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The School of Law was delighted to host an historic event on Saturday, 15 November. For the first time in the history of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) a requested training workshop for CAS arbitrators took place outside Lausanne, Switzerland. Sport is deeply embedded in the culture of UL and along with its progressive School of Law, the workshop for CAS arbitrators in the Appellate Court, Glucksman Library provided an opportunity for important links to be forged between the School of Law, UL and the CAS. The format for the workshop was interactive as it adopted the “Tylney Hall” approach with topics submitted in advance by participants.

In his opening address to the members of the CAS, Professor Shane Kilcommins, Acting President, spoke of the cultural importance of sport to the University and creation of Ireland’s first degree in Physical Education commencing in 1973. Professor Kilcommins spoke of the work of Dr Laura Donnellan, Associate Professor in Law, and her recently published book, Sport and Law (2nd edn, Clarus 2025). Dr Donnellan is also Director of the Sports Law, Governance and Practice Research Cluster within the School of Law. Professor Kilcommins also referred to the recent adjunct appointments of Mr Klaus Reichert SC and Mr Cian P Kelly BL. Mr Reichert and Mr Kelly, both CAS arbitrators, were instrumental in bringing the CAS to UL.

The Manager for Training and Education at the CAS, Mr William Sternheimer, led the morning session which focused on practice and procedure. Dr Leanne O’Leary led the afternoon session which discussed substantive issues.

The successful event attracted CAS members from Switzerland, the United States, Norway and Ireland. The dedication and foresightedness of UL in connection with sport was highlighted. It is planned that an arbitrators’ workshop will take place again in Autumn/Winter 2026. It is envisaged that this workshop will be run in conjunction with another event that would include students.

A huge thank you to Ms Josephine Conway, our Senior Administrator. Thank you to Professor Lucy Ann Buckley for supporting the event. To Dr Laura Donnellan, Mr Klaus Reichert and Mr Cian Kelly for organising the event. To PhD student, Mr Dara O’Brien for gathering email addresses. A big thank you to Professor Kilcommins, Mr William Sternheimer and Dr Leanne O’Leary. To Ms Angela Liddy, Mr Dara O’Brien and Mr Damian Clancy for attending the event.

Pictured from left to right:
Mr Damian Clancy, PhD candidate and non-practising solicitor in England and Wales,
Cian P Kelly, Barrister at Law, Arbitrator at the CAS and Adjunct Associate Professor of Practice in International Commercial Arbitration at the School of Law, UL,
Dr Leanne O’Leary, Assistant Professor/Lecturer in Maynooth University and dual qualified solicitor in New Zealand and England/Wales, Arbitrator at the CAS,
Ms Dominique Brown-Berset, Founding Partner of Brown & Page, Arbitrator at the CAS,
Mr William Sternheimer, Manager for Training and Education at the CAS,
Mr Klaus Reichert, SC, based at Brick Court Chambers in London, Arbitrator at the CAS and Adjunct Associate Professor of Practice in International Commercial Arbitration at the School of Law, UL,
Mr Pat Barriscale, Barrister at Law, Arbitrator at the CAS,
Mr Scott Bearby, Chief Legal Officer in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Arbitrator at the CAS,
Mr Mathias Lilleengen, Attorney-at-law/Partner at Kleven & Kristensen, Arbitrator at the CAS,
Mr Dara O’Brien, PhD candidate.