On 16 and 17 April 2026, the International Law and Human Rights Unit of the University of Liverpool is organizing a workshop entitled 'Impact of Strasbourg and Luxembourg Courts on Lex Sportiva'. The workshop will focus on the impact of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights as well as the judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union on the regime regulating sport. The workshop will take place in person in Liverpool. Here is more information on the workshop and the call for abstracts:
'Sport has traditionally been viewed as an autonomous system, capable of regulating itself
without external legal intervention. This autonomy is widely acknowledged by states and
international bodies, including the EU and the Council of Europe. Its legislative dimension is
reflected in the extensive self-regulatory powers of international sports federations,
culminating in the development of a lex sportiva—a transnational body of rules governing
sporting competition. Judicial autonomy is exercised through internal disciplinary
mechanisms and a distinct system of sports justice, headed by the Court of Arbitration for
Sport (CAS). CAS functions as the supreme judicial authority of the sporting world, wielding
considerable influence owing to the broad acceptance of its jurisdiction. However, such
autonomous regimes raise significant legal concerns. In modern sport, decisions with
far-reaching consequences for athletes’ livelihoods, private lives, health and reputations are
made within this system, meaning that sports organisations’ extensive powers can directly
affect athletes’ fundamental human rights. Recent developments increasingly challenge the
autonomy and monopolistic power of sports governing bodies, calling into question the
sustainability of the current model. International courts now play a greater role, as illustrated
by the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Semenya v Switzerland and the
ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Seraing v Belgium. This workshop will
examine how these courts may influence the sports regulatory regime—both positively and
negatively—and how they might strengthen the protection of athletes’ human rights.
Recent developments increasingly challenge the autonomy and monopolistic power of
sports governing bodies, calling into question the sustainability of the current model.
International courts now play a greater role, as illustrated by the judgment of the European
Court of Human Rights in Semenya v Switzerland and the ruling of the Court of Justice of the
European Union in Seraing v Belgium. This workshop will examine how these courts may
influence the sports regulatory regime—both positively and negatively—and how they might
strengthen the protection of athletes’ human rights.
Confirmed key-note speakers:
Marko Bošnjak (Court of Justice of the European Union, Former President of the European Court of Human Rights)
Johan Callewaert (University of Louvain, Former Deputy Grand Chamber Registrar of the European Court of Human Rights (2006-2025))
Schona Jolly KC (Cloisters Chambers)
Seema Patel (Nottingham Trent University)
Daniel Rietiker (Registry of the European Court of Human Rights, University of Lausanne)
Timeline:
The cover letters and abstracts of no more than 300 words should be submitted to Rima.Yustikaningrum@liverpool.ac.uk before 6 pm UK time on 16 January 2026. The cover letter should include the name or names of the author(s), their positions and affiliated institutions, and preferred email addresses.
By 1 February 2026, the authors of the selected abstracts will be invited to submit short papers of no more than 8,000 words. These papers must be submitted by 31 March 2026. Only authors who submit a paper by the deadline will be invited to participate in the workshop.
Logistics:
The workshop will take place in Liverpool, UK. This is an in-person event, online participation will not be possible. Participants who require a UK visa may request an official invitation letter; however, we are unable to provide any additional assistance, and we regret that we cannot cover the costs of visa applications.
Participation in the workshop is free of charge for speakers, but we are unable to cover travel or accommodation expenses. Please note that an additional fee may be required for those wishing to attend the conference dinner.
All papers of publishable quality are planned to be published in an edited collection.
For any questions and clarifications, please get in touch with Ms Rima Yustikaningrum Rima.Yustikaningrum@liverpool.ac.uk'
