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 international inter-governmental organisation that was founded in 1956 and now with 48 countries as member states comprising of the major states from Asia and Africa. AALCO has established regional disputes resolution centres in Asia and Africa to help prevent and resolve disputes, including sports industry related disputes. There of the six AALCO Arbitration Centres regularly resolve sports industry related disputes, and in addition two of our AALCO 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 centres for the Court of Arbitration for Sports (“CAS”) in Switzerland. AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (“AALCO-HKRAC”) has successfully helped to resolve sports industry-related disputes and our centre is also committed to significantly contributing to sports dispute resolution in the region.
AALCO-HKRAC, the only arbitration institution in Hong Kong that is established by operation of international laws, operates under the agreement signed between AALCO and the Central People’s Government of China. This unique status grants AALCO-HKRAC privileges and immunities as an international organisation. AALCO-HKRAC has been entrusted to help coordinate and promote the wider use of mediation and arbitration rules in various sectors, including the sports industry, in the Asian and Pacific regions.
II. Industry Insights Series – Sports Industry Module
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 needs for sports disputes resolvers in the region which is supported by the 2024 policy address by the HKSAR 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-HKRAC, together with the Hong Kong Olympic Academy as co-organizer, will be holding sports mediation classes with Sports to increase the depth of talents on sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong and beyond, to serve as regional and international hub for sports related disputes resolution to contribute to the proper governance and growth of the Sports Industry.
III. Empanelment of AALCO-HKRAC Panels
AALCO-HKRAC has two panels of mediators, respectively,
- AALCO-HKRAC Panel of Mediators (General) and
- AALCO-HKRAC Sports Mediation Panel.
These panels serve as a talent pool for commercial and sports industry-related mediation for local, cross-border and international cases. Many of our mediators are from the 48 AALCO member states in Asia, Africa and beyond.
The AALCO(Med) Training 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.
Successful candidates with our AALCO(Med) Training can apply for the empanelment of the mediation panels of AALCO-HKRAC subject to approval by the AALCO-HKRAC or its relevant committee.
Candidates who have also completed the Sports Module or demonstrated sufficient knowledge and experience in handling sports industry-related matters may also be listed on the AALCO-HKRAC Sports Mediation Panel.
IV. AALCO(Med) Training Programme
The Programme comprises two stages: Stage 1 (Lectures), and Stage 2 (Assessment).
Stage 1 (Lectures) of the Programme will equip attendees with skills and knowledge to handle mediation. The sessions cover preparation for mediation, negotiation fundamentals, various mediation models, mediator’s roles, approach to mediation, mediation skills, and the use of technology in mediation.
Stage 2 (Assessment) aims to evaluate the candidates’ capability to act as a mediator in 2 assessments of mediation cases. (Assessments are tentatively scheduled for March and April 2025)
Schedule of Fees
Stage 1 (Lectures) | Fee (HKD) |
3-day Mediation Training Programme | 15,000 |
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Stage 2 (Assessment) | Fee (HKD) |
First attempter (2 role-play cases) | 10,000 |
Repeater (each role-play case) | 4,000 |
V. Eligibility of the “AALCO(Med)” & “AALCO (Sports Med) postnominals
1. Completion of AALCO(Med) Training Programme
Candidates who completed both Stage 1 (Lectures) and Stage 2 (Assessment) to the satisfaction of AALCO-HKRAC will be entitled to inclusion to the relevant AALCO-HKRAC's panels of mediators and use the following exclusive postnominals in their profiles.
- “AALCO(Med)” and
- “AALCO(Sports Med)” if InSports Module is completed
Upon completion of both Stage 1 (Lectures) and Stage 2 (Assessment), candidates will be entitled to use the postnominals "AALCO (Med)" and "AALCO (Sports Med)" (if InSports Module is completed).
Those who have completed only Stage 1 will be entitled to associate postnominals, “AALCO (AMed)” and “AALCO (Sports AMed)”.
It is crucial for successful candidates to meet the minimum CPD requirements and pay the Administrative Annual Fee to uphold their eligibility and entitlement to the above postnominals.
Fee (HKD per annum) | ||
Administrative Annual Fee | HKD 800 | |
2. Exemption
Experienced mediators who are seeking to acquire the “AALCO(Med)” or “AALCO(Sports 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.