Government announces results of invitation for joint proposals to operate pilot scheme on sports dispute resolution
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The pilot scheme is set to operate for a period of two years. It will provide a dedicated mechanism for resolving sports disputes through mediation and arbitration. The administering body will administer the pilot scheme and provide institutional support for the conduct of mediation and arbitration, including compiling specific mediation and arbitration rules, recruiting and appointing mediators and arbitrators, devising fee structures with the mediators and arbitrators and the parties, and administering the mediation and arbitration proceedings. The technology provider will provide the technological infrastructure and support required for the operation of the pilot scheme, with a view to promoting wider use of lawtech and online dispute resolution.
It is one of the policy initiatives of the Policy Address to establish a sports dispute resolution system and promote sports mediation and arbitration, leveraging the institutional advantages of Hong Kong in dispute resolution. The DoJ established the Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution, comprising representatives from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong early this year. It also invited proposals from interested dispute resolution institutions and online dispute resolution institutions for the operation of the pilot scheme in June. The Advisory Committee then conducted a rigorous review of the proposals received based on a set of published assessment criteria.
The assessment criteria cover a wide range of aspects, including the proponents' institutional infrastructure and expertise in providing sports disputes resolution services and technology platforms for dispute resolution services; corporate governance; a mechanism for avoiding conflict in handling cases; local and regional networks for promoting sports dispute resolution; experience in training, public education and promotion related to sports dispute resolution; and acceptance of the requirement that only a reasonable filing fee will be charged to the parties in specified subsidised cases for dispute resolution services provided under the pilot scheme.
The pilot scheme will be launched by the end of this year, and the two selected institutions will immediately commence relevant preparation work. The DoJ will announce further details of the pilot scheme in due course.
Ends/Friday, November 21, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:00
Issued at HKT 15:00
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