Based in Paris. Service available in Spanish.
International sports arbitration is the dispute resolution mechanism designed specifically for the world of sport. Unlike ordinary commercial arbitration, it operates under its own rules and before specialized institutions, because sports disputes have a particular nature: they involve parties from different countries, are governed by international federative regulations, and require swift resolutions that do not interrupt the course of competitions.
The reference institution is the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. It is the highest authority for resolving disputes in international sport and acts as an appellate tribunal against decisions of the major federations, including FIFA, UEFA and the International Olympic Committee.
More than 25 athletes represented since 2021“Language should not be an additional barrier in a process that is already demanding enough. We appear before the CAS and FIFA in Spanish.”
We represent our clients before the leading international sports arbitration institutions. Each institution has its own rules, deadlines and formal requirements. Understanding these differences is essential to building a solid strategy from day one.
Ordinary and appeals arbitration in international sports disputes. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The highest authority for resolving disputes in world sport.
Resolution of international football disputes relating to employment contracts, transfers, compensation and solidarity mechanisms.
International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), Basketball Arbitral Tribunal (BAT) and French national federations depending on the case.
Our support covers every stage of the proceedings: from the analysis of the case and the competent institution to the final award, including the drafting of submissions, evidentiary strategy and representation before the tribunal. One of our founding partners is an accredited arbitrator before the CAS, which gives us privileged insight into the internal workings of these institutions.
Case analysis
We assess the competent institution, the applicable rules and the viability of the claim. The choice of forum is decisive for the outcome.
Letter of claim
Before initiating formal proceedings, we send a formal letter to the club, federation or opposing party. In many cases this is enough to resolve the conflict.
Commencement of proceedings
We file the claim or the response before the relevant institution (CAS, FIFA DRC, BAT...) with all the required documentation and arguments.
Conduct of the arbitration
We manage the evidentiary phase, submissions and hearings, with specific knowledge of the standards of each sports arbitration institution.
Award and enforcement
The award is final and binding. If the losing party does not comply voluntarily, we initiate the corresponding enforcement proceedings.
International sports arbitration has rules, practices and strategies that are not learned at a general-practice firm. Appearing before the CAS or the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) without specific knowledge of these forums can jeopardize the entire claim, not for lack of merit in the case, but due to procedural errors or unfamiliarity with sports arbitration case law.
Some common mistakes we see in cases that come to us after a failed first attempt:
Filing claims out of time due to unfamiliarity with the specific rules of each institution.
Evidentiary strategy unsuited to the standard required in international sports arbitration.
Unfamiliarity with CAS case law applicable to the specific case.
Our specialization goes beyond representation: one of our founding partners is an accredited arbitrator before the CAS, which gives us privileged insight into the internal workings of these institutions.
For a Spanish-speaking athlete or club facing a dispute before the CAS or FIFA, language should not be an additional barrier in a process that is already demanding enough.
We are lawyers based in Paris, we speak Spanish, and we have specific training and practice in International Sports Law. Since 2021 we have represented more than 25 athletes, including footballers, rugby players, tennis players, cyclists and athletes from various countries.
Our clients come mainly from Spain, Colombia, Chile, Peru and Argentina. We understand their context, their contract, their situation, and we act accordingly.
From Paris, in Spanish