong.
III. Eligibility of the “AALCO(Med)” postnominal
- Completion of AALCO(Med) Accreditation Programme
Candidates who completed the both Stage 1 and Stage 2 to the satisfaction of AALCO-HKRAC will be entitled to use the exclusive postnominal “AALCO(Med)” in their profiles, subject to any terms and conditions on this matter published by the AALCO-HKRAC.
- Exemption
Experienced mediators who are seeking to be accredited as AALCO(Med) or apply for empanelment of mediation panels of AALCO-HKRAC may apply for exemption from any or both of these Courses by submitting relevant information by email [email protected].)
AALCO-HKRAC may also on its own initiative to accredit suitably qualified professionals and confer the use of AALCO(Med) postnominal.
IV. Empanelment of AALCO-HKRAC Panels
The AALCO(Med) Accreditation Programme not only significantly contributes to the mediator training (including but not limited to sports industry members), but also paves the way for professionals with diverse backgrounds to apply to join our panels of mediators. This offers an excellent opportunity to advance their careers in dispute resolution, making the programme a valuable investment in their professional growth.
Candidates with AALCO(Med) accreditation are deemed eligible to apply for the empanelment of the AALCO-HKRAC Panel of Mediators (General) subject to approval by the AALCO-HKRAC or its relevant committee.
Candidates who have completed Course B sports dispute resolution or demonstrated sufficient knowledge and experience in handling sports industry-related matters may also be listed on the AALCO-HKRAC Sports Mediation Panel.