ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 10th August. Click Here for more information.
Source- This post on Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has been created based on the article “CAS arbitrator calls Vinesh’s axing draconian, but sticks to rules” published in “Hindustan times” on 21 August 2024.
Why in News?
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) recently upheld the decision to disqualify Vinesh Phogat from the Paris Olympics for exceeding the weight limit by 100 grams.
About Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
| Aspects | Description |
| About | 1. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is an independent body. It handles disputes related to sports through arbitration and mediation. It operates separately from any sports organization. 2. CAS has nearly 300 arbitrators from 87 different countries, all experts in arbitration and sports law. Every year, around 300 cases are handled by CAS. 3. CAS procedures are conducted in French or English, although another language may be used under certain conditions. |
| Establishment | CAS was established in 1984 and operates under the administrative and financial control of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS). |
| Headquarter | CAS is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, with additional offices in Sydney, Australia, and New York, USA. |
| Function of CAS | 1. Legal Dispute Resolution: The main function of CAS is to resolve sports-related legal disputes through arbitration. The decisions made by CAS have the same enforceability as court judgments. 2. Mediation Services: CAS can also help parties resolve their disputes amicably through mediation, provided this option is permitted. 3. Special Tribunals for Major Events: CAS sets up temporary tribunals for major events like the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, using special procedural rules tailored to each event. |
| Types of Disputes CAS Handles | CAS can handle any disputes related to sports, whether they are of a commercial nature (like sponsorship agreements) or disciplinary issues (such as doping cases). |
| Who Can Bring a Case to CAS | Any individual or organization involved in sports, such as athletes, clubs, sports federations, event organizers, sponsors, or TV companies, can bring a case to CAS. |
| Applicable Law | Parties can choose the applicable law. If they don’t, Swiss law applies. Decisions are based on the regulations of the relevant sports body, with the law of the body’s home country as a fallback. |
UPSC Syllabus: International organisation
