Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland was established by the Federation of Irish Sport (“the Federation”) in response to the increasing prevalence of sporting litigation and the recognition, as endorsed by the High Court, that the courts are not the appropriate forum for the resolution of such disputes. SDSI is an independent specialised dispute resolution service for Irish Sport offering both a mediation and arbitration facility.

Sport Dispute Solutions Ireland is a fair, inexpensive and expeditious method of resolving disputes that remain unresolved after all the procedures owed for within the sport have been exhausted. In particular, the SDSI mediation procedure assists in avoiding more confrontational or costly methods of resolution for disagreements, conflicts or disputes with sport.

As of 2014, Sport Ireland funded bodies are required to be signed up to a dispute resolution mechanism. In many instances SDSI is provided for within the rules of a sporting body for such function.

It is a principal aim of SDSI that the mediation and arbitration processes offered by it will be cost-effective. We recognise that resources for many sports organisations and amateur athletes are scarce. SDSI therefore seeks to provide a more favourable alternative to pursuing what can be an expensive, protracted High Court action with all the potential for adverse publicity and damaging relations, such an action can entail, largely avoided. SDSI has been designed so that the parties need not be represented by lawyers, whether they are a sporting body, a national governing body or an athlete. Parties may of course choose to employ legal representation.

SDSI invites applicants to apply for the Mediations and or Arbitration panels for the next term, 2025-2029. A details application form and criteria are set out in the link below.

https://sportdisputesolutions.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SDSI_Panel_Application-2025-2029.pdf

Applications will close at 5pm, Monday, 4th November 2024.