The University of Limerick will welcome representatives of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) this week for a two-day programme dedicated to international sports arbitration and the resolution of disputes in sport.

The programme builds on the success of last year’s inaugural CAS arbitrators’ workshop at the University of Limerick, which provided a valuable opportunity for arbitrators to exchange expertise and engage with developments in international sports dispute resolution. The return of CAS to Limerick for a second consecutive year reflects the University’s growing relationship with the international sports arbitration community.

The events, taking place on Friday 6 November and Saturday 7 November 2026, are being organised by Klaus Reichert SC Of Brick Court Chambers, London and Cian Kelly BL, both adjunct faculty members of the University of Limerick School of Law and experienced international arbitrators.

A particular highlight will be the participation of William Sternheimer, manager for education and training at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who will speak at both Friday’s seminar and Saturday’s specialist arbitrators’ workshop.

Friday afternoon’s seminar will bring together legal practitioners, academics, students and representatives of sporting organisations to explore the role of CAS in the international sporting landscape and the increasing importance of arbitration as a mechanism for resolving sports disputes.

Speakers will include William Sternheimer, Klaus Reichert SC, Cian Kelly BL, Professor Lucy-Ann Buckley, head of the University of Limerick School of Law, and Dr Laura Donnellan, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Limerick.

The University of Limerick is home to an established Sports Law Research Cluster, bringing together academic expertise in sports law, governance and regulation. The CAS programme complements this research activity and reflects the University’s wider commitment to advancing scholarship and professional engagement in sports law and international dispute resolution.

The programme will continue on Saturday with the second CAS arbitrators’ workshop to be hosted at the University of Limerick, following the highly successful inaugural event in 2025.

Attendance at Saturday’s workshop will be restricted to CAS arbitrators, providing a specialist forum for professional development, the exchange of experience and discussion of the practical and procedural aspects of international sports arbitration.

The workshop will feature William Sternheimer alongside experienced CAS arbitrators and will provide an opportunity to build upon the professional relationships and discussions established at last year’s event.

Cian Kelly BL, a CAS arbitrator and chair of the Bar of Ireland ADR & Arbitration Committee, said: “We are delighted to welcome William Sternheimer from the Court of Arbitration for Sport back to the University of Limerick following the tremendous success of our inaugural CAS arbitrators’ workshop last year.

“That event demonstrated the value of bringing international sports arbitrators together in Ireland to exchange experience and expertise, and we are particularly pleased to build on that success with an expanded two-day programme this year.

“The Court of Arbitration for Sport plays a central role in the international sporting landscape, resolving disputes across a wide range of sporting disciplines. Friday’s seminar will provide an opportunity for members of the legal profession, students and those involved in sports administration to engage directly with this important area of international arbitration.

“Saturday’s workshop will provide CAS arbitrators with a dedicated forum for professional engagement, reflecting the importance of continued dialogue and the exchange of experience among those entrusted with resolving disputes in international sport.

“Ireland has a proud sporting tradition, and there is considerable potential to further develop expertise in sports arbitration within the Irish legal profession. The University of Limerick, with its established Sports Law Research Cluster and internationally recognised sporting and academic environment, is a particularly appropriate venue for these events.

“We hope that this will become an established annual gathering of CAS arbitrators in Ireland, further strengthening the University’s connections with the international sports arbitration community.”

The return of CAS to the University of Limerick for a second consecutive year highlights the School of Law’s engagement with international arbitration, sports law and alternative dispute resolution, while reinforcing the University’s role as a forum for academic and professional collaboration in international sports law.

Attendance and registration

Legal practitioners interested in attending Friday afternoon’s seminar are invited to contact Josephine Conway at Josephine.Conway@ul.ie for further information and to register their interest.

Saturday’s specialist workshop is restricted to CAS arbitrators.

Event details

Friday 6 November 2026: Court of Arbitration for Sport Seminar, University of Limerick. Open to interested legal practitioners, academics, students and representatives of sporting organisations.

Saturday 7 November 2026: Second CAS Arbitrators’ Workshop, University of Limerick. Attendance restricted to CAS arbitrators.