Author: Miguel Ángel Dávila 🇵🇪
Lawyer and CAS arbitrator

The article is also available in French and Spanish:

                                                               

Published and translated by the firm Winter – Dávila & Associés
Paris, 7 May 2025                                                                 

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), based in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the highest international authority in sports disputes, has just announced the opening of its first Alternative Hearing Centre in Ibero-America.

Indeed, on April 10, 2025, the Swiss arbitral tribunal announced that the selected city is Lima, following an agreement signed with the American Chamber of Commerce of Peru (AmCham).

Thus, the City of Kings automatically becomes the Ibero-American international hub for legal disputes in sport.

The purpose of this article is to answer the five most frequently asked questions the undersigned has received, both as a CAS arbitrator and, above all, as a Peruvian.

1. What is an Alternative Hearing Centre?

As the name suggests, it is an alternative venue for holding in-person hearings outside the ordinary – or habitual – headquarters located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

2. What is the legal basis for establishing an Alternative Hearing Centre?

According to paragraph 8 of Article S6 of the CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration, the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) – the body responsible for the operation of the CAS – is empowered to create regional, permanent or ad hoc arbitration structures, including alternative hearing centres.

YOU CAN ALSO READ: The four Chambers of The Court of Arbitration for Sport

3. Why is the CAS opening an Alternative Hearing Centre in Lima? Does this mean no more virtual hearings?

As is widely known, most CAS hearings are currently held remotely. This will continue.

However, in some cases, the Panel or the Sole Arbitrator – as the case may be – may determine that an in-person hearing is necessary.

In such situations, even when the dispute is between two Ibero-American parties, the hearing had to be held in Lausanne, which automatically increased arbitration costs, including airfare, per diems and accommodation.

From now on, when the parties are from Ibero-America, they will be able to travel to Lima for the hearing instead of having to go to Switzerland.

As you can imagine, this represents a major shift in terms of cost and time, since Peru’s capital is geographically privileged – just a few hours from most Ibero-American capitals – and offers significantly lower airfare, lodging and daily expenses compared to Switzerland.

Photo: CAS offices in Switzerland.

4. Can a decision issued after a hearing held in Lima be appealed before the Peruvian courts?

No. The Alternative Hearing Centre is only a physical location for holding the hearing.

In other words, any appeal of an award must still follow the ordinary path before the Swiss Federal Tribunal, in accordance with the CAS Code of Sports-related Arbitration and Swiss law.

YOU CAN ALSO READ: The evidences before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

5. Are there other CAS Alternative Hearing Centres?

Yes. According to the official website of the Swiss arbitral tribunal, other centres are located in:

  • New York, United States;

  • Sydney, Australia;

  • Cairo, Egypt;

  • Shanghai, China;

  • Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and

  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

LEGAL NOTICE: This article has been prepared for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for legal advice directed to particular circumstances. You should not take or refrain from taking any legal action based on the information contained without first seeking professional, individualized advice based on your own circumstances. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements.

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