Supporting Hong Kong Mediation Week: Advancing Sports Dispute Resolution through LawTech

Supporting Hong Kong Mediation Week: Advancing Sports Dispute Resolution through LawTech ⚖️🏸⚽

eBRAM was honoured to support Hong Kong Mediation Week, co-organising the “Sports Mediation Seminar” with the Department of Justice and the Asia-Africa Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre. The seminar brought together stakeholders from the legal, sports and dispute resolution sectors to explore the evolving landscape of sports dispute resolution in Hong Kong.

The Seminar was opened with a welcoming address by Dr. CHEUNG Kwok-kwan, SBS, JP, Deputy Secretary for Justice. Distinguished speakers included Mr. Ronald Sum, JP, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of eBRAM, Professor Nick Chan, Director of AALCO Hong Kong Regional Centre, Mr. Keith Chan, Member of the Legal Affairs Committee of The Football Association of Hong Kong, China, Mr. Daniel Chan Ho Yuen, MH, Paralympic Wheelchair Badminton Medallist, and Ms. Queenie Lau SC. Moderated by Mr. Hau Pak-sun, Member of the Advisory Committee on Sports Dispute Resolution, the speakers shared practical experiences and insights on the Pilot Scheme from the perspectives of athletes, legal professionals and sports administrators.

As one of the LawTech service providers under the Sports Dispute Resolution Pilot Scheme, eBRAM provides end-to-end online dispute resolution (ODR) platform support, facilitating digital case management, online mediation and arbitration, and cross-border participation.

During the panel discussion, Ronald Sum, JP, Vice Chairman of eBRAM, shared key insights on the role of legal technology in sports dispute resolution. He highlighted that:

▶️Sports disputes are highly time-sensitive, requiring efficient and responsive mechanisms
▶️ODR enables real-time communication, remote participation, and streamlined procedures, significantly reducing time and cost
▶️Technology facilitates cross-border dispute resolution, ensuring athletes can participate in proceedings without disrupting their professional commitments
▶️The integration of tools such as AI translation, secure data management, and digital processes enhances both efficiency and trust

Looking ahead, eBRAM will continue to support the development of sports dispute resolution by adopting “mediation first, arbitration next” as a core principle. Through the integrated application of LawTech tools, eBRAM aims to provide a fair, efficient, and accessible mechanism for the sports sector. It will also continue to strengthen training and capacity building, contributing to Hong Kong’s development as an international hub for sports dispute resolution.