The AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre and the eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre have been selected to serve, respectively, as the administering body and the technology provider for a sports dispute resolution pilot scheme.

The Department of Justice today announced the results of an invitation for joint proposals for the scheme's operation.

To be launched by the end of this year, it will operate for a period of two years and provide a dedicated mechanism for resolving sports disputes through mediation and arbitration.

The administering body will provide institutional support for mediation and arbitration procedures. This includes compiling specific rules, recruiting and appointing mediators and arbitrators, devising fee structures, and administering proceedings.

The technology provider will provide the technological infrastructure and support required for the pilot scheme's operation, with a view to promoting wider use of lawtech and online dispute resolution.

The two selected institutions will immediately commence relevant preparation work.

The Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution, comprising representatives from the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau, the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong conducted a review of the proposals received based on a set of published assessment criteria.

These covered a wide range of aspects, including organisations' institutional expertise; their corporate governance frameworks; proposed mechanisms for avoiding conflict in handling cases; and their local and regional networks for promoting sports dispute resolution.