The Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution (Pilot Scheme), launched by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and supported by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB), is a key initiative under the Policy Address. The Pilot Scheme aims to provide the sports sector with a fair, efficient and convenient mechanism for resolving sports disputes through mediation and arbitration, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s sports industry and promoting Hong Kong as an international centre for sports dispute resolution.

To implement the Pilot Scheme, the DoJ established the Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution, comprising representatives from the CSTB, the Hong Kong Bar Association, and the Law Society of Hong Kong in early 2025.

Following an open invitation for joint proposals for the operation of the Pilot Scheme in June 2025, the AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCO-HKRAC) was selected to administer the Pilot Scheme, with the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre providing the necessary technological infrastructure and online technical support.

The Pilot Scheme is set to operate for a period of two years and adopts a “mediation first, arbitration next” approach to resolve various types of sports disputes. The designated online platform for the Pilot Scheme commenced operations on 13 February 2026, and accepts applications for mediation and arbitration. The Pilot Scheme adopts a set of bespoke sports mediation and arbitration rules and maintains dedicated panels of sports mediators and arbitrators, comprising dispute resolution practitioners from the local legal and sports sectors and various jurisdictions, including experts in international sports mediation and arbitration. To facilitate the effective resolution of sports disputes, the Government provides subsidies for eligible cases under the Pilot Scheme.

The DoJ will continue to organise various promotional and capacity-building activities in collaboration with the legal and sports sectors to advance the Pilot Scheme and the development of sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong.

For details of the Pilot Scheme and Government subsidies, please visit AALCO-HKRAC’s dedicated website.