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Lex Sportiva: What is Sports Law? pp 123–148Cite as

Lex Sportiva and Lex Ludica: the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s Jurisprudence

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Part of the book series: ASSER International Sports Law Series ((ASSER))

Abstract

What does the jurisprudence of the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) reveal about international sports law? It is claimed that CAS applies lex sportiva; distinct universal legal principles of sports law. The author argue that lex sportiva is an imprecise term covering different concepts. The awards of CAS are studied and it is argued that five different legal principles are employed: a lex ludica, good governance, procedural fairness, harmonisation of standards between international sporting federations and equitable treatment. These principles are then explained and illustrated by reference to arbitration awards of CAS. It is concluded from this case law that CAS has several functions and that its work could fit various models of adjudication. Each of these functions corresponds to a different legal model of its purpose and in turn to one of the five jurisprudential principles explained in the article. CAS needs to recognise that it has different functions. The danger is that it will be seen solely as part of the private regulatory power of international sporting federations. The imposition of mandatory arbitration by sporting federations may then appear to be a method of avoiding proper legal processes and standards.

Previously published in: Ian S. Blackshaw, Robert C.R. Siekmann and Janwillem Soek (eds), The Court of Arbitration for Sport 1984–2004, The Hague 2006, pp. 420–440.

Formerly University of Warwick.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    CAS 2002/O/372.

  2. 2.

    CAS 2002/O/372; para. 65 at fn.15.

  3. 3.

    Foster 2003.

  4. 4.

    CAS 98/200.

  5. 5.

    98/200; Digest, Vol. 2 p. 38; para. 156, at p.102.

  6. 6.

    CAS OG Atlanta 1996/006.

  7. 7.

    OG 96/006, Digest Vol 1. p. 413 para. 13.

  8. 8.

    OG 96/006, Digest Vol 1. p. 413 para. 13.

  9. 9.

    OG 96/006, Digest Vol 1. p. 413 para. 13.

  10. 10.

    OG 96/006, Digest Vol 1. p. 413 paras. 13–14.

  11. 11.

    CAS OG Sydney 2000/13: Digest Vol. 2 p. 680.

  12. 12.

    CAS OG Sydney 2000/13: Digest Vol. 2 p. 680. para. 17.

  13. 13.

    CAS OG Sydney 2000/12.

  14. 14.

    CAS OG Sydney 2000/12 Digest Vol. 2 p. 674. para. 13.

  15. 15.

    CAS OG Sydney 2000/12 Digest Vol. 2 p. 674. para. 13.

  16. 16.

    2000/A/305; Digest Vol. 2 p. 567.

  17. 17.

    CAS OG Nagano 1998/004-005; Digest Vol. 1 p. 435.

  18. 18.

    CAS OG Nagano 1998/004-005; Digest Vol. 1 p. 435; para. 29.

  19. 19.

    CAS 96/157: Digest Vol. 1 p. 351.

  20. 20.

    CAS 96/157: Digest Vol. 1 p. 351: para. 22.

  21. 21.

    CAS 96/157: Digest Vol. 1 p. 351: para. 22.

  22. 22.

    CAS 2000/C/267: Digest Vol. 2 p. 725.

  23. 23.

    CAS OG Nagano 98/002: Digest Vol. 1 p. 419.

  24. 24.

    CAS OG Nagano 98/002: Digest Vol. 1 p. 419; paras. 26–7.

  25. 25.

    CAS 94/129; Digest Vol. 1 p. 187.

  26. 26.

    CAS 94/129; Digest Vol. 1 p.187; para. 34.

  27. 27.

    CAS 98/185; Digest Vol. 2 p. 469.

  28. 28.

    CAS 99/A/230; Digest Vol. 2 p. 369.

  29. 29.

    CAS 99/A/230; Digest Vol. 2 p. 369; para. 10.

  30. 30.

    CAS 2000/A/262: Digest Vol. 2 p. 377.

  31. 31.

    CAS 2000/A/262: Digest Vol. 2 p. 377; para. 12.

  32. 32.

    CAS 98/209; Digest Vol. 2 p. 500.

  33. 33.

    CAS 98/209; Digest Vol. 2 p. 500; para. 6.

  34. 34.

    CAS 2000/A/274; Digest Vol. 2 p. 389.

  35. 35.

    CAS 2000/A/274; Digest Vol. 2 p. 389; para. 34 p. 399.

  36. 36.

    CAS OG Salt Lake City 02/002.

  37. 37.

    2000/A/278; Digest Vol. 2 p. 534.

  38. 38.

    2000/A/278; Digest Vol. 2 p. 534; para. 10.

  39. 39.

    CAS 96/153; Digest Vol. 1 p. 335.

  40. 40.

    CAS 96/153; Digest Vol. 1 p. 335; para. 26(h).

  41. 41.

    CAS 2000/A/260; Digest Vol. 2 p. 527.

  42. 42.

    CAS 2000/A/282; Digest Vol. 2 p. 542.

  43. 43.

    UEFA CAS 98/200; Digest Vol. 2 p. 38.

  44. 44.

    Morris and Little 1998.

  45. 45.

    CAS 98/211; Digest Vol. 2 p. 255.

  46. 46.

    CAS 98/211; Digest Vol. 2 p. 255; para 11. p. 264.

  47. 47.

    CAS 98/211; Digest Vol. 2 p. 255; para 8. p. 264.

  48. 48.

    CAS 98/212; Digest Vol. 2 p. 274.

  49. 49.

    CAS 98/212; Digest Vol. 2 p. 274: para. 23.

  50. 50.

    CAS 98/214; Digest Vol. 2 p. 308; para. 8.

  51. 51.

    CAS 98/192. Digest Vol. 2 p. 205.

  52. 52.

    CAS OG Sydney 2000/006; Digest Vol. 2 p. 633.

  53. 53.

    CAS OG Sydney 2000/015; Digest Vol. 2 p. 691.

  54. 54.

    CAS CG 02/001.

  55. 55.

    CAS CG 02/001; para. 5.6.

  56. 56.

    CAS OG Salt Lake City 02/001.

  57. 57.

    CAS OG Salt Lake City 02/001; para. 30.

  58. 58.

    CAS 96/157.

  59. 59.

    CAS 96/157; para. 24.

  60. 60.

    CAS 98/213; Digest Vol. 2 p. 283.

  61. 61.

    CAS 98/213; Digest Vol. 2 p. 283 para.17 p. 289.

  62. 62.

    CAS OG Salt Lake City 02/002.

  63. 63.

    CAS OG Salt Lake City 02/003.

  64. 64.

    CAS OG Salt Lake City 02/005.

  65. 65.

    CAS OG Salt Lake City 02/002.

  66. 66.

    CAS 97/180 Digest Vol. 2 p. 184; para. 8.

  67. 67.

    CAS 98/214 Digest Vol. 2 p. 308; para. 21.

  68. 68.

    98/200; Digest Vol. 2 p. 38; paras. 124–136, pp. 90–7.

  69. 69.

    CAS 98/212; Digest Vol. 2 p. 274.

  70. 70.

    CAS 99/A/246 Digest Vol. 2 p. 505.

  71. 71.

    CAS 99/A/246 Digest Vol. 2 p. 505; para. 32(c).

  72. 72.

    CAS OG Salt Lake City 02/006.

  73. 73.

    CAS 02/A/401.

  74. 74.

    A & B v IOC, judgment of 27 May 2003, 1st Civil Chamber, Swiss Federal Tribunal.

  75. 75.

    Foster 2003.

  76. 76.

    McConnaughay 1999.

  77. 77.

    CAS 2000/C/267; Digest Vol. 2 p. 725.

  78. 78.

    Beloff et al. 1999 p. 4.

References

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Most CAS awards are now published. References to awards can be found in:

  • Reeb M (1998) Digest of CAS awards vol I 1986–1998 (Kluwer Law International, The Hague)

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  • Reeb M (2002) Digest of CAS awards vol II 1998–2000 (Kluwer Law International, The Hague)

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  • Many awards are also published in the International Sports Law Review

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1.  , Coventry, UK

    Ken Foster

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  1. Ken Foster
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , ASSER International Sports Law Centre, T.M.C. Asser Institute, The Hague, 2500 GL, Netherlands

    Robert C.R. Siekmann

  2. , ASSER International Sports Law Centre, T.M.C. Asser Institute, The Hague, 2500 GL, Netherlands

    Janwillem Soek

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© 2012 T.M.C. ASSER PRESS, The Hague, The Netherlands, and the authors/editors

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Foster, K. (2012). Lex Sportiva and Lex Ludica: the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s Jurisprudence. In: Siekmann, R., Soek, J. (eds) Lex Sportiva: What is Sports Law?. ASSER International Sports Law Series. T.M.C. Asser Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-6704-829-3_7

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