Originally from The Law and Practice of International Arbitration: Essays in Honor of John Fellas – Preview Page

I. INTRODUCTION 

Sports arbitration is a specialized system for resolving disputes in the world of sports through a dedicated arbitration process. It has a history spanning more than 40 years. The International Olympic Committee (OIC) “established the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 1983 because of the perceived need within Olympic and international sport circles for a speedy, sport-specific and confidential dispute resolution process.”2 This essay explains how the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) functions, outlining the procedural mechanisms involved, the available avenues for challenging its decisions, and the selection and role of arbitrators. Following these definitions, the essay briefly examines whether the CAS system ensures fairness or if it compromises the delivery of justice. To this end, the essay analyzes four notable cases in the history of CAS. While these are not the only decisions that have drawn criticism, each is either among the most controversial or represents one of the earliest instances of a CAS award being set aside. The essay concludes with a summary of its findings.